Chapter 10
The Maroons
THE RITUAL HAD just begun in the maroon camp in the hills north of Jacmel, and Mambo Variola needed to invoke Papa Legba, perhaps the most important loa, or spirit. His permission had to be sought before other loas could be summoned. This ceremony took place whenever a newborn child died. The loa who would be called upon after Papa Legba was Marassa—the sacred twins of Vodou, who represent family, love, justice, the purity of children, and the mystery of conception. The assembled maroons began to sing the song for Marassa in an endless loop.
“Marassa, we are in the dark
Marassa from Guinea, we are in the dark in front of God
Dossou Marassa, bring the lamp to shine upon us.”
The maroons actively practiced Vodou, a mixture of old African religious beliefs and Chr
