Baron Samedi (Baron Saturday, also Baron Samdi, Bawon Samedi, or Bawon Sanmdi) is one of the Loa of Haitian Voodoo. Samedi is a Loa of the dead, along with Baron's numerous other incarnations Baron Cimetière, Baron La Croix, and Baron Kriminel. He is the head of the Guédé family of Loa, or an aspect of them, or possibly their spiritual father. 'Samedi' means 'Saturday' in French. His wife is the Loa Maman Brigitte.
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He is usually depicted with a top hat, black tuxedo, dark glasses, and cotton plugs in the nostrils, as if to resemble a corpse dressed and prepared for burial in the Haitian style. He has a white, frequently skull-like face (or actually has a skull for a face) and speaks in a nasal voice. He is a sexual Loa, frequently represented by phallic symbols and is noted for disruption, obscenity, debauchery, and having a particular fondness for tobacco and rum. Additionally, he is the Loa of sex and resurrection, and in the latter capacity he is often called upon for healing by those near or approaching death, as it is only Baron who can accept an individual into the realm of the dead.[1][2]
Baron Samedi spends most of his time in the invisible realm of voodoo spirits. He is notorious for his outrageous behavior, swearing continuously and making filthy jokes to the other spirits. He is married to another powerful spirit known as Maman Brigitte, but often chases after mortal women. He loves smoking and drinking and is rarely seen without a cigar in his mouth or a glass of rum in his bony fingers. Baron Samedi can usually be found at the crossroad between the worlds of the living and the dead. When someone dies he digs their grave and greets their soul after they have been buried, leading them to the underworld.
Baron Samedi is the leader of the Guédé, Loa with particular links to magic, ancestor worship and death.[3] These lesser spirits, all dressed like the Baron, are all as rude and crude as their master. They help carry the dead to the underworld.[4]
As well as being master of the dead, Baron Samedi is also a giver of life. He can cure any mortal of any disease or wound, if he thinks it is worthwhile. His powers are especially great when it comes to voodoo curses and black magic. Even if somebody has been afflicted by a hex which brings them to the verge of death, they will not die if the Baron refuses to dig their grave. So long as this mighty spirit keeps them out of the ground they are safe. He also ensures all corpses rot in the ground to stop any soul being brought back as a brainless zombie. What he demands in return depends on his mood. Sometimes he is content with his followers wearing black, white or purple clothes or using sacred objects; he may simply ask for a small gift of cigars, rum, black coffee, grilled peanuts or bread. But sometimes the Baron requires a voodoo ceremony to help him cross over into this world.
Baron Samedi is mentioned in the film Drive Angry, "Who do you think you are, Baron Samedi?"
Baron Samedi is a henchman of Mr. Big in the James Bond novel Live and Let Die as well as the 1973 film by the same name.
Graham Greene's novel The Comedians, set in 1960s Haiti, frequently refers to Samedi.
Samedi also makes an appearance in the 1974 film, Sugar Hill starring Marki Bey.
The main antagonist, Doctor Facilier, from Disney's 2009 The Princess and the Frog, is similarly made up like Baron Samedi.
An 'evolved human' (person with enhanced abilities) in the Tv Series Heroes (TV series) took the name Baron Samedi as an alias. The character appears in the show as a warlord in Haiti whose followers believe he is some kind of demigod because of his ability - inpenetrable skin.
Baron Samedi is a member of the conclave of gods called together in "Hammer of the Gods," a 2010 episode of the TV series Supernatural.
10cc recorded a song about Baron Samedi on their 1974 album Sheet Music.
The Pretty Things' concept album S.F._Sorrow features the song "Baron Saturday."
In the video game Saints Row 2, one of the game's gangs is called the Sons of Samedi, and act as such. The gang is known for a voodoo motif and for dealing a special kind of loa-themed smokable drug, along with standard sex and violence, which fits Baron Samedi's theme.
Baron Samedi also briefly appears in Neil Gaiman's American Gods.
In the tabletop RPG Vampire: The Masquerade, a bloodline of vampires who resemble (but are not) a typical zombie are known as the Samedi. Their forefather is known simply as "The Baron."
In the video game Dead Island, a character Sam B, sings a song entitled "Who Do You Voodoo" and makes a reference to Baron Samedi.
Often referred to in the book Dead on my Feet, part of the Halflife series by Wm. Mark Simmons.
Pop/soul singer Janelle Monáe features a Baron Samedi-like figure in his typical top-hat and suit in the video for her song Tightrope. Other lyrics and references in the song and video also have connections to voodoo.
Death/Thrash Metal band Ghoul (band) has a song titled "Baron Samedi" on their 2006 album "Splatterthrash"
In the Discworld novel Witches Abroad, by Terry Pratchett, one of the characters is a zombie by the name of Baron Saturday, who is the former ruler of the fictional country of Genua. Baron Saturday, towards the end of the book, dons a magical top-hat and tails that give him supernatural powers, in a typically Pratchett-like inversion of the idea of a Loa "riding" a host.
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