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Category: INITIATION
  1. When are you planning your next ceremonies?
  2. Can anyone be eligible for initiation?
  3. What is the first step in being initiated in this tradition.
  4. Does one have to be born to the Vodou to receive this ashe as well?
  5. When I am initiated does that mean I can initiate others?
  6. Does race matter in regards to initiaiton?
  7. How does the Initiation work here in the West?
  8. What are the cost?
  9. I was "made" in another ATR tradition, does this preclude me from being done in yours?
  10. Can I send my payment for my divination to you in advance?
  11. Can a person be any age for initiation?
  12. Can anyone who desires be initiated as a Mamisii?
  13. If I am initiated into another system, but would like a vodou, can this be done?
  14. I have dreds (locs) Must I cut my hair to be initiated?
  15. Once I am initiated, do you become my godparent?
  16. is there a certain shrine that you use for rituals?
  17. Suppose you have African Ancestors from the Yoruba and the Vodoun who were initiated priests, would this be revealed in divination? And if so, would the oracle suggest which path you should take?
  18. Isn't Daagbo Hounon Houna of Benin the High Priest over all of the Vodou in West Africa?



  1. When are you planning your next ceremonies?

    Mamaissiis Arita & Mamaissii Vivian. Stone Mountain, GA. 2001

    2003 June-July Schedule

    Please go here to view our entire program.
    Category: INITIATION
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  2. Can anyone be eligible for initiation?
    mamiwata_group_keposo3.jpg 293*203
    All who are in need of initiation confirmed thru divination by us, will have it performed. However, due to the misunderstanding of what African Traditional Religions are, it is important to keep in mind that:
  3. The Yeveh Vodoun and Mami Wata religions are ancestral and not "power-driven, solitary" paths.
  4. They are not occult, magical traditions, or the next "progressive step" from Satanism, Thelema, Wicca, Kardecian magik nor any other Western occult/magical system.
  5. Additionally,"Power trippers," "ceremonial junkies,"initiation/implement collector's" will be weeded out, so please do not apply.
    Category: INITIATION
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  6. What is the first step in being initiated in this tradition.

    The first step is thru a divination(reading) IN PERSON. You contact us (706) 267-3324, to schedule an appointment. ALso, you can click on the link below which discuss:

    Protocol and Respect

    when coming to a Mamaissii for services.
    Category: INITIATION
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  7. Does one have to be born to the Vodou to receive this ashe as well?
    To its priesthood yes. To simply receive the ashe and honor the Vodou no. But the ceremonies and installation of the Vodou is not done in the same manner.
    Category: INITIATION
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  8. When I am initiated does that mean I can initiate others?
    This should be the last question on any new initiates mind. It takes years of both training, discipline and special permission to "initiate" others into the mysteries of Mami Wata & Dahomean Vodoun. Only those who are pathed to do this work will be allowed by the Spirits to initiate others. The majority are pathed to develop themselves. You will be told this information as well during your divination.
    Category: INITIATION
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  9. Does race matter in regards to initiaiton?
    No. The notion of "Race" is a political and social construct, created in Western cultures, especially during chattle slavery, to justify the supremacy of one phenotype (set of certain outer physical, characteristics, esp., pale skin, blue eyes) at the detriment of others. In the Vodoun, the Spirits [both Vodou and Ancestors] divines your spirit, and those of your immediate (and in some cases ancient) ancestors who are linked with you at birth. If the Vodou approves your being consecrated in our tradition, then we cannot go against this. This is why all the above proceedures are important before any investment is made. You will know before hand if we can be of assistance to you.
    Category: INITIATION
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  10. How does the Initiation work here in the West?
    This will be explained to you if initiation is needed. It is different for each person. But, all initiations are performed at your house i.e., (your "shrine" that will house your dieities).
    Category: INITIATION
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  11. What are the cost?

    Prices vary for each service specific to you. Once you are told what is possible for you, the cost will also be discussed. Additionally, all efforts will be made to accomodate those who are in dire "spiritual" need but cannot afford the cost of our services. However, this will be determined on a case by case basis.
    Category: INITIATION
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  12. I was "made" in another ATR tradition, does this preclude me from being done in yours?

    It depends on what was done. Each case is different and must be evaluated as such.
    Category: INITIATION
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  13. Can I send my payment for my divination to you in advance?
    We prefer that you wait until you arrive.
    Category: INITIATION
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  14. Can a person be any age for initiation?
    Yes, but if you are under 18 yrs., you must either be declared a legal adult, or be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian before any (including divination) services are performed for you.
    Category: INITIATION
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  15. Can anyone who desires be initiated as a Mamisii?

