Simbi is not one spirit but a family of lwa in Haitian Vodou, the spirits of fresh water: springs, rivers, streams and marshes. Their roots lie in the religion of the Kongo peoples of Central Africa, where the bisimbi were spirits of water and of particular places.
Spirits of fresh water
In Haiti, the Simbi lwa live in springs and pools and are associated with rain and with the life that fresh water brings. They are often linked with serpents, and sometimes with crabs, creatures that move between water and land.
Knowledge and magic
Simbi are also known as spirits of knowledge, often said to have particular skill in magic and in the preparation of charms. Because they belong partly to the Rada and partly to the Petwo nations, Simbi are sometimes described as spirits who move between worlds; one of their names, Simbi Andezo, is usually understood as "Simbi of the two waters".
In Haitian art
Simbi and their vèvè appear in the work of Haitian painters and flag-makers, and Haitian art collections, such as that of the Figge Art Museum in Iowa, include images of them.
Simbi in jewellery
A Simbi design honours the spirits of fresh water and the Kongo heritage of Haitian Vodou.
Take a look at the AURYN design, or read our introduction to the lwa of Haitian Vodou.
