Secte Rouge
Encyclopedia
The Secte Rouge, also called the Cochon Gris or the Vinbrindingue, is or was a secret society
in Haiti
, which Zora Neale Hurston
described in her 1938 book Tell My Horse. She described them as a fearsome group of cannibals
who performed rites distinct from Voodoo. Hurston provided descriptions of ceremonies to the gods Maitre Carrefour
(Lord of the Cross Roads) and Baron Maitre Cimiterre
, a deity involved with graveyards.
Secret society
A secret society is a club or organization whose activities and inner functioning are concealed from non-members. The society may or may not attempt to conceal its existence. The term usually excludes covert groups, such as intelligence agencies or guerrilla insurgencies, which hide their...
in Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
, which Zora Neale Hurston
Zora Neale Hurston
Zora Neale Hurston was an American folklorist, anthropologist, and author during the time of the Harlem Renaissance...
described in her 1938 book Tell My Horse. She described them as a fearsome group of cannibals
Cannibalism
Cannibalism is the act or practice of humans eating the flesh of other human beings. It is also called anthropophagy...
who performed rites distinct from Voodoo. Hurston provided descriptions of ceremonies to the gods Maitre Carrefour
Kalfu
Kalfu, Kalfou or Carrefour is one of the petwo aspects of the spirit Papa Legba. He is often envisioned as a young man or as a demon; his colour is red and he favours rum infused with gunpowder...
(Lord of the Cross Roads) and Baron Maitre Cimiterre
Baron Cimetière
In Vodou, Baron Cimitière is one of the Guédé, a spirit of the dead, along with Baron Samedi and Baron La Croix. He is said to be the male guardian of the cemetery....
, a deity involved with graveyards.