Haiti's National Confederation of Haitian Vodou (KNVA) has, for the first time, named a woman as its Ati, the title of its highest spiritual leader.

Florence Deltor Jean Joseph was installed on Sunday, October 18, in Limonade, in the North. She succeeds Prospère Louidor, who had been serving as Ati on an interim basis.

The KNVA brings together Vodou practitioners, and the Ati serves as its chief. The role was long held by Max Beauvoir, a biochemist and houngan who led the confederation until his death in 2015.

Vodou, recognized as a religion by the Haitian state, is central to Haitian culture, from music and art to the history of the independence struggle.