Bosou Criminel

Atis Rezistans

Bosou Criminel

Atis Rezistans

Haiti Friends Collection

This sculpture powerfully represents “Bosou Criminel,” a formidable war deity in the Vodou pantheon. The artist has ingeniously crafted the piece in the form of a cross, blending traditional Vodou symbolism with Christian iconography, a common syncretic practice in Haitian spiritual art. At the heart of the sculpture, where the vertical and horizontal pieces intersect, lies a mesmerizing face covered in blue and green beads. This intricate beadwork serves as the piece's focal point, drawing the viewer's gaze and evoking a sense of the deity's penetrating presence. The use of blue and green symbolizes Bosou Criminel's connection to both sky and earth or his influence over life and death.

Two red daggers tied across the horizontal piece form an 'X' shape underneath the beaded face, adding a dramatic element to the sculpture. Red is associated with blood and war in Vodou symbolism, reinforcing Bosou Criminel's role as a war god. The 'X' formation represents the crossroads, a significant spiritual location in Voodoo's belief. It also serves as a warning sign, hinting at the deity's dangerous nature.