Mache Tét Anlé

Mache Tèt Anlè is a multidisciplinary thesis project that explores Haitian Vodou as a powerful source of cultural pride, spiritual connection, and resistance. Grounded in both academic research and personal reclamation, the project challenges dominant Western narratives that have long misrepresented Vodou through the lenses of colonialism, anti-Blackness, and U.S. imperialism.

The title, which roughly translates to “walk with pride,” reflects the spirit of the work; it is both a personal offering and a public invitation. As a queer woman within the Haitian diaspora, I began this project seeking to understand how Vodou had been demonized and distorted over time. That inquiry evolved into something more intimate: a journey of reconnection with my ancestors, my culture, and my spiritual lineage. Rather than centering the gaze of those who misunderstand Vodou, this project centers pride, reverence, and cultural memory.

At its core is a reference book introducing key spirits (Lwa) in Vodou, designed as an accessible resource for those beginning to engage with the practice. Catholic iconography is woven throughout the book and accompanying altar installation to reflect Vodou’s syncretic history, when, under colonial rule, practitioners masked the Lwa behind Catholic saints to protect their traditions. This was an act of creative survival and resistance.

The book is accompanied by a handcrafted altar dedicated to Ezili Dantor, a fierce protector of women and queer people, and a symbol of resilience and revolutionary spirit. Alongside the altar is a visual art catalog detailing the significance of each piece, as well as a takeaway pamphlet offering broader cultural context on Vodou’s history and contemporary practice.