Veve ÈZILI MAPYANG

Year: 2026

Author: James Thegenus

Support: Acrylic on canvas

Dimensions: 41 cm x 41 cm

Description of the work:

Other names for Ezili: Ezili Anmin, Ezili Balyang, Ezili Boumba, Ezili Dantó, Ézili Doba, Ézili Freda, Ézili Freda Danwonmen, Ézili Jewouj, Ézili Kawoulou, Ezili Makaya, Ézili Siniga, Ézili Towo, Ezili Wangòl, Metrés Ézili. Attributes: Lwa of love and beauty; the Venus of Vodou. Main rite: Petro. Ezili is originally from Dahomey. Ezili Mapyang is a beautiful black woman dressed in dark blue with a red scarf around her neck. She shares so many characteristics with Ezili Dantó, including scars, that they could be confused, but she is not the mother of Anaïse, Dantò's daughter, and in her Vèvè, the heart, symbol of all Ezilis, is not pierced by a dagger. Very jealous and demanding, she punishes those who do not please her. Like all Ezilis, she requires her followers to spend the night with her, once a week, on Tuesday or Thursday, in a room of their home consecrated to her. Her favorite food is fried pork, and as offerings, she likes jewelry, pretty dresses, scarves, perfumes, cigarettes, and rum.