VODOU 21 NATIONS UNDER GOD SANCE TRADITION 21 DIVISIONES / 21 DIVISION Copyright 2013 Sancista Brujo Luis

LAS 21 DIVISIONES DEL SANSE PUERTO RIQUEA 1. Division Legba "Leguas" "Levanes' "Lebanes' 2. Division Del Fuego / Del Monte Ogunes 3. Division Ghede / del Cementerio 4. Division del Fuego / Candelos 5. Division Belcanes 6. Division Metresas 7. Division de Agua Dulce / Indios 8. Division Solieres / Soler 9. Division Prieto / Petro / Negra / Morena 10. Division Simbises 11. Division Centinelas 12. Division Guineas 13. Division Madamas 14. Division Nios 15. Division Orientales 16. Division Potencias 17. Division Magos / Nagos 18. Division Yanes 19. Division Jemelos 20. Division Cemises 21. Division Arabeses

Las 21 Divisiones Dominicanas 1) Leguas 2) Ogunes, 3) Rodas 4) Locos, 5) Guedes 6) Petros, 7) Simbis 8) Locomis, 9) Zombis 10) Indios 11) Nagos 12) Congos 13) Guines 14) Niillos 15) Caes 16) Dangueles

17) 18) 19) 20) 21)

Shuques Piues Difemayos Petifones Marasas.

Contrary to popular belief the first Africans to set foot on Puerto Rico or the Americas for that matter where free men. In 1509.a West African free man who wa s the son of a Yoruba King and latter baptized Juan Garrido was an African Conqu istador who worked under Juan Ponce de Leon, "Puerto Rico's first Governor" and was the first free African man to set foot on Puerto Rican soil almost 100 years prior to the first African slaves that came to the Continental United States, " Jamestown 1607". Another free black man was the historical Pedro Mejas, who marr ied the last Cacica Chief of Puerto Rico, Yuiza who like Pedro Mejias was baptiz ed a Catholic and renamed Luisa in order for both to be legally wed under Spanis h law. Like the Dominican Anacaona who makes up a part of the Agua Dulce Division, Yuiz a was a Puerto Rican Cacica "Chief" who presently makes up a part of the Spirits venerated in Puerto Rican Sance. The northern town of Luisa Aldea in Puerto Ri co is named after this very important historical figure happened to be the last female Cacique Chief in the Caribbean. Like many Spanish, French, Portuguese and latter English Colonies the African e nslaved people came from different societies and tribes, each having their own d ialect, language and culture, but the slaves of Puerto Rico were mainly of the Y oruba, Igbos, Congo and Bantu. Haitian Vodou or Voudun consists of 21 Nations or Nasyons of Lwa or what Dominic ans call los Loases or Misterios de La 21 Divisiones ( 21 Divisiones is also kn own as Budu or Vudu Dominicano.) This means that the Lwa come from 21 various tr ibes or Nations from West Africa, each having their own ancestral or village Ori sha or Kimpungulu "Mpungo". Although some claim its less others claim it is mor e. It is historically proven that the African slaves brought to Cuba, Hispaola a nd Puerto Rico where from those that are numbered and listed below, which consis t of what is known as the 21 Naciones, Nasyons or Nationes. 1. The Yoruba "Nago" 2. The Bantu, Bikongo Congo "Kongo" 3. The Foula 4. The Ewe 5. The Fon 6. Dahomey 7. Arara 'Arada, Arda" 8. Ibo Lele 9. Angola 10. Ogou 11. Ketu 12. Sango 13. Togo 14. Danwomen, 15. Mayonbe, 16. Wangol, 17. Makaya, 18. Bambara 19. Igbo 20. Ado 21. Hausa This list can vary or change as the Mandingue "Mandinga", the Ashanti and other tribes were defenetly brought to the New World, that can also be a part of the N

