The Loa

The loa (also spelled Lwa) are the “gods” of Voodoo. Technically speaking, the loa are not gods, but powerful spirits. Voodoo is monotheistic, recognizing a single, distant creator-god (Bondye), with the loa as his/its emissaries and functionaries in the world, intermediaries between the material and spirit worlds.
Like Voodoo, the loa have their roots in African spiritual traditions brought to the New World by African slaves and melded with European Catholic and Native Caribbean beliefs and practices.
There are a vast number of loa with different names and portfolios, but some of the best known (and most powerful) include:

• Agwe: Loa of the fish, sea-creatures, and plants. Uncle (although some stories say husband) to Siren.
• Baron Samedi: Loa of graveyards and undeath, master of zombies.
• Damballah & Ayida Wedo: Damballah is the great white serpent of the underworld while Ayida Wedo, his mate, is the rainbow arc of the sky. They are ancient and primordial loa, wise advisors to the pantheon.
• Erzulie: The loa of love and passion, kind and jealous by turns.
• Gheude & Bridgette: The loa of the dead, Gheude is a skeletal groom to his bride Maman Bridgette.
• Loko & Ayizan: The first priest and priestess of Voodoo, Loko and Ayizan are keepers of lore and tradition.
• Ogoun: Ogoun is a mighty iron-skinned warrior, loa of battle, smith work, fire, and gunpowder.
• Papa Legba: Loa of gateways and crossroads, the Opener of the Way between the worlds.
• Siren: Loa of the seas and, in recent years, a superhero and member of the Freedom League through the medium of her human host.

The loa dwell in an interdimensional realm known as Guinee or “The Island Beneath the Sea.” Like the other pantheons of human history, they are restricted by the Pact in terms of how much they can interfere in earthly affairs. The loa commonly use (and many say invented) the practice of possession, “riding” human host bodies (referred to as a cheval, “horse,” in Haitian creole).
In recent years, the loa have become divided over the issue of humanity and their purpose. One faction, led by Baron Samedi, believes mortals are no longer worthy of the aid of the loa, as they have become corrupt and do not honor their responsibilities in the world. This faction considers humanity little more than pets or cattle, to be used as the spirits see fit. The other faction, led by Siren, claims that if humanity has strayed, it is because the loa are not sufficiently devoted to their duties as guides and guardians, and that they must serve as examples. Siren and Baron Samedi’s activities in the world through their human hosts have been about them each trying to prove their case.

Type

Religious, Pantheon