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Definition of lwa

lwa

/lwɑː/
lwa

Plural:lwa
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lwa Lexical Profile

• noun

1

A spirit or intermediary deity in Haitian Vodou and Louisiana Voodoo, serving as a link between humanity and the supreme creator, Bondye.

Example

"During the ceremony, practitioners sing and drum to invite a lwa to temporarily possess one of the participants."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for lwa

Word Nuance & Usage

Often spelled 'loa' in older English literature and Louisiana Voodoo contexts; the spelling 'lwa' adheres more strictly to modern Haitian Creole orthography.

• Rhymes for lwa

Word Origin & Etymology

Haitian Creole, likely derived from French 'les lois' (the laws) or possibly from Yoruba 'oluwa' meaning 'lord' or 'god'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Lwa. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/lwa
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