Definitions for houngan
houn·gan

WiktionaryRate this definition:3.0 / 1 vote

1. houngannoun

   A male voodoo priest in Haiti.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. houngan

   Oungan (also written as houngan) is the term for a male priest in Haitian Vodou (a female priest is known as a (mambo). The term is derived from Gbe languages (Fon, Ewe, Adja, Phla, Gen, Maxi and Gun). The word hounnongan means chief priest. ‘'Hounnongan or oungans are also known as makandals. Haitian Vodou is an African diasporic religion, which blends traditional Vodun from the Kingdom of Dahomey with Roman Catholicism. In similarity to their West African heritage, oungans are leaders within the community who run temples (ounfò) to respect and serve lwa (also written as loa) alongside the Grand Maître (grandmaster or creator). Lwa are like spirits, encompassing a collection of Yoruba gods and Roman Catholic saints. Lwa manifest themselves in people during Vodou ceremonies through spirit possession. Each lwa has a distinct dance rhythm, song, sacrificial victuals, and clothing. Lwa choose oungans whilst they dream, where they are instructed by the gods of the Vodun to be their servants in the mortal world. It is the oungan's role to preserve rituals and songs, maintaining and developing the relationship between the spirits and the community as a whole. oungans are entrusted with leading the service of all of the spirits of their lineage, performing rituals for the community - death and marriage ceremonies; healing rituals; initiations for new priests (tesses); creating potions and casting spells; and dream interpretations. Sometimes they may also be bokor (sorcerers). Dutty Boukman was a oungan known for sparking the Haitian Slave Revolt of 1791, working together with Cécile Fatiman to inspire and organise the slaves for the revolution. Other notable oungans include artist Clotaire Bazile, professor Patrick Bellegarde-Smith, and Don Pedro venerator of the Petro lwa.

WikidataRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. Houngan

   Houngan is the term for a male priest in Haitian Vodou. The term is derived from the Fon word "hùn gan". There are two ranks of houngan, houngan asogwe and houngan sur pwen. A houngan asogwe is the highest member of clergy in voodoo and the only one with authority to ordain other priests. It is the houngan's role to preserve the rituals and songs and maintain the relationship between the spirits and the community as a whole. They are entrusted with leading the service of all of the spirits of their lineage. Sometimes they may also be bokor.

How to pronounce houngan?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say houngan in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of houngan in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of houngan in Pythagorean Numerology is: 8

References

1. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Houngan
2. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houngan
3. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=houngan