Haiti-Culture: Vodou is about to choose a new National Ati

PORT-AU-PRINCE.— The Haitian Vodou sector is preparing to take an important step in its institutional organization. The Konfederasyon Nasyonal Vodou Ayisyen (KNVA) is launching elections on March 7, 2026, to designate a new National Ati, the highest spiritual and representative authority of Vodou in Haiti. This internal electoral process aims to renew the leadership of this structure, which has the mission to represent, structure, and defend the interests of Vodou priests and priestesses, the oungan and manbo, across the country. According to the electoral bulletin published by the KNVA, four personalities from the Vodou community are competing for the position of National Ati:
Carol De Lynch
Florence Deltor Jean Joseph
Leonel Mompoint Mondestin
Garnier Séjour In the Vodou tradition, the title of National Ati refers to a reference figure responsible for embodying the moral, cultural, and organizational authority of the sector. Beyond their spiritual role, the National Ati also acts as a spokesperson for Vodou in public debates and in relations with state authorities. This election takes place in a context where several actors in the sector wish to strengthen the institutional recognition of Vodou, a religion officially recognized in Haiti since 2003. Several observers believe that the future National Ati will have to work to strengthen the credibility of the sector and promote better representation of Vodou communities nationally and internationally. Jean Mapou / Le Relief