Shannon Taggart

I had seen possession before, but never so close. Mambo Carmen’s eyes flickered, then reopened, seemingly free of her. The body was wrapped, powdered and presented. We were called to greet this god, Baron Samedi, the kingpin Loa of the dead. Someone ushered me over, saying it was my turn. I took the arms and danced the crisscross salutation, the whole time looking deeply for Mambo Carmen in her eyes. A feeling rushed over me, I was really in the presence of this archetype. I became so excited by this that I didn’t realize I had dug my fingernails deep into Mambo Carmen’s hands. She did not flinch.