Tinjo Alawe Kevin Wikse
Quite and ever-present, the loa of Indio/Taino origin, Tinjo Alawe, expresses the values of the river the Taino people venerate so much. Tinjo Alwae rarely speaks, and he never says in some lineages of Vodou. He communicates through intelligent hand gestures with deeply layered meaning. Tinjo Alawe speaks telepathically. Tinjo Alawe is an exceedingly elevated loa, on the same level as Belie Belcan. Like the relationship between Archangel Michael and Belie Belcan, Tinjo Alawe shares a similarly close working relationship with Archangel Raphael. Tinjo Alawe and Archangel Raphael are so intertwined in purpose. Archangel Raphael shares his image with Tinjo Alawe.
Tinjo Alawe is from the Taino people. He is a loa who is not of African origin. Within Vodou’s Dominican and Puerto Rican traditions, 1/3 of the loa are from the Taino, the Caribbean, and Arawak people. Tinjo Alawe heads that grand Indio Division of spirits and Loa, or Nation. A spiritual healer par-excellence and stalwart guardian. Tinjo Alawe enjoys standing in the background and silently observing, his keen eyes on the lookout for danger. From Indio Nation comes a powerful spirit called El Rei del Agua Dulce (King of the Sweet Waters), which shares the image of John the Baptist; it is through the authority of Tinjo Alawe that El Rei del Aqua Dulce licenses the initiating baptisms essential to Vodou. Without Tinjo Alawe, no Puerto Rican Vodou or Sanse transmission could exist.
Tinjo Alawe embodies “walk softly but carry a big stick.” Sadly, his quiet demeanor and easy-going nature (common among Indio peoples) make others consider him a pushover. Nothing could be further from the truth. His tranquility can become an earth-trembling war cry, complete with a stone ax, bow and arrow, and war club.
Tinjo Alawe can be consulted for any reason but is regularly called on for healing, purification, good fortunes, spiritual progression, and protection.
