hounsi

English

Alternative forms

• ounsi

Etymology

From Haitian Creole, from Fon.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈ(h)uːnsi/

Noun

hounsi (plural hounsis)

1. A voodoo initiate; a helper for a houngan or mambo.
   • 1953, Maya Deren, Divine Horsemen, McPherson & Company, published 2004, page 48:

     At the entrance to the tent, the hounsis stretch out upon the mats.

   • 1985, Wade Davis, The Serpent and the Rainbow, Simon & Schuster, page 48:

     Each hounsis remained anonymous, focused inward and turned away from the audience toward the poteau mitan and the drums.

   • 1995, Karen McCarthy Brown, in Cosentino (ed.), Sacred Arts of Haitian Vodou, South Sea International Press 1998, p. 214:

     In both Rada and Petwo modes of ritualizing, it is customary for ounsis to show respect to priests and priestesses through such ritual salutations.