Ogou: The Warrior Spirit Behind the JR Tancrede Cigar

Every JR Tancrede cigar carries a name with a story. Ogou is a name that carries centuries of history, from West Africa, to the Caribbean, to the founding of the first free Black republic in the Americas. Here is a look at who Ogou is in Haitian Vodou and why the name still resonates with so many Haitians.

Who Is Ogou?

In Haitian Vodou, Ogou (also written Ogun or Ogoun) is a warrior spirit, or lwa, associated with war, iron, fire, justice and leadership. Rather than one single spirit, Ogou is a family of spirits, each with its own character. The roots go back to Ogun, a revered figure of the Yoruba people of West Africa, and the beliefs crossed the Atlantic with enslaved Africans brought to Saint-Domingue, now Haiti.

The Ogou family is often linked with the colors red and blue, the colors of the Haitian flag.

Ogou and the Haitian Revolution

The Haitian Revolution is often said to have been sparked at a ceremony at Bois Caïman in August 1791, led by Dutty Boukman and Cécile Fatiman. Historians note that much planning came before that night, so it stands as a symbol of the start of the uprising rather than its only cause. Accounts of the ceremony describe a call to Ogou Feray, the spirit of the warrior general, for strength in the fight against French colonial rule.

Iron has a powerful meaning in this story. Iron had been used for shackles; in the revolution, tools like the machete became tools of resistance. Ogou Feray, the spirit of iron and the forge, became a symbol of liberation and morale for the people who fought.

The revolution was led by figures such as Toussaint Louverture, a gifted military leader, negotiator and statesman, and after his capture by the French in 1802, by Jean-Jacques Dessalines. Haiti declared its independence in 1804, the second nation in the Americas to gain independence and the first free Black republic. Many Haitians associate leaders like Louverture with the qualities of Ogou: courage, strategy, diplomacy and the will to build a better future.

One Spirit, Many Faces

Because Ogou is a family, each aspect shows a different side of the warrior spirit:

• Ogou Feray: the general and the forge, strength, authority and liberation.
• Ogou Badagri: a calmer statesman, linked to justice, honor and strategy.
• Ogou Balendjo: the "wet" Ogou, a protector of sailors and travelers, tied to healing and wisdom.
• Ogou Batala: a mediator and the "father of soldiers," bringing wisdom and law.
• Ogou Shango: lightning and divine justice, a warrior king.
• Ogou Panama: a newer spirit honoring Haitian workers abroad, especially those who built the Panama Canal, and their perseverance.
• Ogou Je Wouj: "Red Eyes," the raw force of the fight against oppression.
• Ogou Yansan: the warrior of the winds, linked to storms, protection and breaking barriers.

Across all of them, the common thread is discipline, justice, protection and leadership.

The Ogou Cigar

Our Ogou from JR Tancrede carries the name of this warrior spirit. It is a full-bodied, earthy Toro (6 x 50) with a Habana wrapper and a Dominican binder, made for those who like a bold smoke. In our tasting notes it pairs well with grilled and smoky food, from charbroiled oysters to Cajun shrimp. If you like a cigar with strength and character, this is the one.

New to cigars? Start with our beginner's guide, then come back to Ogou once you know what you like.

A Note on Respect

Vodou is a living religion with deep meaning for many Haitians. We share this history with respect for that tradition, and as an introduction only. We encourage you to read further from Haitian and academic sources.

Shop JR Tancrede at hispaniolacigarsdistributor.com, or find us in Vero Beach at The Pipe Den & Cigars, 1426 20th St, Vero Beach, FL 32960.

For adults 21 and older.