The Hounsi Lave Tet Initiation

Few realize it, but in Vodun there are ranks which go along with traditions. What most do not understand is that different ranks require different sacrifices that one must make at each level of a Vodou hierarchy.

ㅤㅤThe beginners level is called Hounsi Lave Tet.

ㅤㅤThis is an initiate that receives the Lave Tet ceremonies, which are also known as the Sevis Tet. Any person can receive this ceremony as it is very beneficial no matter what stage of spiritual development one has accomplished. A major benefit of the Lave Tet ceremony is that it can be performed in your own backyard in the U.S., unlike the ceremonies for the Kanso ranks.

ㅤㅤThe Lave Tet also gives your Lwa (spirit), which walk with you, recognition. It refreshes and strengthens, assisting and empowering the spirit to assist you more.

ㅤㅤA person who receives the Lave Tet gets a strong spiritual cleansing, that no other cleansing can even compare to. It baptizes the head, making it more receptive to possession, enhancing psychic ability, and spiritually giving the person a clean slate.

ㅤㅤThe Lave Tet requires three and a half days of commitment in terms of time. During the ceremony, the person’s Met Tet, or Master of the Head, will be divined through a special ritual. This Lwa serves to protect and guide the individual. It too is also strengthened and empowered. Other Lwa that walk with the individual are also divined and revealed to the individual.

ㅤㅤAll the person’s Lwa are fed, strengthened and reinforced. It aligns the spiritual forces of that person, giving them a sort of “spiritual antenna” to connect with the Lwa.

ㅤㅤThe person then becomes a Hounsi Lave Tet and a member of the Vodun Society. However, the tie that binds the individual and the initiator is not the same as the one in the Kanso. The Lave Tet recipient is free to leave the Society and go off on his or her own. It is respect that binds the individuals together, however, either party may decide to end the relationship.

A Hounsi Lave Tet has the following responsibilities:

ㅤㅤ•To serve his or her Met Tet and the Spirits that walk with him/her
ㅤㅤ•To set up an altar to them
ㅤㅤ•To take care of their Po Tet (Head Pot)
ㅤㅤ•To attend ceremonies at their initiator’s home/temple