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Erzulie Dantor

Voodoo knows about three Erzulie:

Erzulie Fredda Dahomey, love spirit in the "Rada" rite, Erzulie Zila, love spirit in the Zandor rite, and Erzulie Dantor, love spirit, protector of women and children in the "Petro" rite. Together these three Erzulie represent the aspects of a same spirit.

Erzulie Dantor has always fascinated me and I identify with her a lot. When I was a child, I used to fear her tremendously. It is her that I describe here.

Erzulie Dantor is part of the Pétro family, originating from Central Africa. She personifies passionate love, which can be both creative and destructive. Fire is her main element and her symbol depicts a heart pierced by a knife (which the possessed mambo* plunges into her bodice). She’s depicted as a virgin, also named the virgin of pains. Her features are of extreme seriousness and her behavior will be of great violence.

* Voodoo priestess

Recommended reading
First printing : Gallimard, "L'Espèce humaine" collection, Paris, 1958, Reprinted in "Bibliothèque des Sciences humaines" collection, Paris 1968. Available in the "Tel" collection.

 

Symbolism and gastronomy
(days: Tuesday and Saturday)

Food: Rice stuck to black peas, banana, pork-based griot, sugary black coffee, cigarettes (no preference). Fruits: red grapes, orange, clementine.

Drink: Cinzano, Tia Maria, Grand-Marnier, sugary red wine, red grenadine syrup.

Color: Royal blue or red.

Perfume: Florida, Rêve d’or.

Used accessories: Royal blue scarf, blue or red candle, knife, red roses bouquet.

Precious stone: Silver.

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