Ayida-Weddo

In Vodou, especially in Benin and Haiti, Ayida-Weddo is a loa of fertility, rainbows, wind, water, fire, and snakes. Ayida-Weddo is known as the "Rainbow Serpent". Variants of Ayida-Weddo's name include Aida-Weddo, Ayida-Wedo, Aido Quedo, and Aido Hwedo.

Family

Ayida-Weddo is a member of the Rada family and a root, or (Old French) racine Loa. She is married to husband/companion Damballah-Wedo, the Sky God is also a Loa of creation. She shares her husband with his concubine, Erzulie Freda.

Symbols and offerings

Ayida-Weddo's symbols are the rainbow and white paket kongo. Her ceremonial colors are white and blue. Appropriate offerings to her include white chickens, white eggs, rice, and milk. Her favorite plant is cotton.

Function and presentation

The Fon people of Benin believe the rainbow snake Ayida-Weddo, created to serve Nana Buluku, held up the heavens. The creature had a twin personality as the red part of the rainbow was male, while the blue part was female. She is portrayed as a narrow green snake. Like Dambala, she lives in the sky as well as in all the trees, springs, pools, and rivers. In some West African mythology, Mawu the creator sent down Adanhu and Yewa from the sky with the rainbow serpent Ayida-Weddo.