The next very well recognized Loa Of The 21 Divisions is Candelo Sedifé (Saint Charles) owner of fire. His colour is red, his drink is tafía (dark rum), and he smokes tabaque (cigars).

Candelo Sedife (also called papa Candelo or El viejo Candelo) is a very stern and serious Loa. Candelo is a man's man. He enjoys rum, spitting, cock fights and women. His name its self suggests his hot nature. "Se dife" is Haitian Creole for "Is fire"; thusly "Candelo is Fire". And just that he is! His possesions aren't violent like some of the petros, but his pressence is revered. When he takes possesion of a horse like all other Loas, he gives the general greeting:"Bonswa a la Societé!" He then asks for his fulas (kerchif). He puts a red one on his head and, on occations, another red one across his chest or around his waist. Sometimes he would ask for his robe and cape, which are made from red satin cloth. He then asks for his tafia, and his tabaque. He almost always asks for 3 lit candels which he would pass through his body and sometimes place them in his mouth. Then he would put one between his big toe on both feet and keep the other one in his hand. Candelo is alwaysready for a fight, thusly he also likes to walk around with a machete in his hand--just in case. After all of this, he is ready to consult.

Since he is the owner of fire something he likes to do is pour some florida water on the floor and light it then walk through the fire. A variation of this would be when he would place the florida water on his hands and set them aflame; he'd then fan the flames out. Candelo likes cleaning people at parties with his hands often lit on fire and passing them through the person's body.

Candelo's presence is not to be taken lightly. He acts on impulse not carrying what the consequences may be. He is always more than ready to step up for one of his children. He always brings with him this sence of respect (for those whom actually have respect), and would not think twice about asking someone to leave if they are a trouble maker. And should they not wish to leave in a good way he has other ways of making it happen: with fire and his machete.

A little-known fact about this Loa is that he is a big flirt! He likes young women with feminine figures. No matter how bussy he may be he could always find time for the ladies becoming very charming and offering a sence of security and protection like a gentelman. Even though he is this rough-and-tough macho Loa he, too, has a gentle relax side. He'll make jokes (but makes sure to anounce that he's not a jokester) and also offer good advice to those in need. Only he often dilivers this in the form of "tough love".

In parties Candelo is usually called upon if there is a "cruze" meaning a spiritual malfunctionn brought about by negativity. He uses fire to purify the atmosphere by burning all that was and creating a new. He is very found of going to the door and spilling florida water and rum and setting it on fire, making a blazing trail from the front entrance to the center of where the party is going on. He'd also make those present cleanse themselves spiritually by passing theri hands, feet and bodies through the fire.

Many people are only aware of Candelo Sedife. But there are in fact other loas who carry this surname: Candelo Mufegallo (this Lwas name is one of controversy. I've known him to be called "Candelo Oufegai" "Candelo Ogoun Fegallo" "Candelo Mufegai/Mufegallo"; in either event this apect of him is more Petro than Rada wherein he has paths with the Nago Loa Ogoun Fegai. He is extremly similiar in nature to Fegai and acts like Sedife.

Candelo Siete E'pi' (Siete Espinas)

Candelo La F'onte (La Frontier).

Then come Lwas like Candelito of the Marassa rite (believed to be Candelo's son), Candelina and Candelita.

A service for Candelo would be a red candle and a glass of dark rum with a lit cigar on top. You may also offer him anything associated with fire. When serving this Loa one has to be very careful. Candelo could get "fire-happy" and forget that mortal things go up in flames reall quick. In the Dominican Republic he is fond of making bond fires and blowing gasoline out of his mouth onto lit wood to create a huge flame.