Showcasing the art and ritual of the African and African-diaspora religions

Pakèt Congo for Ogou

Catalog Number: A002

Dimensions:

33.3 x 11.4

(centimeters)

13.1 x 4.5

(inches)

Country of Origin: United States
Ethnographic Origin: Haitian
Materials: Cloth
Usage: N/A
Detailed Description of Significance:

This is a Pakèt Congo for the lwa (divinity) Ogou, specifically Sèn Jak who is one of his avatars. The base contains the pwèn or power.  It is filled with herbs, perfume, and objects that Ogou likes, such as a man’s thimble, leaf powder, sweet/hard/spicy leaves, and medications for protecting and healing. All of the elements in the base are considered to be closely related to men and the male gender. The feathers represent the head of the pakèt and the head of Ogou while the base represents his body. The pakèt is not meant to look phallic.  However, Ogou is considered a virile loa.