Danthor Foundation
“Barak, barak oh, M’pa bezwen yon fanm ki jalou trop oh. Si m’pran yon fanm ki jalou pase Erzulie Danthor. Barak kondi m’ale nan simitye.”
The Danthor Foundation is one way to help supply aid and assistance to the children and Vodou families in Haiti.
The orphans and underprivileged in the mountainous land of the Lwa are far too numerous. The plight of the Haitian children has affected my heart greatly, as did the good works being done by many people from all over the world. I was blessed in 2008/09 to be able to work amongst the orphans and underprivileged families. I came away from Haiti with not only a very different belief and view on Vodou, but also an earnest desire to help.
On the Pwen of Danthor
One such view I held that changed was that of Erzili Danthor, like so many of us who live in far away places my only contact with Danthor had been through the written word of other people. Needless to say, any thoughts of meeting Danthor made me feel skimish and uncomfortable.
When I finally meet Danthor in 2008, what an experience! While I have no doubt that there is a great warrior in there, and I really wouldn’t like to make her angry, I have never met such an elegant and charming “woman”. She was absolutely beautiful and the energy and power, Force, flowed out of her in waves……
“‘Ayibobo!”
Needless to say, my perspective about Erzili Danthor changed entirely.
Danthor materialized in her chwal at Bwa-Cayman in 1791 and called her children to battle. After 13 years of extreme warfare, the free Nation of Haiti came into being on the 1st January 1804.
Mater Salvatoris is Erzili Danthor, in her left arm she carry’s Anais, her daughter. The scars on her face speak of powerful petwo origins. Her blue gown shows the love she has for all her children and her halo is her power and beauty. Erzili Danthor is also a hard working single mother and is a fearsome protector of children, keeping them safe from harm and ensuring their care.
To Walk the Pwen of Danthor
Make the connection with Danthor on Tuesdays.
Steep basil in water and in the evening light a blue candle. In Haiti this candle would be placed in the centre of the doorway and the door not opened again till morning. If you do this, place the candle in and on something flame proof and keep the door shut.
The blue candle could also be placed on a pe or in front of a picture of Danthor.
Wrap your head up in a blue mushwa, spray some perfume and pour her a glass of red wine, she prefers the fortified variety.
Dont forget to orient everything before you use it.
Pray, ask her to accept your offerings, and then, take the basil water and asperge everything; use the basil itself to flick the water about. Asperge the pe, yourself,the room, the bed, the furniture and the floor with the basil water.
Finally pour 3 libations in front of the pe, or at the door by the candle, then set any water remaining upon the altar, or your bedside table.
Speak with Danthor, ask her your questions and then sleep on it.
I found myself present at a consultation with Erzili Danthor and a kanzo candidate. She spoke again and again on the power of faith and prayer. She said to hold firm the belief that things desired would come to pass.
“Ask and you shall recieve”
When we offer Danthor honour and respect she will protect us from all harm.
After witnessing the great Force of Danthor and realizing just how much could be done with so little money (by our standards) for orphan children and the poor families of Haiti, the idea of the Danthor Foundation took hold in my mind. I arranged to meet with Danthor and spoke with her of my desire to help and asked if she would work with me for the children and families.
Just plain sensible I thought.
She agreed “Honour and respect to her. Ayibobo!”
On New Years Day, 1st January 2009 the Danthor Foundation began. At this point it was a dream with my friends, Jean-Jacques D’Jhonny & his aunt Mme. Margarette more than anything else. I did whatever I was able to help with the orphan kids and families before I left Haiti and returned to New Zealand early 2009. I kept my word and created the website appealing for help for the children and vodou families.
I returned to Haiti after the devastating quake that rocked the tiny nation. Everything has changed!
D’Jhonny and Mme Maragette living in damaged homes the children dispersed by the earthquake, our dream had gone as far as it could go.
My desire for an Orphanage was now even more urgent and fervent than it had ever been before.
I wasn’t in Haiti one week when Danthor answered my prayers, a compound has been made available. The owner, an Hougan is delighted that I want to start an Orphange there in the name of Danthor ……… So, the Danthor Orphanage awaits
The orphaned children are now even more numerous and the poverty-stricken have received no aid. All of these are Danthor’s children. You can assist with this work begun in the name of Erzili Danthor and I’m certain in return gain her support and protection.
“Honour and respect to her”
All of us who practice vodou in places far from Haiti can do so much for the children of the Lwa.
Lape Bondye avek nou Manbo Paula