| Baron Samedi's Top Hat | |
|---|---|
| |
|
Origin |
Baron Samedi/Dutty Boukman |
|
Type |
Top Hat |
|
Effects |
Re-animates the dead into a trance-like state |
|
Activation |
Contact before and after death |
|
Section |
|
|
Date of Collection |
Around 2012 |
| [Source] | |
Origins[]
There are several myths about the Baron in Haitian Loa lore. He is the patron of graves and cemeteries and the father of the the Guede family of Loa. He is often depicted with a top hat and cane with a friendly smile. He is also responsible for the resurrection of the dead, leading to his association with voodoo.
The exact origins of the artifact are unknown, but it was last seen with the Haitian slave Dutty Boukman, who used it to re-animate his fellows to lead a rebellion agains their masters. The hat was not seen since and it is unknown if it was created by his desire for revenge or was in fact a relic of the Guede king.
Effects[]
The hat seems to require two points of contact to properly work. The wearer must approach the intended "zombie" before they die and make contact with them. Agents at the time noted this as being when Dutty would place his hand on the shoulder of his fellow slaves, as if for support. Following this, the wearer must then make contact after death. The exact reqirements aren't known, but on at least one occasion Boukman was heard to say 'Akeyi tounen", Haitian for "Welcome back". The corpse then rose from the shallow grave it was in. In the re-animated state, the victims are very suggestible and seem to obey almost any direct command.
It would appear that the initial contact makes some kind of ethereal link to the hat itself, and a second touch is almost like a jump start to the body. This is supported by the observation that the "zombies" are still technically alive and can be 're-killed'. Also corpses with significant damage cannot be re-animated.