HOUNTÒ light box

Lamp, light box, handcrafted in wood and painted with acrylic paint.

HOUNTÒ

Hountó is the spirit of Vodou drums. The word and its variants are also used to refer to the drums themselves. In a set of three drums, the smallest is called hountöyi, the medium-sized one hountógi, and the largest hounto. In addition to these names, they also have nicknames. Rada services, for example, require three drums, or groups of three, the largest being popularly known as manman penmba, the medium one as segon, and the smallest as boula. The Petro rite uses two drums or groups of two: the largest is called gwo baka, and the smallest ti baka. The Kongo rite also uses two drums. For ceremonies, the Vévé Hountó is drawn on the floor in front of the drums. Drums are essential ritual instruments in Vodou, for without them there would be no dancing, and there can be no ceremonies without dancing. This is so true that Vodou has been described as a religion of dance. As a sacred instrument, the drum is believed to have the power to communicate with the Lwas and facilitate their journey to earth by producing rhythms that reflect their characteristics. Given the crucial importance of their role, drummers always enjoy the utmost respect, appreciation, and popularity in their communities. It is believed that they produce their best performances when they are in theomorphosis with Hounto.