    In general, Mamissiiss (in the priesthood) are born, or inherited from ones maternal lineage. Mamissii "ashe" can also be given to enhance the work of a priest/ess. Mami Wata may also claim a person thru illness, or for other reasons. On occassion, the Mami spirits might sieze a person who they then send to us for initiation. There are also Mamisiis whose role is largely administrative, in which it is not necessary that they are born to Mami Wata. Small ceremonial tables are also made to those who simply want to honor Mami Wata. This is the most common proceedure done to most ancestrally outside of the tradition.
    Category: INITIATION
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  16. If I am initiated into another system, but would like a vodou, can this be done?
    Most often, yes. However, if what you have in your shrine is "bad" for your own protection we cannot place the Vodou in the same shrine. You will be required to either move it, or seek services elsewhere.
    Category: INITIATION
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  17. I have dreds (locs) Must I cut my hair to be initiated?
    Typically No, unless it has been divined that you must.
    Category: INITIATION
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  18. Once I am initiated, do you become my godparent?

    In the Vodoun tradition, godparents are earned. It is a very serious role that is not taken lightly. In traditional times, if a godchild displayed the least disrespect, they were banished and no priest in all the village would take them in. This kind of spiritual abandonment is tantamount to death, and an initiate understood the grave implications of such an act. Initiation only bestows that you will be provided basic information, follow-up and assistance in adjusting as a new initiate. That is our obligation to you. To become part of our Egbe (House), your attitude, conduct, personal responsiblity, and determination to learn, and grow must be demonstrated. You can

    read further about this as well as learn tips of what is expected of you in our House after initiation.

    Category: INITIATION
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  19. is there a certain shrine that you use for rituals?
    Yes. The manifestation of an initiation in our tradition is the installation of either a personal or "working" shrine in which the community is served. Personal shrines are designed for the initiate only. A shrine is one of the major indicators of a person's legitmate initiation into Dahomean Vodoun, especially at the priesthood level. It is the law of the Vodoun that anyone claiming priesthood (Mamaissii, Hounons "chiefs", Ahougan, etc.) MUST provide information about who installed their shrines and their location, which should be either in their home or on their personal property.
    Category: INITIATION
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  20. Suppose you have African Ancestors from the Yoruba and the Vodoun who were initiated priests, would this be revealed in divination? And if so, would the oracle suggest which path you should take?
    Yes. However, keep in mind that just because your ancestors were priest do not necessarily follow that you are one as well. All priesthoods are not inheritable. Many are actually pathed for that particular individual family member only. Just as not all priest in the Vodoun (in fact quite the majority) are not necessarily pathed to "initiate, heal" etc.,. These ranks are obtained for many reasons. This is why divination is important.
    Category: INITIATION
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  21. Isn't Daagbo Hounon Houna of Benin the High Priest over all of the Vodou in West Africa?
    Unfortunately, there are ill-informed individuals who are returning from West Africa proclaiming themselves "chiefs" and "popes" of the Vodou. These claims should be taken with great caution. The highest initiatory rank in Vodoun is "Hounon. Honorary titles are Togbui, or chief elder. , which are all interchangeable. The myth that there exist a "Supreme chief," or "chief" of ALL the Vodou, is probably the most widely held misconception in the West, and is more ego-centered, political, and designed to forge a competitive edge, than is actual reality. For the record, there is no official "pope" or "Supreme. Chief," of ALL the Vodou in West Africa. The very nature of both the Vodou, and the ethnic lineage's who possess them, makes this bodacious claim impossible. Most of the priesthood in Togo & Ghana and elsewhere, have never met Daagbo, nor are there any annual pilgrimages made to dobale (bow) to him, (or any others who might proclaim themselves to be the "Supreme Master of Voodoo"). In truth, those who proclaim this title are "high priest" (Hounons)of a certain lineage only, such as of the Fon in Benin. However, the Ewe, Mina, Adja, etc., have their own, who are called Awoamefias or "chiefs," and Queen Mothers, who are headquartered in southwest Ghana among the Anlo-Ewe. These too are largely administrative titles, and positions,but in no way automatically imply that they are any more knowledgeable or powerful spiritually than the others. The tche (spiritual power) and authority of each priest is different. For example, Daagbo is not Mamaissii so he cannot initiate a person as Mamaissiito Mami Wata.
    Category: INITIATION
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