Houngan, also known as oungan or makandals are male priests of the Haitian voodoo religion.  Houngans act as a servant to the loa. Loa are the spirits or the ghosts that practitioners of the voodoo religion pray to. Loa are the gods or spirits that run the universe, much like the Greek gods of the sea, sun, and so on. Houngans are possessed by Loa who use the bodies of houngans to send their message to their worshippers and the community. Houngans act as a bridge between the voodoo believers and the god Loa and help develop the relationship between them.

Houngans also function as the supervisor of temples that are made in respect of Loa. Houngans which are possessed by Loa are each chosen by the Loa themselves. Each Loa has a different rhythm and songs to which they dance, different clothing, and different sacrificial rituals. Houngans are often dreaming or in a trance while they are possessed by these spirits. Houngans are given this title of responsibility after passing through several rounds of initiation stages that announce they qualify for this role. There exists almost no hierarchical control in voodoo and all houngans are expected to do as they place to further worship the gods and benefit the communities.