Sevis Tet/Lave Tet Ceremony
Before the asson-lineage became prevalent, the Sevis Tet (aka Lave Tet in some areas) was considered the initiation into Vodou in many rural areas of Haiti. So let me explain to you a little more about what the Lave Tet is . . .
The Lave Tet is the cleansing, fortifying and finally baptism of one’s head. The head being the “seat of the soul” for an individual, which serves as a vessel for the all important Met Tet and the other spirits that walk with an individual. In many non-asson Lineages (such as the Tcha Tcha, the Deka Lineage and others) the Sevis Tet is the main initiation into the house and commits the person to that house. It also cements a bond between the person and his Lwa.
Like Kanzo, people undergo the Sevis Tet or Lave Tet for various reasons. It improves the life of the recipient and often his or her family too. It clarifies the mind. It is a super strong cleansing and is able to remove all sorts of spiritual negativity, no matter the strength of the negativity. Many individuals who are expierencing problems undergo the Lave Tet for this reason alone.
The Lave Tet takes three days. The first part of the ceremony is the cleansing. This removes all that spiritual grime that often attaches itself throughout time to people. Many have claimed to feel like a weight is being lifted off of them, and this is only the beginning. The Lave Tet is one of the most deeply moving spiritual ceremonies that one could go through. It is a Vodou Sacrament.
After the cleansing, participants are go kouche (Kreyol, lie down) in a badji prepared for them. During their time in here, participants will have knowledge revealed to them, visits from the Lwa, and ceremonies administered to them. During this time, the Lwa Met Tet (Spiritual Head Master) will be divined if necessary. Special secret ceremonies cement the bonds between the candidates and their Lwa. Possession is a common occurence during some of these ceremonies. Their heads will be strengthened and fortified.
Everyone will later on be baptized, their heads now consecrated in the service of God and Ginen. A fete will be commonly held to celebrate the beginning of a new life for everyone.
Luck
Houngan Hector
