Alternative Religion/ Religious Resources/Glossary/Afro-caribbean

In Vodoun, Damballah is the eldest and chief of the Loas, a primordial serpent deity who created the world and the Gods. He, along with his wife Ayida, is sometimes likened to the Kundalini serpent of Hindu mysticism. Damballah has many aspects, including his Petro manifestation, Damballa la Flambeau (Damballah torch).

Damballah is of such great age and antiquity that he does not speak; when possessing a follower during a ritual, he prefers to slither on the ground or sit in the basson.

Alternate Spellings: Da, Dambala, Dambalah, Damballa Wedo, Damballa la Flambeau, Bon Dieu Bondye

Do you have an opinion about this article? Have an idea or a question? Let us know in the Discussion Forum