Baron Criminel (also spelled Baron Kriminel) is a much feared spirit or

loa ( ), also called loa or loi, are spirits in the African diasporic religion of Haitian Vodou. They have also been incorporated into some revivalist forms of Louisiana Voodoo. Many of the lwa derive their identities in part from deities venerat ...

in the Haitian Vodou religion. He is envisioned as the first murderer who has been condemned to death, and is invoked to pronounce swift judgment. Baron Criminel is syncretized with

Saint Martin de Porres Martín de Porres Velázquez (9 December 1579 – 3 November 1639) was a Peruvian lay brother of the Dominican Order who was beatified in 1837 by Pope Gregory XVI and canonized in 1962 by Pope John XXIII. He is the patron saint of mixed-r ...

, perhaps because his feast day is November 3, the day after ''Fête Guede'' or ''Fête Ghede'' ( ht, Fèt Gede). His colors are black, purple, white and deep blood red. Esperar confirmación de su loa

Worship

A person possessed by Baron Criminel shouts obscenities, spits libations to all past criminals and threatens to kill surrounding people who violate them. If, during possession, Baron Criminel is presented with food he does not like, he will threaten to bite chunks out of the arms of the possessed person. He sometimes calls for sacrifices of black chickens to be doused in

petrol Gasoline (; ) or petrol (; ) (see ) is a transparent, petroleum-derived flammable liquid that is used primarily as a fuel in most spark-ignited internal combustion engines (also known as petrol engines). It consists mostly of organic c ...

and set alight. The shrieking of the chickens when being burned alive is said to appeal to the cruel nature of Baron Criminel and appease him. Baron Criminel is said to be one of Baron Samedi's many aspects. Baron Criminel will often grant requests in lieu, he is said to return on Fete Ghede, the Voduns' "Festival of the Dead" (November 2), to claim payment.

References

Haitian Vodou gods Supernatural beings identified with Christian saints Justice gods {{Haiti-stub