Papa Loko

Vegetation, healing, guardian of temples

Papa Loko, or Loko Atisou, is the lwa of vegetation and healing in Haitian Vodou. Served in the Rada rite, he is the guardian of the peristyle and the patron of the oungan: he is the one who confers the asson, the ritual gourd covered with beads and snake vertebrae that carries authority in the priesthood. To receive the asson is to receive from Loko the right to serve. He knows the properties of leaves and barks, and healers invoke him before preparing a remedy. He is associated with the tree, and particularly with the mapou and the physic nut, trees that are not cut without care because a lwa may dwell in them. Husband of Ayizan, he forms with her the tutelary couple of transmission: she opens initiation, he gives authority. Catholic imagery has linked him to Saint Joseph. His colours are white and red, and some descriptions give white, golden yellow and light green. His name comes from the Fon loko, the sacred tree, and ties Haitian practice to the forests of Dahomey.