- 1). Prepare the area where the dancing will take place. If it is inside a voodoo temple, called a houngan, the area will already have an altar and centerpost. These are used in worship and are not necessarily needed for the purposes of dancing, but are often there. If the dance is in a private residence or public place, position an altar.
- 2). Prepare the altar. Place candles and stones atop the altar. Set the offerings in bowls at the base of the altar, or wherever there is space. Depending upon the Loas that are being honored, different offerings will be made. Generally, items could include: food, alcohol, tobacco, gum, toys, candy, jewelry, or even animal blood.
- 3). Make the Veves. A veve is a geometric design, which symbolizes a Loa. Each Loa has its own veve. For example: Legba is one of the Loa. He represents all the knowledge of voodoo and is seen as a gatekeeper. No message to the Loa can be heard without addressing him first. In that sense he is like the Christian Christ. Like a baptism, water is the initial offering to Legba. The veve for Legba is a cross and this symbol must be laid out before the dance. Take pinches of powder and draw the cross on the ground where the dance is to take place. This is usually done by the altar, or centerpost if inside. Symbols of other prominent Loa include: a serpent, heart and coffin. Make as many veves as necessary to represent the Loas.
- 4). Position the drummers. They will be facing the dancers. Do not obscure them. The drum is sacred in voodoo and is thought to belong to the Loas. The drummers need to see the dancers so that the Loa can directly communicate with them, through the drum.
- 5). Position the dancers. They will usually be in the middle of the room, surrounded by the rest of the attendees.
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