Hounfour
The Vodou temple is called a Hounfour, and the leader of the ceremony is a male priest called a Houngan, or a female priest called a Mambo. The term is believed to derive from the Fon houn for, "abode of spirits."
At the centre of the temple, is the potomitan, a post used to contact spirits, and a highly decorated altar. There is a feast before the ceremony, and a particular pattern relating to the Lwa being worshiped is outlined on the temple floor.
Dancing and chanting accompanied by beats from rattles and religious drums called Tamboulas begins. One of the dancers is said to be possessed by the Lwa, enters a trance and behaves just as the Lwa would. An animal, normally a chicken, goat, sheep or pig, is sacrificed and its blood is collected. This is used to sate the hunger of the Lwa.
