Houngan

A houngan is a priest in Haitian Vodou. The term is also used in Louisiana Voodoo traditions. The female equivalent of a houngan is a mambo. Houngans are responsible for leading religious ceremonies, performing rituals, and offering spiritual guidance to their congregations. They are believed to be intermediaries between the physical world and the spirit world, communicating with spirits known as lwa.

The training and initiation of a houngan is a rigorous and lengthy process. It typically involves years of study, apprenticeship under an experienced houngan or mambo, and a complex initiation ceremony. This ceremony often includes symbolic death and rebirth, signifying the individual's dedication to the spiritual path.

Houngans play a vital role in the community, offering healing, protection, and advice. They may perform divination, conduct rites of passage such as baptisms and marriages, and assist in resolving personal or communal problems. Their practices often involve drumming, chanting, dancing, and the use of offerings to appease and invoke the lwa. The specific practices and beliefs associated with houngans can vary between different Vodou societies and lineages.