ations, but as I have described, in Puerto Rico alone the majority of the Africa n slaves were from Yoruba, Congo, Bantu and Igbo which was estimated to be aroun d 15,000 African slaves by the year 1555. The Vodou " Vodoun" 21 Naciones, " Nasyons or Nanchons " or 21 Divisiones "Divi sions is a formation of a group of Spirits and Divinities that come from a geogr aphical point of origin or blood lineage. Now in Haitian Vodou these 21 Natione s have been split into four groups, while in Dominican Vudu and Puerto Rican San ce, "also spelled Sanci or Sanse" they have been split into three. In Haitian Vodou you have generally Rada, Petwo, Ghede and Congo, and other sub divisiones that the Lwa may fall within, such as Anago. While in Dominican Vudu you have Division Blanca, Division Negra and Division India. Each of these "3 P otencias" are represented in this form. 1) Misterios deAlta Luz, Rada is ruled by Light and represent the Sun. The Loases of this Division can also be broken down into other Sub Divisiones, and can pertain to other Divisions. The word Rada comes from the Arara word fo r Light or Sun, which discribes the Lwa of this Division. All though they are r epresented as Spirits of Aryan features, such as light skin, light eyes and blon d hair. What this really means is that the Rada Division or Division Blanca are Lwa of pure light, which speaks more of their auric layer than tone of humanly flesh. They are very benevolent, docile, wise, ancient, calm and sweet in nature . In our altars these Lwa are represented or synchrenized with images of Catholic Saints, but this is not always the rule of thumb, as Catholic imagery can and is often used in all Diviones. 2) Misterios de la Oscuridad, Petro Petro is ruled by the Night and represent the light of the Moon. This is the Di vision where one finds the Petro and Ghuede. Again like the Rada, in this Divis ion one will find sub divisiones or Lwa that are of Africa or Root Lwa that were born in the Americas. Many of the Lwa found in this Division are those that ar e honored in Cuban Palo Monte, Palo Mayombe and Brazilian Quimbanda. While the Rada Lwa are more docile, the Petro Lwa are more agresive, outspoken, fierce, an d hot tempered in nature. Many of these Lwa as I have mentioned are the fustrat ed energy of the Ancestors, who suffered bondage, or ridacule, and some can also be ancient Lwa from Africa, who became furotious with the mistreatment of their people. 3) Misterios de La Raiz, Division Agua Dulce This the root and represents the land, thus the earth. Division Indio or Agua Dulce does not consist of Lwa from Africa, but the Spirits as honored and vener ated by the Taino, and Arawak natives of the Caribbean and known as a group as Z emi or Cemi. This Division for those that do not understand our traditions, would find it a b it confusing, but in all actuality is a simple Division to understand. These Lw a are the Spirits of the Land, the Root Lwa, Loases de la Raiz or as they are ca lled in Haitian Vodou, the Rasin Lwa. This means that they are native of the la nd, native born, spirits of the earth or place in which one is currently in. Many of these Lwa are also the Mestizo, Mulatto or Sambo offspring or vuelta of a Rada, Petro and or Rasin Lwa, which spawned a new Spirit, or an ancient Taino Spirit "Zemi" who has adapted an African Lwa name, such as is the case with Erzu lie Dantor and Cachita Tumbo which are both Root Lwa, and to make it a little bi t more confusing, Erzulie Dantor also falls under the Petro Lwa and the Sance su b division of Lwa known as Metresas. Anaisa Pye is another root Lwa.

"Guabancex and Coatrisquie" In Haitian Vodou this Division does not egsist as it does in Puerto Rican Sance and Dominican 21 Division; many of the Lwa in this Division, "Like Erzulie Danto r and Cachita Tumbo" are actually mixed into other Divisiones. Many of the Lwa or Misterios in this Division can be found in Vodou, Sance and 2 1 Divisiones, while others are more local Lwa from the island and its Sociedades that honor them. For excample many local Cacique, Caciquas and Bohique have in death reached Lwa statues, and each Island has their own. The Petro Lwa can also fall under la Raiz and under Rada, and most are clasified as Meztiso, Mulatto and Zambaggoa "Zambo /Sambo" Spirits. 1. Mestizo - white and native 2. Mulatto - white and black 3. Zambo - white, black and natives The word Lwa in Spanish "Loase pronounced Loh Ah Seh or Loases" comes from the F rench word Loi prounounced L Wah, or the Haitian Kreyol word Lalwa or la lwa whi ch mean, the Law. Thus the Vodou Spirits embody the cosmic laws of creation. T he Lwa are also known as the Misterios or the Mysteries.

