Unknown

Haitian Voodoo Beaded Flag with Gran Bwa signed "Claude"

2000

The present work is an excellent example of the flags and banners of Haitian Vodun practice. It is constructed of cloth with hand-stitched glass beads and sequins, representing the figure Gran Bwa (also Grand Bois, spelled on the flag "GRAИD BOI"). According to Patrick Arthur Polk, Vodun flags are meant to honor or invoke gods, as well as to depict their likenesses and attributes with dazzling displays of color. In addition, the beadwork may reference the African religious elements of Vodun which came to Haiti with African slaves. Haiti is an important part of the African diaspora and there is no other Caribbean nation that has such rich survivals of African-style music and dancing, and of religious beliefs and practices that relate to ancient African tradition. According to Polk, Gran Bwa, "ruler of the forest, is the master of herbal remedies. He also presides over initiations which require, at least symbolically, the secrecy of the forest’s darkest recesses. He normally appears as a tall, symmetrical figure that is half man and half tree." The imagery of Haitian Voodoo culture is derived from multiple sources, and the culture seems to have the ability to integrate the various sources from popular culture to Catholic imagery into traditional African symbols, values and rituals. Images like that of Gran Bwa are based off ritual drawings, or vévé, used to invoke the deity and to consecrate ritual space. Such vévé in Voodoo, unlike images appropriated from Catholicism or from popular culture, are probably based off of ground drawings from Central and West Africa. The relatively young age of this example shows the power and influence the imagery continues to have in Haiti to this day. 16.5 x 19.25 inches, artwork 24.25 x 27 inches, frame Polk, Patrick Arthur. Haitian Vodou Flags...

The present work is an excellent example of the flags and banners of Haitian Voodoo practice. It is constructed of cloth with hand-stitched glass beads and sequins, representing Danbala (also Damballa and Damballah, spelled on the flag "DAMBALAH"). Danbala depicts the spirit or loa of life. In Vodun practice, Danbala Wedo, along with his wife Ayida Wedo, are representative of birth and creation. They are in essence the divine mother and father of the universe. In the iconography, they are usually depicted together as two serpents, or sometimes as a serpent and a rainbow. The snake is symbolic of power, knowledge, and wisdom. Danbala is an especially popular deity and is often represented alone as St. Patrick or Moses, as both of these Christian figures performed miracles associated with snakes. This vévé shows the typical image of two snakes intertwined on a pole, accompanied by two flags. The imagery of Haitian Voodoo culture is derived from multiple sources, and the culture seems to have the ability to integrate the various sources from popular culture to catholic imagery into traditional African symbols, values and rituals. Flags like this one are meant to honor or invoke gods, as well as depict likenesses or attributes using dazzling displays of color. The relatively young age of this example shows the power and influence the imagery continues to have in Haiti to this day. 11 x 13.5 inches, artwork 19 x 21.5 inches, frame Framed to conservation standards in a shadow-box using 100 percent rag matting and museum glass within a gold gilt frame. Polk, Patrick Arthur. Haitian Vodou Flags...

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