Damballah Wedo is one of the most revered of the African gods, the serpent deity of peace and purity, of platinum and silver, and the one who grants riches and sustains the world. Optimism emanates from his presence, and it is he who is the original servant to the Creator. Damballah is an ancient loa, referred to as a “root” loa. Damballah is syncretized with St. Patrick and Moses.
Damballah Wedo was also called as the great Voodoo Queen stood up and holding up her snake Zombi over her head chanted: ‘Damballah— Ye—Ye—Ye!’ three times. The drums as usual beat with an increasing tempo. Damballah Wedo brings together the most powerful aspects of the male and female loas as one (Gandolfo 1992, 23).
Damballah’s partner is Ayida Wedo, the rainbow serpent. Though she is not mentioned in any nineteenth- or twentieth-century reports associated with Marie Laveau, it is common practice in New Orleans Voudou to serve the partner of a loa when known. Therefore, in New Orleans Voudou, Damballah and Ayida Wedo are always served together—the serpent and the rainbow.