THE 21 & 7 DIVISIONS / DIVISIONES Many people in the Americas who follow an African religions and Spiritual tradit ions recognize the two most iconic images within our traditions, which are La Si ete Potencia Africana ( Seven African Powers ), and the image used for La 21 Div isiones. But unlike the 7 African Powers that often uses the name of the Orisha under its synchronized Catholic Saint, very rarely will one find this on the pi cture for the 21 Divisiones, which traditionally uses both the Catholic image an d the Catholic name. I would like to take this time on this article to use the name of the Lwa as it pertains to the traditional Dominican image of the 21 Divisiones with their Sant os counterpart. But before I go further, I need to clarify that there are more than 21 Lwa, just as their are more than 7 Orisha, in the Lukumi Pantheon. Elde rs will often say there are 101, 201, 1001, or 2001, the number one at the end s ymbolizes infinite or that there are Lwa that we do not know of, as it is imposs ible for any human to know them all. The iconic 21 Divisiones is the pantheon of Lwa that are highly venerated in the Dominican Republic. They are the local and most loved and widly known Lwa of t he Dominican Republic, and while Puerto Rican Sance recognizes these Lwa, many L wa are known or venerated in the Dominican Republic that are not known in Puerto Rico and visa versa, the same can be said with Haitian Vodou and Louisiana Vood oo, as each has their own local Spirits. Also in Sance many of the local Emisarios or Spirits of the Comisiones, that mak e up the Cuadro Espiritual, which is not worked in Dominican 21 Division are on their way of becoming Lwa, these spirits are known as Corrientes or Sance, and w ill one day become local Lwa Misterios. Thus in part why in Sance they have the ir own sub Division, known more as Comisiones, which are Spirits that make up on e's spiritual frame, and one day will be Lwa. Similiar cocepts can be found in A merican Voodoo. For instance, Marie Lavou, Black Hawk and Dr John are but a few

historical American figures who are on their way of becoming Lwa; at least in t he New Orleans Voodoo traditiones. 1.Klemezin Klemey / La Seorita Metresa Clarabel = Santa Clara 2.Ogun Balendjo = San Santiago Matamoros 3.Anaisa Pye = Santa Ana con la Nia Maria 4.Belie Belcan = San Miguel 5. Metresili = Nuestra Seora Dolorosa 6. Ghuede Limbo = San Expedito 7. Ogun Badagris = San Jorge 8. Gunguna = Santa Elena 9. Soley = San Nicolas del Sol 10. Baron Cementerio / Baron Sabalo = San Elias del Monte Caramelo 11. Papa Legba = San Antonio de Padua 12. Luis Guede = San Luis Gonzaga 13. La Marasa = San Cosmos y San Damian 14. Gran Torolisa = Jesus de la Buena Esperanza 15. Lubanna Filomena = Santa Marta la Dominadora 16. Papa Candelo = image of himself, traditionally or San Carlos Borromeo 17. Agalla Dulce 18. Gran Cacique 19.. Ersili Danto Pye = Santa Barbara Africana / 20. Tindjo Alawe = San Rafael 21. Bondye = Papa Buen Dios el Todopoderoso

JEFES OF THE 21 DIVISIONES 1) Divisin Legb or Division Leguas : The ancient elder, and young Loases Lords of the pathways, communication, guar dians, gatekeepers and messengers of the Misterios. Although the Legba have the ir own Division they pertain to every other, for without them, the doors between the Spiritual, Astral and Material plane could not be opened or closed. Nothin g is done without first egknowlowding Legba, may it be by a prayer, the tapping three times on the altar or ritualistic dance and gestures with the ritual rattl e and the Jarro Divisional. The Jefe "Chief' is Papa Legba also known in Africa as Legbara. He is not the eldest, nor the youngest, but surely one of the wises t of his Division. In this Division one finds Legb Carf, Legb Atibn, Leguasito, Ros ita Legba and countless other Legbas. Their color is often brown with another c olor to distinquish the Lwa. Yoruba tradition states that when God "Olodumare" fell ill, all the Orisha tried to find a remedy for that which ailed him, but it was only Elegbara who found t he remedy, thus Olodumare blessed him with having the abilities to be in all are as at once. Another legend states that when Nzambi Bondye created the universe he left Legba in charge of planet earth, so that he "God" may rest. Papa Legba with the help of Papa Ogun and other Loases helped to create the foundation of what would be life on earth. 2) Divisin del Fuego / del Monte or Division Ogunes: The Jefe Chief is Ogun Balendjo, eldest son of Papa Ogun. Unlike Papa Ogun who is often distant from humans, Ogun Balendjo and his brothers have a close relati onship with life on earth and its ever growth in tecnology. The Ogun answer to no other Lwa or humans for that matter but Legba who they have the greatest resp

