Azaka, The Loa

Asia Austin Colter

Loas are a part of the Vodun pantheon; they are spirits that are part of one's metaphysical consciousness and come into play whenever called on from the realm in which they exist. In other words, one has to be conscious believers (Voduists) of their (Loas) spiritual existence to be in contact with their energy. Once their energy is manifested, Loas come into existence as supernatural beings or spirits that can enter the human body. Azaka, Azake, Mazaka, Papa Zaka, Mede, Kouzin, or Couzen came into existence after the Haitian Revolution when enslaved Africans were allowed to own land. The origin of Azaka's name is thought to be pre-Columbian, from the indigenous Taino Indian language stemming from zada, meaning corn, or maza, meaning maize. Azaka is mainly depicted as male, although some scholars say that this Loa is also female. Similarly, Azaka is said to only exist in a “good” form. ...

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