Mambo

Initiation Rites

How does one become a Mambo? This happens often through blood lineage, that is, as a spiritual family inheritance and charge passed from a mother or father to their daughter. However, one may also become a Mambo as result of having been called—that is, chosen by a Lwa, a Vodu divinity, to serve him or her. The Lwa typically makes his or her wish known through divination, recurrent dreams, or a series of misfortunes that are later interpreted as a spiritual call.

Vodu, like all other African religious traditions, is an initiatory religion. Thus, to become a Mambo, one must undergo initiation. In addition to the period of isolation and seclusion typical of African initiation, and known as Kouche Kanzo, initiation into the Vodu priesthood includes, most significandy, a “visit” to Papa Loko, the patron of Mambos and Houngans. It is indeed from Papa Loko that Mambos (and Houngans) receive their Ason, a sacred beaded calabash used as a ratde and as the mark of the priesthood. When they take possession of their ason, the women become known by the full title of Mambos Asongwe. These are the only true Vodu priestesses. Mambos and Houngans also receive from Papa Loko a spiritual name, which they will use to identify themselves while in the company of their spiritual brothers and sisters, that is, other Houngans and Mambos.

Initiation into the priesthood is always an expensive proposition, and many may have to delay it until they have raised the necessary funds. Indeed, many sacrifices will have to be made and numerous items will have to be purchased; for example, the Lwa's favorite food and drinks to be presented to them during the initiation rituals; food and drinks for the visitors and other participants; and special clothes for the different ceremonies, which must be sewn. The drummers, who will be playing for several nights in a row, until sunrise, will also have to be paid. Until one is financially ready, they may undergo the first part of the initiation known as Lave tèt (“the washing of the head”), a ceremony during which one's hair will be [Page 402]washed seven times with a special mixture made with plants, as one cleans oneself spiritually in order to be able to receive the Lwa.

A Servant's Role

To become a Mambo means that one agrees to act as an intermediary between the Lwa and the people. In actuality, being a Mambo equates with being both a servant of the Lwa and a servant of the people. One of the functions of a Mambo is to perform divination. This allows the living to find out what may be going on or going wrong in their lives. It also allows the Lwa to inform the living of what they need to do to restore harmony and peace in their lives, if necessary. It is the Mambo's responsibility to assist the living in following the Lwa's recommendations. Thus, they must be willing to organize and lead whatever formal ritual may be required.

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