ect, in which they abandon their weapons, spears and military supplies and becom e the great leaders. Where Legba opens the pathways, Ogun leads and clears the path and comes to heal and console.

Many of the Ogun dress in Blue, although Green and Red is also used, and ofren a re seen riding their trusted White stallions. There are many Lwa in this divisi on, such as Ogun Balendjo, Ogn Badagr, Ogn Batal, Ogn Fegallo, Ogn Negu, Ogn Panam a un Ans. But many who pertain to this Division do not carry the name Ogun such as Osanj and the sub division of Gran Bwa as well as other Lwa that do not carry th e Ogun sername. Ogun's importance is retold in the story of when Bondye gave the keys of the ear th to Legba. Legba quickly went to Ogun. Legba commisioned him to carve the roa ds through the ruff turain and jungles that had been the earth at the time. Og un was the only Lwa with the proper wisdom and knolwedge of human evolution and he taught them "humans" the art of making tools and the implements nesessery for the evolution of the earth. He quickly won favor in Bondye's eyes who comision ed him as King amongst the other Lwa, but Ogun refused, when he saw the greed an d power humans had and how they used and manipulated his implements for war and strife, that Ogun refused the position and went to live in the deepest of jungle s. Although he presides till this day in the deepest of woods it is because of Ogun that humans learned the art of tools, war, healing and tecnology . ( The first cells on earth feed of amino acids and grew on iron, and that Lightn ing might have helped create the key building blocks of life on Earth .... Ok t his is not a science class, you get the picture...) 3) Divisin Rad, Division Rodas, Divisin del Aire or Division Blanca: In Dominican Vudu known as La 21 Divisiones, the Jefe to this Division is Pi Pie r Basic or Ferraille Adogan Piel, Papa Pie Anciano, who is synchenized with San Simon Pedro or San Marcos de Leon who is an ancient Ogun Lwa of Fire. In this Di vision one finds the highly elevated Lwa of the skies and air element, such as B eli Belcn Ton (who happens to be an Ogun.) Dambala, Papa Legba, Papa Loko, Papa Sob o, La Sirena Yemalla, Gran Ersili, Erzulie Freda, Agwe, Gran Halouba, Klemezin, and Filomez to name a few. Many dress in white with another color to distinguish the Lwa. The Rada Lwa are the ancient Spirits of Africa, and every culture that came from Africa, "every single one" their Spirits, and Deities are the spawn and childre n of the Rada, who are as ancient as they are wise and benevolent. When Buen Dios created the universe he came to an area we now call earth, and th rough his will he called on Da, and Da with his coils formed the earth. Da with his coils formed the hills and the valleys, he formed the trees and he formed t he jungles. Then Buen Dios knew it was good, that he lit the earth by day with the sun and the night with the moon and stars "Mawu - Lisa". Then from Da's gol den coils deceanded the first Premordials, who forged metal, created volcanoes, the vast seas, lakes, streams and ponds. Then lightning deceaned on a sacred pl ace called IFE, and the sacred stones where formed, which would house the Sacred Premordials. Then Da's reflection on the water created a rainbow, and Papa Bu en Dios said, this shall be your wife. Then Buen Dios looked at Da and said. ' From this day forth you shall be called Dambala and your wife the Rainbow Serpen t shall be called Aida Wedo, and through you the Cosmic Sperm and her the Cosmic Egg, will from clay create smaller forms of stone, and I shall breath life into them, and all life that walks, crawls, slithers, flies, runs and swims will res ide in Ife, the birthplace place of Life. Thus life descended in drops of rain and lightning bolts on Ife, and the first stones became life forms and Buen Dios sent Fa to give consciousness to these life forms and they soon filled the eart h with beauty and wonder.

