1. Plural of houngan; priests or religious leaders in Haitian Vodou who perform rituals and serve as intermediaries between the spiritual and material worlds.
Usage: From Haitian Creole; Also spelled 'houngans' or 'hougans'; The singular form is 'houngan'

Examples

• The houngans in the community performed ceremonies to honor the loa, or spirits.
• Houngans undergo years of training to master the rituals and knowledge required of their role.
• During the festival, several houngans led the traditional Vodou celebrations.
• The houngans were respected as keepers of cultural and spiritual traditions.
• In Haitian Vodou practice, houngans serve as healers and counselors for their communities.