The Pluralism Project at Harvard University

History

The Flower of Abomey Society was founded in 2001 by Houngan Aboudja Mark Moellendorf with the help of several female leaders ('Manbo'). A traditional Haitian Vodou house, “Kay Aboudja”, or “Aboudja’s House,” is of the lineage of Manbo Marie Carmel Charles of New York. The Flower of Abomey Society, under Houngan Aboudja, adheres to the strictest orthodoxy in the practice of the Vodou religion, thereby maintaining it in its traditional form as it was handed down from West Africa, through Haiti, and into the diaspora. Kay Aboudja has members in Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Georgia, New York, and Canada, and affiliations with houses in New York, New Jersey, California, and Haiti.

Activities and Schedule

The Flower of Abomey Society provides many spiritual and community services, and is associated with a full botanica, or ritual supply store, New Orleans Mistic. Two annual services, or “parties,” are required for members: the Sevis Kay ('house service') and the Bain, the service during which magical talismans and amulets are created. In addition, Houngan and Manbo of Kay Aboudja offer spiritual baths, initiations, and many other ritual services, including consultation with the lwa (which may include becoming possessed or 'mounted' by a lwa), Ogou, Guede, and Metresse. In 2003 the Society began holding monthly programs and classes which are open to the public. Interested persons may be considered for initiation by elders of the Society. These graded initiation ceremonies include prepatory ceremonies such as a head-washing rite ("lave tet"). For certain ceremonies, such as the certification of a master drummer ("met hounto") trained drummers are flown in from New York City or Texas. Those who wish to be initiated through Hougan Aboudja (Mark Moellendorf) must travel with him to Haiti. Kay Aboudja also functions as a community center, providing not only spiritual leadership, but community service to the surrounding Faubourg Marigny section of New Orleans.

Directions from Loyola University
1. Go East on St. Charles Ave. towards Napolean 0.3 miles
2: Turn LEFT onto NASHVILLE. 1.0 mi
3: Turn RIGHT onto S CLAIBORNE AVE Continue on US-90 E. 1.8 mi
4: Merge onto I-10 E via the ramp- on the left. 1.7 mi
5: Take the LA-39/N CLAIBORNE AVE exit- no. 236B. 0.2 mi 6: Stay straight to go onto N. CLAIBORNE AVE/LA-39 S. Continue on LA-39 S. 0.5 mi
7: Turn RIGHT onto SPAIN ST. 0.2 mi
8: Turn RIGHT onto ST CLAUDE AVE/LA-46 W. 0.1 mi
9: End at 2267 SAINT CLAUDE AVE NEW ORLEANS LA