4) Divisin India, Division Indios or Division Agua Dulce: The Jefe is a Loa de Raiz (Root) Lwa by the name Cacique Sama or Gama. This Divi sion is the largest Division in Sance, Zancie and 21 Division, and it consists o f 1/3 of the Great Spirits of the Native people of the Americas, the Indigenous people, and the Root or Misterios de Raiz. Within this Division one does not ju st find the Cemi "Zemi" Spirits of the Taino, Arawak and Caribs, but also histor ical and elevated Cacique and Cacica chiefs, Nitaino warriors, Naboria common fo lks, Bohique priests and Bohitu Shamans, who have ascended into Lwa status. Thi s Division is of the element of fresh sweet water. There colors are blue, green , red and yellow. A Puerto Rican Taino folklore tells the tail of how Yucaju "God" had a son named Yayael who rebelled against his father, Yucaju banished his son, but Yayael kep t rebelling against his father, for he wanted to be more powerful than he. In a fit of rage Yucaju killed his son, and when his rage was gone, remorse started to set in. So he took a Jiguera goard from the Higuera Tree and placed Yayael's bones within it. Then Yucaju painted Zemi symbols on the gourd and hung it abo ve the entrance of his hut, in case any other Cemi dared rebel against Yucaju th ey would meet the same fate. and to demonstrate Yucaju's strength and power. B ut Atabeira the great mother of the Sea, wanted to see her son, and begged Yucaj u to let her see his remains within the Jiguera. When Yucaju agreed, he took do wn the Jiguera and opened it so that Atabeira could see the remains of Yayael. But instead of Yayael's bones, what was inside the jiguera was fresh sweet water "Agua Dulce" and fresh water fish. At the time the only waters of the earth we re the salty waters of Atabeira, and the only fish where those that lived within the sea. So they poured the fresh water on the earth and its fresh water fish which created the streams, rivers, ponds and lakes and the life within it, which would sustain animal and plant life on earth. But they could not resist the ur ge to feast from some of the fish within the jiguera gourd. Thus Yayael became as great as his father, for he created sustainable life for humans, and also liv ed within his father and mother. Within this Division there are many Lwa and Cemi some of the most popular are Ti ndjo Alawe, Agueybana, Hacua Dant, Agalla Dulce, Doa Mencia, Doa Ines, Yuiza, Anacao na, Caonabo, Cayacoa, Guaroa, Tamayo, Carmelina Dansolei, "Carmelina Dan Soley" , India Agua Azul. Indio Carinoa, Pluma Blanca, Toro Sentado, Aguila Roja, Aguil a Blanca, Indio Enriquillo, India Ciboney, India Jihoanya and Gran Cacique to na me a few, in this Division one also finds the Comisiones de Indios which are Emi sarios of the Division such as Indio de la Paz, Indio de la Fuerza, Indio Podero so, Indio de la Guerra, Indio Bravo, Indio Libertador and Indio Valiente. 5) Divisin Del Cementerio, Division Gued: The Jefe of this Division is Barn Samed also known as Baron del Cementerio or el Varon del Cementerio. He is the son of Aganman Nibo who is known as Papa Ghede Limbo. The Ghede Division lives within the stomach of el Baron del Cementerio, a nd come out through the birth canal of La Baronesa which is symbolized by the en trance of a graveyard. The Ghede are the dead, but definitely not the Ancestors . Unlike the Ancestors who do not reside in the graveyard, the Ghede do, often under the tombs and grave sites. For this reason alone one never places the Ghe de near the Ancestors or ones departed. El Baron is always represented by the e ldest tomb of a male buried in that particular cemetery while La Baronesa who is also called Madame Brigitte, is represented by the oldest female tomb. Ghede L imbo is represented by the oldest tomb with a cross. Of all the Divisions there are more Ghede then there are Lwa, and some of the most recognized besides the ones I mentioned are, Barn Sand, Laku, Ghede Zaina, Luis Ghede, Ghede Zumb, Gedela, G edelina and Guedesito. There color is often Black or purple with another color to distinguish the Ghede.

