This handmade voodoo libation bottle is dedicated to the loa (or spirit) Bosou. it has a beautifully crafted overlay of bright pink sequins affixed with gold and clear beads and patterned with black, silver, white, and red to create the portrait of a horned bull. The overall appearance is cheerful and gives the impression of sweetness, pink usually the ruling color of attraction and the beginning stages of romance, but the bull is shown with a red tongue. Libation bottles are used as devotional altar pieces in Haiti to honor a particular loa (or loa) of human or divine origin, that were created by Bondye (God) to assist the living in their daily affairs and allow access to the divine.

The loa Bosou (also known as Bossu) represents masculine strength, and is sometimes known to be violent. His ancestry stems from the deceased Dahomean King Tegbessou in Vodou. Bosou is a large horned demon spirit who resembles a bull but with three horns instead of two, representing the three traits of strength, wildness, and violence. He is in charge of ruling, and is often in the employ of Baron Samedi, the stylish ruler of the dead, to keep things straight in his absence. Very popular in times of war, Bosou is known for defeating the enemies of his followers, and for protection as they travel at night. He likes white rum and pork.

11” X 4” X 4” (diameter); DD