Introduction
La Source
Ancienne Ounfo is a private Vodou society
that exists within the home of New Orleans Voodoo
Manbo Sallie Ann Glassman. It's main purpose
is to serve the Lwa of Vodou traditions and
the New Orleans community. The Society has hosted
ceremonies every week for 25 years.
History
Manbo Sallie Ann Glassman
has practiced Vodou since 1977. She was ordained/intitiated
as a Manbo (Priestess) in 1995 in Port-Au-Prince,
Haiti by Oungan Edgar Jean Louis and continues
his lineage in the United States. Shortly after
her initiation, Manbo Sallie Ann founded La
Source Ancienne Ounfo in New Orleans, and her
house has served the Lwas under her guidance
since that time.
La Source Ancienne Ounfo rituals
are held weekly, and special celebrations and
ceremonies are held throughout the year. Weekly
meetings once held in the home of Manbo Sallie
Ann are now hosted in a newly-dedicated Temple;
but some public ceremonies are still sometimes
held near the Island of Salvation Botanica in
the Bywater district of New Orleans.
A ritual ceremony consists
of rhythmic drumming which corresponds to a
particular Lwa, or spirit. Prayers are sung
in Haitian Kreyol, and sacred symbols (veves)
are drawn inviting the presence of the Lwas.
Blood sacrifices are performed in Haiti, but
are not practiced by Manbo Sallie Ann and her
Ounfo. Instead the Manbo offers other sacrifices,
such as the Lwa's favorite foods or drinks,
offerings symbolic of the Lwa's association
with the human condition (iron for Ogou La Flambo,
cotton for Manman Brigit) , or candles and representations
of the Lwas themselves. During the ceremony
the Manbo will call upon a specific Lwa who
will sometimes possess a member of the congregation
to impart wisdom and blessings. While the Lwa
"mounts" the person, others can ask
advice about problems and receive blessings
from the Lwa. Joyous dancing usually concludes
a ritual.
Words from
Manbo Sallie Ann Glassman
"I wish to encourage
each member of the house to come together in
order to respond to the world with awe and appreciation.
There will be no tolerance for personal power
struggles or bids for attention. I cannot repeat
often enough that these ceremonies are offerings
for the Lwa and not FOR any one person in the
Ounfo.
"Most Americans
are so concerned with whether they are getting
enough out of a relationship or out of any experience
that they fail to notice how much they have
to give or how rich they actually are. In giving
to the Lwa, we are able to get past ourselves,
our petty egos, and find that we stand for much
more than ourselves. We are able to call the
Gods, who respond by coming down among us. What
more do we need?"
Manbo Sallie Ann Glassman
lectures on Vodou at universities and conferences.
In New Orleans, La Source Ancienne Ounfo performs
annual public ceremonies such as the recent
St. John’s Eve headwashing ceremony in
honor of New Orleans Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau
which is held on Bayou St. John not far from
where Laveau herself conducted rituals; the
public Hurricane Prevention Ceremony, and celebrations
of Dia de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead)
are other popular yearly rituals celebrated
by Manbo Sallie Ann and La Source Ancienne Ounfo.
For
more information about La Source Ancienne Ounfo
or genuine New Orleans Voodoor facts
about Manbo Sallie Ann, visit
her website feyvodou.com
The Island of Salvation Botanica,
LLC is owed by Manbo Sallie Ann Glassman. Since
1977, Sallie Ann has been practicing Vodou in
New Orleans. She was initiated as a Manbo in
Port-au Prince, Haiti, in 1995, by Oungans Edgar
Jean-Louis and Silva Joseph.
Ms Glassman is also the artist
for the ENOCHIAN TAROT DECK, artist and co-creator
of THE NEW ORLEANS VOODOO TAROT, and author
and artist of the book VODOU VISIONS: ENCOUNTERS
WITH DIVINE MYSTERY.
La
Source Ancienne Sosyete
African-Caribbean Vodou
Traditions
835 Piety St.
New Orleans, LA 70117
Phone: 504-948-9961
Or
visit Island Of Salvation website at : www.feyvodou.com