In many African cultures especially the Bantu it was believed that the first two human souls, one male and the other female "children of Mawu the Moon and Lisa the Sun and grandchildren of Nana Buluku" traveled to the earth on Da's golden t hread which was symbolic of a Spider's web or a Serpent's coil "Lightning" and t hen took human form. They lived a long and fruitful life in a place called Ife, that was made suitable for them to inhabit by elder Primordials. When they died they became the first Dead, the first Ghede, Ti Ghede, and Ghede Zaina. Ghede Z aina is known as brother of Gun and Da. "Ogun and Dambala" While Haitian Vodou and Dominican Vudu de la 21 Divisiones honors the Ghede and they are often the last to be invoked in Fete, the Ghede are not so much invoked or involved in the practices of Puerto Rican Sance, unless the Sociedad has a s trong tie with Haitian Voudon. The Lwa such as El Baron del Cementerio, often c ome silently to observe and is given his gin, and the Ghede are honored in the c emetery and tombs, but rarely do they participate in Sance Fiestas. The Ghede love spicy foods, Habaneros, and when mounting a Houngan or Papa Bocor love to drink Gin and eat the ashes from lit cigars, many also use the ashes to paint their faces. They always boast on how the Rada Lwa make their promises b ut it is the Ghede who often comply, especially when it comes to the dirty work that the Rada refuse to do. Many of the Rada Lwa and Metresas find the Ghede to be vulgar, loud and obnoxious and will not be in the same vicinity when they ar e present. 6) Divisin Petrs or Division Negra: The Jefe of this Division is Gran Bu Yilet and Ti Jean Petro. Ti Jean Petro was a Dominican African ."Spanish" slave from Santa Cruz de Baraho na " a City in the South of the Dominican Republic" who became a powerful and we ll respected Papa Bokor by the name of Don Juan Felipe Pedro. He Incorporated n ot just only the off springs of Arawak and African Spirits from the Kongo and Da homey who were as oppressed as its people, but also harnessed the oppressed ener gies of the Ancestral Lwa. Although many are Lwa, many are elevated historical figures who fought for independence, justice and freedom at all costs. These An cestral Spirits where called Bukulu or Egun by the Africans and Hupia or Opia by the Taino and Arawak people. The Petro are the of springs of these two culture s. They are the root lwa of the new world and do not appear in African Vodou, a nd are more aggressive in nature than their Rada counterpart. There are many Pe tros, each country has its own local one, while other share many in common such as Erzulie Dantor, Mambo Fatima, Mambo Maronet, Ti Jean Petro, Jean Feg Pi, Legba Kalfou, Pile Fey Simbi Dlo, Gran Torolisa, Juan Danto Pie, Tiyn Petr and many mor e. There color is Red with another color to distinguish the Lwa. When dealing with the Petro, one must be careful what is asked for, they literarly listen to everything you say, and if it is of a vengenceful nature they are quick to repay their depots. They are not as lenient as the Rada Lwa, when it comes to dealing with punishments. The Petro like all Lwa are no ones watch dog, or no ones gen ie in a bottle waiting for its master's command, no man has power over any Lwa a nd they are forces of nature that demand the greatest of respects. In Haiti and the Dominican Republic the Petwo or Petro are the spirits of Africa n slaves and Indians who fought for freedom and independence. In Puerto Rican S ance this Division is known as Division Negra or Morena and most are the brave s ouls of those who practiced their traditions despite adversary. In Sance the Co ngo Spirits, las Negras, los Cimarones, and Esclavos of a person's Cuadro Espiri tual fall under this Division, these Spirits are often los Emisarios or Los Sanc e of the Petro Lwa. This Division in Haiti and the Dominican Republic is assoc iated with Blood and Fire, and enjoy their blood offerings while in Sance these are the Emisarios which do not ask for nor work with blood, but are given guava fruit and red wine. This Division works at night and preside in the woods and d ense forests of the Caribbean Islands where their Servidores labor their energy.

