Saluting Freda, a spirit of Haiti

What's your favorite color? Favorite food? Favorite toy?

This sequined flag was made in Haiti, an island nation in the Caribbean. It honors Erzilie Freda and is filled with images of her favorite things.

Erzilie Freda is a Vodou (VO-dew) spirit. Vodou, commonly spelled voodoo, is a religion and way of life in Haiti and Freda is the goddess of luxury. She is thought to like sweet things such as hearts, lace, jewels, perfume, sweet foods and the colors pink and white. Flags like this are presented at the beginning of Vodou ceremonies that salute Freda and others.

Most Haitian flags are made of satin, velvet or rayon and are decorated with sequins, beads and fringe. They are also sewn, a job that requires lots of skill and patience.

Try making a simpler version of a Haitian flag that salutes you. Glue beads, sequins, glitter and other objects onto fabric. Include your favorite colors, foods, toys and anything else that is special to you.

You can see more examples of Haitian flags at the UCLA Fowler Museum's newest exhibition, "Saluting Vodou Spirits: Haitian Flags from the Fowler Collection," opening this Sunday in Westwood. For more information, call (310) 825-4361 or visit www.fowler.ucla.edu.

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This Learning Link was provided by the Fowler Museum of Cultural History, located in the heart of UCLA's north campus.