Veve Amiral Agwe

Year: 2026

Author: James Thegenus

Support: Acrylic on canvas

Dimensions: 41 cm x 41 cm

Description of the work:

Other names for Agwe: Agwetawoyo, Agwetawoyo Gweliye, Agwewoyo, Mèt Agwe. Attributes: Warrior Lwa, Lwa of the oceans and all waters; patron of sailors; the Neptune of voodoo. Main rites: Kongo, Rada, Petro. Pictorial icon: Saint Ulrich. Favorite colors: Green and white, blue and white. Agwe is the most powerful of the aquatic Lwas. His Veve represents his warship, the Imamou, whose captain is Ogou Balendjo. Lasirèn, the Ezili of the sea, is his wife. Ceremonies in his honor are held on the high seas, on the seashore, or on the banks of lakes and rivers. In the hounfòs dedicated to him, a miniature ship hangs from the ceiling. When a service is held at sea, there are devotees on board, a white sheep, and a small boat specially built to deposit the offerings. At the chosen spot, the sheep is thrown into the sea while the boat is set afloat. During the ritual, the devotee imitates the sound of the waves and pretends to row.