Potomitan

Quick meaning: Potomitan is a noun meaning A sacramental post or pillar in the middle of the peristyle in front of a voodoo temple, used as the focus of certain rituals.

Meaning

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

Example Sentences

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

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.

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.

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.

Word Forms

• potomitans
• poteau mitan
• poteau-mitan
• poto mitan

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include pillar, peridrome, opisthodomos, fanum, pronaos, peripteros.

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