In pictures: Haiti celebrates Day of the Dead

A devotee in the role of a spirit known as a Gede is seen during ceremonies honouring the Haitian voodoo spirits of Baron Samdi and Gede on the Day of the Dead in Port-au-Prince on 1 November, 2015AFP

Followers of voodoo in Haiti marked the Day of the Dead on Sunday

Haitians on Sunday marked the Day of the Dead by gathering in cemeteries.

Followers of voodoo, or vodou as it spelled in Creole, which was brought to the Caribbean country through the slave trade in the 16th and 17th Centuries, celebrated the spirits of Baron Samdi and others.

A rainbow is seen above devotees during ceremonies honouring the Haitian voodoo spirits of Baron Samdi and Gede on the Day of the Dead in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on 1 November 1, 2015AFP

They gather in cemeteries such as the National Cemetery in Port-au-Prince to engage with the spirits

A voodoo believer prays at Baron Samdi cross in the cemetery of Croix des Bouquets on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince on 1 November, 2015Reuters

In the cemetery of Croix des Bouquets on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince a cross is dedicated to Baron Samdi, one of the spirits of Haitian voodoo

A voodoo devotee in the role of a spirit known as a Gede is seen during ceremonies honouring the Haitian voodoo spirits of Baron Samdi and Gede on the Day of the Dead in Port-au-Prince on 1 November, 2015.AFP

Voodoo was officially recognised in Haiti as a religion in 2003

Voodoo followers take part in ceremonies honouring the Haitian voodoo spirits of Baron Samdi and Gede during Day of the Dead in Port-au-Prince on 1 November, 2015AFP

Since then, it has had the same status as other religions in the island nation

A voodoo believer participates in a ritual that pays tribute to Baron Samdi and the Gede family of spirits during Day of the Dead celebrations at the National Cemetery in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015AP

Followers dance and light candles and bring food offerings

Voodoo followers take part in ceremonies honouring the Haitian voodoo spirits of Baron Samdi and Gede during Day of the Dead in a cementery in Port-au-Prince on 1 November, 2015.AFP

Some smoke tobacco.

Voodoo followers take part in ceremonies honouring the Haitian voodoo spirits of Baron Samdi and Gede during Day of the Dead in a cemetery in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on November 1, 2015AFP

Others drink rum...

Two women participate in a Voodoo ritual in tribute to Baron Samdi and the Gede family of spirits during Day of the Dead celebrations at the National Cemetery in Port-au-Prince on 1 November, 2015.AP

...or use it to douse fellow practitioners with it.

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