Agwe rules over the sea, fish, and aquatic plants, as well as the patron loa of fishermen and sailors. He helps sailors find their bearings when lost at sea. He provides inspiration and guidance whenever an individual needs them in times of turmoil, loss, or indecision. He lives in a glorious palace under the seas.
He is considered to be married to Erzulie Freda and La Sirene. He goes by several titles, including Shell of the Sea, Golden Shell, The Angel in the Mirror, The Eel, and The Tadpole in the Pond.
His colors are blue, white, and occasionally sea green or brown. His veve (ritual symbol) is a boat with sails. His symbols are painted shells, painted oars, and sea life like the Seahorse and Starfish. He is syncretized with the Catholic Saint Ulrich of Augsburg and occasionally the archangel Raphael, both of whom are depicted holding fish. His holy day is Thursday.
He is saluted or signaled with blowing on a conch-shell and/or volleys of gunfire. When he possesses a devotee he often pushes himself around the temple on a chair (his boat) with a cane (his oar), shouting naval commands and saluting members of the congregation.
offerings to Agwe are poured or dropped overboard in deep ocean water. Large offerings to Agwe are left on constructed rafts, which are floated or towed out, to sea. If the raft sinks, it is accepted; if it returns to shore it is rejected. After the offering is left, the supplicants cannot look back at that place or it will anger Agwe.
His offerings include:
• Beverages: champagne, naval rum, or anisette. Coffee with sugar and cream.
• Items: mirrors, a telescope, toy ships or scale ship models, oars or paddles, seashells, turquoise beads or jewelry, fish-shaped sculptures or jewelry, fish hooks and nets, nautical uniforms or medals.
• Food: Savory exotic foods, melon, boiled cornmeal, rice cooked in coconut milk, rice cooked with lima beans, boiled or fried ripe bananas, white cake, cane syrup, almond oil, olive oil.
Video credit. @haitidansco
Piece name : “AGWE” CEREMONY
Date of creation: year 2014 in Jacmel
Piece updated: year 2021 Cap Haitien
Created / choreographed by Dieufel Lamisere
Company: HaitiDansco (Haiti Dance Company)
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dieufel@gmail.com
+509 44505319/ +509 33633608 (WhatsApp)
Cast:
Female Dancers: Drummers:
Amandine St Martin Castera Saintil
Fabienne Felix Dimitry Etienne
Midline Richardson Fritzner Dauphin
Christ Maika Joachim Ronald Edouard
Male Dancers:
James Joseph
Job Jouissance
Sergo Clossiny
Osmane Joseph
Singer: Jean Louis Garcia
Camera crew:
Camera 1----- Herbeto Foreste
Camera 2-----Wenderley Joseph
Son: Sorthiorsh Rachielde Balmyr
Director of Photography: Watson Balmyr
Behind the scene crew:
Photographers:
Louvensky Cantave
Ednal Mesadieu
