Meaning of potomitan | Babel Free

Definitions

A sacramental post or pillar in the middle of the peristyle in front of a voodoo temple, used as the focus of certain rituals.

Examples

“Around this poteau-mitan revolve the ritual movements and the dance⟳; at its base⟳ the offerings are placed; and through it the loa enter⟳ the peristyle.”

“Across from us two young men were setting up a battery of drums; they cast⟳ furtive glances at Rachel as she cracked open⟳ a bottle of rum, tipped it three times toward the poteau mitan, and took a drink⟳.”

“Next, swinging a censer, Divié blessed the poto mitan and all the ounsis who raised their skirts and swished them around to get⟳ the full effect of the incense.”

“The poteau-mitan is a ladder between Heaven and Earth, a pathway by which the ancestors can rise⟳ from below and the spirits descend from above.”

“The Lwa are believed to ascend or descend through the potomitan, which is therefore seen as a magical axis.”

CEFR level