What is "simbi"

In Haitian Vodou, Simbi (also Sim'bi) is a large and diverse family of serpent Loa. Some prominent Simbi Loa include Simbi Dlo (also Simbi d'l'eau - Simbi of the Water), Simbi Makaya, Simbi Andezo (Simbi of Two Waters), and Gran Simba. Traditionally in their Kongo context they are all associated with water, but in the Haitian Vodoun context they have wide ranging associations. For example, Simbi Makaya is a great sorcerer, and served in particular in the Sanpwel secret societies. Simbi Anpaka is a Loa of plants, leaves, and poisons.

Milo Rigaud (City Lights, NY; c1969; "Secrets of Voodoo") speaks of Simbi as the messenger of Legba. In this aspect Simbi is the bearer of souls to all places, and the creative principle.

Simbi is a mizik rasin band formed in 1987. The name of the band comes from the name for a family of vodou lwa, or gods, called the simbi.

Simbi almost always refers to something related to the vodou religion:

• In Haitian vodou, simbi is a large and diverse family of serpent loa, or gods.
• Simbi (band) is a mizik rasin, or vodou roots, band from Göteborg, Sweden.
• Simbi, Mali -town and commune