Editing Lwa (section)

==Nanchon==
[[File:CrossOfBaronSamedi.jpg|thumb|right|A cross in the cemetery at Port-au-Prince, Haiti; this symbolizes the lwa [[Baron Samedi]].{{sfn|Brown|1991|pp=368-369}}]]
In Haitian Vodou, the lwa are divided into ''nanchon'' or "nations".{{sfnm|1a1=Métraux|1y=1972|1p=87|2a1=Brown|2y=1991|2p=100|3a1=Desmangles|3y=1992|3p=94|4a1=Fernández Olmos|4a2=Paravisini-Gebert|4y=2011|4p=120}} This classificatory system derives from the way in which enslaved West Africans were divided into "nations" upon their arrival in Haiti, usually based on their African port of departure rather than their ethno-cultural identity.{{sfn|Fernández Olmos|Paravisini-Gebert|2011|p=120}} The nanchons are nevertheless not groupings based in the geographical origins of specific lwas.{{sfn|Desmangles|1992|p=97}} The term ''fanmi'' (family) is sometimes used synonymously with "nation" or alternatively as a sub-division of the latter category.{{sfn|Métraux|1972|p=87}} It is often claimed that there are 17 nanchon, although few Haitians could name all of them.{{sfn|Desmangles|1992|p=94}} Each is deemed to have its own characteristic ethos.{{sfn|Desmangles|1992|p=94}}

Among the more commonly known nanchon are the Wangol, Ginen, Kongo, Nago (or Anago), Ibo, Rada, and Petwo.{{sfn|Desmangles|1992|p=94}} Of these, the Rada and the Petwo are the largest and most dominant.{{sfnm|1a1=Métraux|1y=1972|1pp=39, 86|2a1=Brown|2y=1991|2p=100|3a1=Apter|3y=2002|3p=238|4a1=Fernández Olmos|4a2=Paravisini-Gebert|4y=2011|4p=121}} The Rada derive their name from [[Porto-Novo|Arada]], a city in the [[Dahomey]] kingdom of West Africa.{{sfnm|1a1=Métraux|1y=1972|1p=39|2a1=Desmangles|2y=1992|2p=95}} The Rada lwa are usually regarded as ''dous'' or ''doux'', meaning that they are sweet-tempered.{{sfn|Fernández Olmos|Paravisini-Gebert|2011|p=125}} The Petwo lwa are conversely seen as ''lwa chaud'' (''lwa cho''), indicating that they can be forceful or violent and are associated with fire;{{sfn|Fernández Olmos|Paravisini-Gebert|2011|p=125}} they are generally regarded as being socially transgressive and subversive.{{sfn|Apter|2002|p=240}} The Rada lwa are seen as being 'cool'; the Petwo lwa as 'hot'.{{sfn|Apter|2002|p=238}}
The Rada lwa are generally regarded as righteous, whereas their Petwo counterparts are thought of as being more morally ambiguous, associated with issues like money.{{sfn|Apter|2002|p=239}} At the same time, the Rada lwa are regarded as being less effective or powerful than those of the Petwo nation.{{sfn|Apter|2002|p=239}} The Petwo lwa derive from various backgrounds, including Creole, Kongo, and Dahomeyan.{{sfn|Apter|2002|p=248}} 

In various cases, certain lwa can be absorbed from one nanchon into another; various Kongo and Ibo lwa have been incorporated into the Petwo nanchon.{{sfn|Desmangles|1992|p=94}} Many lwa exist ''andezo'' or ''en deux eaux'', meaning that they are "in two waters" and are served in both Rada and Petwo rituals.{{sfn|Fernández Olmos|Paravisini-Gebert|2011|p=125}} Various lwas are understood to have direct counterparts in different nanchon; several Rada lwas for instance have Petwo counterparts whose names bear epithets like ''Flangbo'' (afire), ''Je-Rouge'' (Red-Eye), or ''Zarenyen'' (spider).{{sfn|Desmangles|1992|p=95}} One example is the Rada lwa [[Ezili]], who is associated with love, but who has a Petwo parallel known as Ezili Je-Rouge, who is regarded as dangerous and prone to causing harm.{{sfn|Desmangles|1992|p=95}} Another is the Rada lwa [[Legba]], who directs human destiny, and who is paralleled in the Petwo pantheon by Kafou Legba, a trickster who causes accidents that alter a person's destiny.{{sfn|Desmangles|1992|p=95}}

The [[Gede (Haitian Vodou)|Gede]] (also ''Ghede'' or ''Guede'') family of lwa are associated with the realm of the dead.{{sfnm|1a1=Métraux|1y=1972|1p=112|2a1=Fernández Olmos|2a2=Paravisini-Gebert|2y=2011|2p=128}} The head of the family is [[Baron Samedi]] ("Baron Saturday").{{sfnm|1a1=Brown|1y=1991|1p=198|2a1=Fernández Olmos|2a2=Paravisini-Gebert|2y=2011|2p=128}}  His consort is [[Maman Brigitte|Grand Brigitte]];{{sfnm|1a1=Brown|1y=1991|1p=380|2a1=Fernández Olmos|2a2=Paravisini-Gebert|2y=2011|2p=128}} she has authority over cemeteries and is regarded as the mother of many of the other Gede.{{sfn|Métraux|1972|p=114}} When the Gede are believed to have arrived at a Vodou ceremony they are usually greeted with joy because they bring merriment.{{sfnm|1a1=Métraux|1y=1972|1p=112|2a1=Fernández Olmos|2a2=Paravisini-Gebert|2y=2011|2p=128}} Those possessed by the Gede at these ceremonies are known for making sexual innuendos;{{sfnm|1a1=Métraux|1y=1972|1p=113|2a1=Brown|2y=1991|2pp=357-358}} the Gede's symbol is an erect penis,{{sfn|Beasley|2010|p=43}} while the ''banda'' dance associated with them involves sexual-style thrusting.{{sfn|Métraux|1972|p=113}}