Petwo - Hierarchy

Hierarchy

Haitian spirits, or loa, are divided into several "nations." Two of the major nations are the Rada and Petwo. The Rada loa spirits like Damballa, Erzulie Freda and Papa Legba -- are said to come from Africa, from the former Dahomean empire. Many scholars believe that the name "Rada" is a corruption of "Arara," an African port from whence many slave ships were launched. Rada spirits are typically thought to be peaceful or benign.

Some mistakenly refer to the Radah loa as "good" and the Petwo as "evil." This is misleading; the Rada loa can be used to make malevolent magic, while the Petwo can heal and do beneficial workings. They are more accurately referred to as "cool" and "hot," respectively.