Poteau-Mitan

“In the centre of the temple stands the ritual centre-pole, or the Poteau-Mitan. Not only does it support the roof, as where temples are huts; but it supports the spiritual rites which as a fact rotate around this centre pole. Much can be written about this the “high pole” of the temple, where divine power is “seen” to come down and possess those who worship. Essentially, it is to represent the paradise tree of ancient faiths. Various spirits are known to climb down from the heaven world above – for it is truly believed to extend itself into heaven worlds, beyond the star and planet painted ceiling of the houm’four, It climbs up, right up to “where the spirits of the Loa are said to reside”. It also invites a dance by believers called ‘volt’ee’, and long and slow moving circular movement, where the devotee ‘climbs and leaps’, jumping as he grabs imaginary – or mystically real – branches of friendly assistance, which help the faithful one to move ever upward, by a gentle pulling of the branches of this mysterious and sacramental tree, so as to be united with the awaiting divine or spirit ‘spouse’.

Everything that has been made to feel safe by the powers of the peristyle now comes to focus on how much is being given out by the Poteau Mitan. Powers come rushing down this tree like fruits shaken from a gently yielding providence; and this providence is a true and only provenance – the real home of the Loa – the other dimension of the Invisibles. How, I thought to myself, must this very essential belief be to the human race; since it was found everywhere. This Poteau Mitan, clothed in ritual colours flecked to show spirit- energy and activity, ‘touched’ as they say, or ‘tache’ by so many travelers, back and forth, stands as the image of the power or strength of Vudu, and shows itself in almost every map, one way or another as the holy centre of any and all universes.” - Vudu Cartography, Michael Bertiaux