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Schools, Styles and Artists: Drapo Vodou : Spirit Flags

Josiane Joseph, VD-539, 19"x24,"

Sylva Joseph, Mazofer VD-513, 30"x30,"

Drapo Vodou is an art-form unique to Haiti. Constructed of sequins and beads hand-sewn onto fabric, these "flags" bring to life the dynamic iconography of Haitian Vodou. A fusion of African religious beliefs, Vodou evolved in Haiti through generations of slavery, and borrows heavily from imagery brought to Haiti by Catholic missionaries. With parallels in Cuban Santeria, Jamaican Obeah, and other religions of the African diaspora, Haitian Vodou has significant popular appeal in Haiti, finding expression in the social, political, and private realms.

Evelyne Alcide, La Sirene et Agwe SF-1152C, 35"x43,"

Gabriel Chery, Bato pou Agwe Sf-1185, 28"x41,"

Pulp novels and Hollywood ventures of the 19th and 20th centuries have villainized "Voodoo" as a form of black magic, fixated on the creation of "zombies" to perform sexual and criminal misdeeds. In actual practice, Vodou is concerned with overcoming daily hardships, communing with one's ancestors, and requesting divine guidance. It contains a complex system of lwas, or deities, which include Erzulie, Gede, Damballa, La Sirene, Legba, and many others. The lwas (pronounced loah) act as intermediaries between humans and an overarching god. They make great demands upon the believer, and offer fair rewards.

Roudy Azor, "Dambalha Wedo" VD-1061c, 40"x31,"

Lindor Chiler, AnaCaona VD-631 21"x28,"

As objects of ceremony, the Drapo are intended to please and flatter the lwa, with the hope of receiving his/her favor. A traditional drapo represents its lwa in one of two ways: Through Ve-Ves, the lwa's characteristics are synthesized into graphic designs, composed of lines and simple geometric shapes. Through "portrait" Drapo, these traits are personified, often based upon imagery of Catholic saints. Vodou appropriation of this imagery was both a way to fool the Catholic missionaries, and a sincere recognition of traits shared between the saints and their own lwas. A Drapo artist will very often make use of the saint's image as a template for the elaborate beadwork. This unusual remnant of the attempt to Catholocize Haiti is evidence of the tolerant nature, and essentially open structure, of Haitian Vodou.

Catile, Gram Boixile VD-691, 29"x30,"

Marie Baptiste, VD-469, 20"x24,"

Over the last ten years, Drapo Vodou as an art-form has taken great strides. Led by Myrlande Constant, a young generation of artists is employing new techniques, and taking on new themes. The drapo of these artists are larger and more elaborate than ever before. They depict Vodou ceremonies, weddings, and other interactions of the lwas, with increasing detail and depth. Some commentators on Haitian art have spoken of the recent emergence of Drapo Vodou as comparable to the spectacular emergence of Haitian painters after the founding of the Centre d'Art in the 1940s. While still used ceremonially, drapo are increasingly popular on the international art market. Today, there are evangelical Christian flags (see Lindor Chiler), secular drapo (Mireille Delice), and even erotic flags (Roudy Azor and Evelyne Alcide).

Mireille Delice, Erzulie VD-991, 24"x24,"	Christian Dorleus, Alecba SF-1147C, 25"x30,"
Myrlande Constant, Linglinsou VD-996, 17"x27," SOLD	Lasirene DV-519, 29"x34," $700

Lafleur Fils,  Santa Clara, 2007 SF-1191, 30"x36"

Maxon, 2004 SF-1214, 26"x34"

See more Flags! 2 |  Sequin Bottles and Packets! Sequin Spirit Dolls! Beaded Bags! If you'd like to learn more about Haitian Vodou and the art forms which celebrate it, the Haitian Art Company recommends the excellent books on this page. Styles Schools and Artists | Haitian Art Home Page | Art Through The Mail