LOA

n. (in Haiti) spirit in voodoo belief that is considered to be a protector and guide

LOA could stand for:Library of America, a famous American publisherLength Over All, commonly used to indicate maximum hull length of a vessel. LOA is the most commonly-used way of expressing the size of a boat, and is also used for calculating the cost of a marina berth (for example, £2.50 per metre LOA). Another measure of length is LWL - "Length, WaterLine" - which is more useful in assessing a vessel's performance. In some cases (particularly old yachts) LWL can be considerably shorter than LOA.Living Overseas Allowance, a sum paid to British Forces personnel stationed in other countries. It is intended to exactly counteract the financial effects of living in another country (international phone bills, for example) and the difference in cost-of-living, if any. The stated aim is to allow the individual or family to enjoy a similar standard of lifestyle to what they would have in the UK - no more, no less. A different rate of LOA applies to each country in the world and these are regularly updated according to the circumstances there.Letter of Agreement, signed off by a signing officer and two parties. It summarizes the agreement of 1 of the parties work for the other party. Similar to 'Statement of work' or a contract.Leave of Absence. This is common in the work force, if a patient becomes sick and takes a leave of absence.Letter of Agency.Left Occiput Anterior, The ideal/easiest position for birth is generally LOA (Left Occiput Anterior), with baby facing the mother’s back, chin tucked under, head looking slightly towards the mother's right side and the baby's spine along the left side of the mother's belly.
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The Loa (also Lwa or L'wha) are the spirits of the Vodou religion practiced in Haiti, and other parts of the world. They are also referred to as the Mystères and the Invisibles. They are somewhat akin to saints or angels in Western religions in that they are intermediaries between Bondye (Bon Dieu, or good god) - the Creator, who is distant from the world - and humanity. Unlike saints or angels however, they are not simply prayed to, they are served. Also, unlike other Western gods, they are not easily categorised into archetypal forms. They are each distinct beings with their own personal likes and dislikes, distinct sacred rhythms, songs, dances, ritual symbols, and special modes of service. Contrary to popular belief, the loa are not deities in and of themselves; they are intermediaries for a distant and uninterested Bondye.
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n. praise; playlet; prologue; reproof (Caribbean and Mexico)

v. praise, laud

n. carol, song of joy

v. loiter, lag behind; waste time; hang about

[Haitian] In the voodoo-religion of the Caribbean, the loa are a group of divinities who are concerned with the lives of humans and who often personify forces of nature. Their origin lies in West-African traditions, and their leader is Damballa. Some loa protect certain places or areas, such as cemeteries, crossroads, the sea, etc., while other loa are ancestral deities. The loa cult is lead by a priest (hungan) or priestess (mambo) and the divinities are invoked by vévé (magical pentagrams) and by singing and dancing. During these rituals, the names of the loa are often mixed with those of Christian saints (with which they show many similarities). The loa are represented by vévé drawn on the ground.