Although many African slaves brought with them from Africa, their views and beli efs on Spirits and the after life. It is highly likely that their beliefs was i nfluenced by the native Tainos. The Petro Lwa and Spirits have much Taino and A rawak influence. The Taino believed that the rain forests, and dense forests was inhabited by the Op a or Opias. Now the Opia often slept during the day, and came alive when the Sun set in the west in the land of Coaybay "realm of the dead", awakening the Op ias. The Opia could take any form they so wished, some could appear as they app eared in human form known as Mabuya "Ghosts", others could take on the form of a nimals, especially that of the Cacibajagua "the Bat" or Mucaro "the owl" . Thes e nocternal creatures where viewed as the Spirits of the Dead that arose from Co aybay and came to the realm of Goize "the living spirit" through caverns and cav es that where viewed as the gateway to the realm of the dead or the belly of Maq uetaurie Guayaba "el Gran Baron del Cementerio". The Opias would go into the de epest woods have their sacred Arieto "ceremonial and religuous dances" and would feast on the Guayaba "Guava" fruit when they tired. The Taino never ventured i nto the deep forest at night because the Opia would seduce them into sexual acts and take their soul into the realm of the dead, or feast on their blood which w as to the Opia sweeter then that of the nectar of the Guava fruit. The noctornal bat is the Petro's messenger, and yes these Lwa can be arogent, es pecially when they mount a caballo. This arrogance also comes from a Taino lege nd of the Bat. In the begining of time the Bat went to heaven to look for God "Yucaju", and beg ged Yucaju to give him feathers for he was cold. But Yucaju had no feathers lef t to give, since he had given them all to the birds in the earth. Then Yucaju s aid unto all the birds. "Each of you will give unto the Bat a feather so that h e may fasten them onto his body. When the Bat got every feather, he was the most magnificent and luxuriant creatu re on the earth, and it is said that when he passed over the ocean he created th e Rainbow. This of course made the Bat very proud and vainful and he would look on all life with a disdainful look and would speak to all the birds rudly and with an insul ting remark. Yucaju quickly took notice of the Bat and made it so that the heat of the Sun h eated the earth so much that in order for Mother Earth to cool down, she let loo se a steam of vapor into the heavens that soon came down as torential down pour and strong winds. This made the Bat's feathers fall, and soon the Sun came and shown on the Bat's eyes, and thus blinding him. The Bat blinded by the Sun hid in the depths of the earth ashamed of what had become of him, and until this da y he and his desendants come out only at night in flocks, blind still by the Anc ient Sun, but flying very quickly looking for their feathers before the Sun rise s in the East. (Every tradition has its mythology and folklore, Sance and Espiritismo Folcloric a is not an exception to this rule. Before I continue with this post, I would l ove to thank my Padrino, 'May his spirit be in the pressence of Buen Dios, Hecto r Rodriguez who told me many Puerto Rican folklores in el Yunque and the Camuy C aves. He had a deep love of Puerto Rico" and his Taino heritage. A great love I have passed to my own children and with God's good grace will someday pass to m y grandbabies.) 7) Divisin Locs: The Jefe of this Division is Papa Loko who is synchrenized with Saint Joachin,

in the creation of the earth, these Lwa landed on top of trees, thus they are sa id to manifest their energy in Palm Trees and Ceibas. 8) Divisin Simbs or Division Simbises: The Jefe of this Division is Gran Simbi Dlo, or Simbi Andeso also spelled Simbi Andeazo. 9) Divisin Congs: The Jefe of this Division is Gamodi. 10) Divisin Guins: The Jefe of this Division is Aguin Pier. 11) Divisin Ninig or Division Niillos: The Jefe of this Division is Ramn iig Sand. 12) Divisin Cas: The Jefe of this Division is Ca Sam. 13) Divisin Danguels: The Jefe of this Division is Dangul Quinam. 14) Divisin Shuqus: The Jefe of this Division is Shuqu Alangu. 15) Divisin Maras o de los Gemelos: The Jefes of this Division are Radis Lam and La Maras. 16) Divisin Pius: The Jefe of this Division is Pius Lamb. 17) Divisin Difemays: The Jefe of this Division is Gam. 18) Divisin Petifons: The Jefe of this Division is Sig. 19) Divisin Locam or Division Locomis: The Jefe of this Division is Len Nicom, Nyiucom. 20) Divisin Somb or Division Zombi: The Jefe of thiis Division is Pie Tiyn. 21) Divisin Nags: Thw Jefe is Olish Bay.

