Granbwa Beaded Flag (Ruler of Forest)

Claude is a Haitian artist and his work is an example of the flags and banners of Haitian Vodun practice. His work is sold throughout Haiti and in some galleries in the United States. This example is made of cloth onto which glass beads and sequins are hand sewn. According to Patrick Arthur Polk, Vodun flags are meant to honor or invoke gods, as well as to depict their likenesses and attributes with dazzling displays of color. In addition, the beadwork may reference the African religious elements of Vodun which came to Haiti with African enslaved people. Haiti is an important part of the African diaspora and there is no other Caribbean nation that has such rich survivals of African-style music and dancing, and of religious beliefs and practices that relate to ancient African tradition.