Editing Lwa (section)

===Offerings and animal sacrifice===

[[File:VoodooValris.jpg|right|thumbnail|A large sequined Vodou "drapo" or flag by the artist George Valris, depicting the veve of the lwa [[Loko Atison]].]]

Feeding the lwa is of great importance in Vodou,{{sfn|Fernández Olmos|Paravisini-Gebert|2011|p=139}} with rites often termed ''mangers-lwa'' ("feeding the lwa").{{sfn|Métraux|1972|p=168}} Offering food and drink to the lwa is the most common ritual within the religion, conducted both communally and in the home.{{sfn|Fernández Olmos|Paravisini-Gebert|2011|p=139}} An ''oungan'' (priest) or ''manbo'' (priestess) will also organize an annual feast for their congregation in which animal sacrifices to various lwa will be made.{{sfn|Fernández Olmos|Paravisini-Gebert|2011|p=140}} The choice of food and drink offered varies depending on the lwa in question, with different lwa believed to favour different foodstuffs.{{sfnm|1a1=Métraux|1y=1972|1p=176|2a1=Fernández Olmos|2a2=Paravisini-Gebert|2y=2011|2p=139}} Damballa for instance requires white foods, especially eggs.{{sfnm|1a1=Métraux|1y=1972|1p=105|2a1=Brown|2y=1991|2p=274|3a1=Fernández Olmos|3a2=Paravisini-Gebert|3y=2011|3p=127}} Foods offered to Legba, whether meat, tubers, or vegetables, need to be grilled on a fire.{{sfn|Fernández Olmos|Paravisini-Gebert|2011|p=139}} The lwa of the Ogu and Nago nations prefer raw rum or [[clairin]] as an offering.{{sfn|Fernández Olmos|Paravisini-Gebert|2011|p=139}}

A ''mange sèc'' (dry meal) is an offering of grains, fruit, and vegetables that often precedes a simple ceremony; it takes its name from the absence of blood.{{sfnm|1a1=Brown|1y=1991|1p=190|2a1=Fernández Olmos|2a2=Paravisini-Gebert|2y=2011|2p=140}} Species used for sacrifice include chickens, goats, and bulls, with pigs often favored for petwo lwa.{{sfn|Métraux|1972|p=168}} The animal may be washed, dressed in the color of the specific lwa, and marked with food or water.{{sfn|Métraux|1972|p=169}} Often, the animal's throat will be cut and the blood collected in a calabash.{{sfn|Métraux|1972|p=175}} Chickens are often killed by the pulling off of their heads; their limbs may be broken beforehand.{{sfn|Métraux|1972|p=173}} The organs are removed and placed on the altar or vèvè.{{sfn|Métraux|1972|p=173}} The flesh will be cooked and placed on the altar, subsequently often being buried.{{sfn|Métraux|1972|p=175}}
Maya Deren wrote that: "The intent and emphasis of sacrifice is not upon the death of the animal, it is upon the transfusion of its life to the lwa; for the understanding is that flesh and blood are of the essence of life and vigor, and these will restore the divine energy of the god."{{sfn|Deren|1953|p=216}} Because Agwé is believed to reside in the sea, rituals devoted to him often take place beside a large body of water such as a lake, river, or sea.{{sfn|Métraux|1972|p=103}} His devotees sometimes sail out to [[Trois Ilets]], drumming and singing, where they throw a white sheep overboard as a sacrifice to him.{{sfnm|1a1=Métraux|1y=1972|1p=103|2a1=Fernández Olmos|2a2=Paravisini-Gebert|2y=2011|2p=126}}

The food is typically offered when it is cool; it remains there for a while before humans can then eat it.{{sfn|Brown|1991|p=49}} The food is often placed within a ''kwi'', a calabash shell bowl.{{sfn|Brown|1991|p=49}} Once selected, the food is placed on special [[calabash]]es known as ''assiettes de Guinée'' which are located on the altar.{{sfn|Fernández Olmos|Paravisini-Gebert|2011|p=140}} Offerings not consumed by the celebrants are then often buried or left at a crossroads.{{sfnm|1a1=Métraux|1y=1972|1p=177|2a1=Fernández Olmos|2a2=Paravisini-Gebert|2y=2011|2p=140}} Libations might be poured into the ground.{{sfn|Fernández Olmos|Paravisini-Gebert|2011|p=140}} Vodouists believe that the lwa then consume the essence of the food.{{sfn|Fernández Olmos|Paravisini-Gebert|2011|p=140}} Certain foods are also offered in the belief that they are intrinsically virtuous, such as grilled maize, peanuts, and cassava. These are sometimes sprinkled over animals that are about to be sacrificed or piled upon the ''vèvè'' designs on the floor of the ''peristil''.{{sfn|Fernández Olmos|Paravisini-Gebert|2011|p=140}}