LAS SIETE DIVISIONES PANTEON DEL SANSE, LOS SIETE JEFES. PUERTO RICAN 7 POTENCIAS, 7 AFRICAN POWERS KNOWN AS LA SIETE DIVISIONES OR SIETE JEFES Copyright 2013 Sancista Brujo Luis Although there are 21 Divisions both in Dominican Vud and the Pantheon of Puerto Rican Sanse, 7 Divisiones are the most venerated and respected amongst Puerto Ri cans. Like Dominican and Haitian Vodou, within each Division their is a Punto M isterio known "in Spanish" as el Jefe or La Jefa, but what is apperant is that e

ach of the "7" Siete Jefes come from one of the Divisiones that follows, and as you will notice, the similarities within Puerto Rican Sanse and Dominican 21 Div isiones. 1) Division de Papa Lebanes, Los Legbas The Jefe of this Divisin is Papa Legba, they embody the element of earth and fire . They help in opening pathways, opening doors to other realms, as well as uncr ossing and destroying sorcery and black magic. Many of the Legbas are great comm unicators and help us is relaying messages. 2) Division del Monte, Los Ogunes The Jefe of this Divisin is Ogun Balendy and under him are Ogun Badagr, Ogun Fegall o, Osanjeh, Gran Bw, and other Misterios. This Division embody the element of earth, fire, metal, wood and plant. They ar e hard workers, guardians, blacksmiths, soldiers, doctors, healers and warriors. Out of all the Naciones they work the hardest, none stop and can be very fierc e and temperamental. 3) Division Del Cementerio, Los Guedeses. The Jefe of this Divisi is el Barn del Cementerio, within this division Santa Mart a la Dominadora and Santa Marta La Bruja, Baron del Sabado, Baron de la Cruz and Papa Guede Limbo. The Division del Cementerio include los Gueds and they embody the element of eart h and fire. This Division helps in resolving all sorts of problems. They help in opening and closing the doors to the realm of the dead. They can be mischiev ous and often ruthless tricksters, and if offended, can be very dangerous. They should never be called on by those who do not completely have wisdom over their misteries as they can unleash evil malevolent spirits as easily as benevolent s pirits. 4) Division Del Fuego. The Jefe of this Division is Papa Candelo, they fall under the Divisin de los Pr ietos and Division del Cementerio, and within this Division one finds countless Misterios, which have their origins both in the Americas as well as Africa. The Candelo Division embody the element of fire and air, and although they are P etro and some Gueds they also have their own Familia, "Division". They open the pathways for progression, change and evolution. They are great guardians and sw ift healers and messengers for Papa Buen Dios. They work hard for finding a sol ution and solving all forms of dilemmas. They are great paleros, and have a gre at wisdom and knowledge over ancient magic and herbalism. They also work well i n all judicial matters. 5) Division De Belcanes The Jefe of the Division de los Belcanes is Belie Belcan Tome. Within this Divi sion one finds the Belcan Nacion, which embody the element of Air and Earth, T hey fight for justice and peace and are a great defense against demons, evil spi rits, occult enemies and black magic. They are wise, ancient and of a benevolen t nature although they are fierce warriors and keep order amongst chaos. 6). Division de Metresas The Jefe or Jefa of the Divisin de las Metresas is Metresili, and there are many Metresas. Although they pertain to their own Division, they can also belong to another. The Mestresas embody the elements of earth and water. They work in matters of e motioms, thoughts and feelings. They govern over love, womanhood, motherhood, m aternity, fertility, beauty and femininity. Their colors are Pink, Yellow, Oran

ge and Gold. 7). Division del Agua Dulce, Los Indios The Jefe of this Division is Tindjo Alague and consists of all the Spirits as me ntioned above in the 21 Divisiones. This Division of Misterios make up 1/3 of the Misterios, they are highly venerat ed within Puerto Rican Sanse and are a very important division of Spirits. They embody the elements of water and air. Other Divisiones in Sanse include. Division Soley or Division del Sol. The Jefe of this Division is Gran Soley or Gran Solier, and this Division consists of the highly elevated Lwa known as the Rada. These Lwa bring ilumination, clarity, insight, wisdom and knowledge.