Voodoo queens and kings were spiritual and political figures of power in 1800s new orleans. Published on aug 1, 2018 marie laveau was said to be a voodoo queen in new orleans who cured the sick, sold grisgris bags, summon spirits and at. A study of powerful female leadership in nineteenthcentury new orleans routledge, 2005. She was a devout catholic, an independent businesswoman, a mother. This is a record of new orleans voodoo as it exists right now in ritual and in the hearts of its practitioners. Marie catherine laveau september 10, 1801 june 15, 1881 was a louisiana creole practitioner of voodoo, herbalist and midwife, who was renowned in new orleans. The undisputed queen of voodoo queens was popular with people of all races, who attended her ceremonies and asked for her advice in personal consultations. Using voodoo as the lens through which the city of new orleans is viewed, kenaz filan weaves a tale equal parts history, tourist guide, and introduction to voodoo as unique as the city itself. Voodoo dreams is the story of marie laveau, but its also the story of maman marie, grandmere, and the voudon queen. The new orleans spiritualist religion is a blend of spiritualism, vodun, catholicism, and pentecostalism. Louisiana is thought to be one of the most haunted states in the nation, with new orleans one of the most haunted cities. Folklore and later newspaper accounts, confirm that she was the voodoo queen of new orleans for at least 40 years from the 1820s to the 1860s. Well, it would be more true to say that its the only book i know which incorporates new orleans voodoo as a major element, and it certainly has a discworld spin on the theme, so its not exactly new orleans voodoo.
It is a religion connected to nature, spirits and ancestors. She has published so many books, papers and historical tours on this topic. A lot of slaves were brought to new orleans from other regions of the us and the caribbean as well. In the spanish islands, the new religion became known as santeria the worship of the saints. It is a cultural form of the afroamerican religions which developed within the french, spanish, and creole speaking african american population of the u. While her reputation precedes her as the notorious voudou queen of new orleans, in reality, she was a free woman of color who ruled the city during antebellum new orleans. The new orleans voodoo queen occult history explained duration. The spirited lives of marie laveau will change that. Located in the historic new orleans french quarter, we offer a wide variety of items to help in both learning. This part was not so interesting to me, but perhaps i am not the right audience for it.
Her good deeds for the colored community led her into the books of. I couldnt have found a more renowned expert on new orleans voodoo, history of new orleans voodoo. The woman most associated with new orleans and voodoo is marie laveau. The second half of the book delves into spells and instructions for other modernday voodoo practice. The only tour with free shuttle from the french quarter to st. New orleans spiritualist churches honor the spirit of black hawk, a sauk war chief who was influential in early 19thcentury illinois and wisconsin. All in all he provides a remarkable picture of new orleans and its life during the 1850s and the critical early years of the civil war. Embracing the spiritual legacy of the voodoo queen of new. Buy voodoo in new orleans by robert tallant online at alibris. Race and housing in chicago, 19401960 and urban policy in twentieth century america. Midlo professor for new orleans studies and university research professor at the university of new orleans. Tourist guidebooks, local color, and the spiritual. Take, for instance, the legend of marie laveau, the voodoo queen of new orleans.
The first four trips, which could be done as walking trips, are laid out in the french quarter. But even without the fictionalized tale, laveau was already a. This book,and books like it, preserve and communicate the present traditions of voodoo as it is practiced in new orleans. She is the author of the book the mysterious voodoo queen, marie laveaux. The legend, the killer, the novelist, and the anthropologist. I bought this book at the voodoo museum in new orleans.
Kalila smith, native new orleans practitioner, provides us a glimpse into the history of voodoo in new orleans. I was going to travel to nola and the haunted history of new orleans gives youa lot of info on haunted hotels and a lengthy chapter about marie laveaux and the brothers laffite. Marie laveau was born in 1801 as a free woman of color in new orleans, though there is much speculation about her race. Yoruba influences on haitian vodou and new orleans voodoo. Meet the real bloody mary voodoo queen of new orleans. The legacy of marie laveau, a new orleans hero youtube.
Read on to learn more about the lore and life of marie laveau. New orleans historic voodoo museum new orleans, louisiana. It contains spells, prayers, rituals, recipes, and instructions for constructing new orleans voodoo style altars and crafting a voodoo amulet known as a gris. Discover librarianselected research resources on new orleans history from the questia online library, including fulltext online books, academic journals, magazines, newspapers and more. The descriptions of voodoo given in this book are not flattering. Many legends have been told about her and the practice of voodoo. Marie catherine laveau was born in new orleans and rose to fame as a priestess of voodoo, or vodoun. List of books and articles about voodoo online research. University of new orleans very few books that come across my desk have impressed me as mich as queen of the south, new orleans, 18531862, the journal of thomas k. The real story of marie laveau, the voodoo queen of new. This book was first published in 1944 and thus has the advantage of being able to include accounts and testimony of those who actually encountered marie ii, aka the daughter of the original voodoo queen of new orleans, marie laveau.
The voodoo queen by robert tallant, abandoned places. The voodoo queen s grave is always decorated with flowers, cigars, alcohol, pictures, and more which are undoubtedly offerings. The history of new orleans voodoo and marie laveau is quite interesting. A significant number of slaves came from haiti, where voodoo had already taken the root as a national religion.
Rory schmitt and rosary oneill study the altars, art, history and ceremonies that anchor voodoo in new orleans culture. Mar 28, 2018 no other city so visibly encapsulates the mix of the old world and the new, and no other city so obviously displays its belief in the supernatural. Great book full of history and amazing information, i thought just a bit lacking. New orleans on saturday will inaugurate a shrine to the citys voodoo queen marie laveau that depicts her with a new look welcomed by local pract. In this book martha ward takes us on a grand adventure through voodoo country new a great biography on a historical legend. The new orleans voodoo handbook is about so much more than voodoo. List of books and articles about new orleans history. Because of its unique blend of french, spanish and indian cultures, new orleans offered a perfect setting for the practice and growth of voodoo. The second half of the book delves into spells and instructions for other modernday voodoo. They seek her favors or fear her lingering influence. Loyola oral history documentary with bloody mary, mambo gina and conjureman orion.
Center for louisiana studies, university of southwestern. Voudou louisianais, also known as new orleans voodoo describes a set of spiritual beliefs and practices developed from the traditions of the african diaspora in louisiana. Like her grandmother, marie sees visions from an early. Marie catherine laveau september 10, 1801 june 15, 1881 was a louisiana creole practitioner of voodoo, who was renowned in new orleans. About marie laveaus house of voodoo voodoo new orleans.
Marie laveaus house of voodoo and reverend zombies voodoo shop are located in the historic new orleans french quarter. Voodoo believers are most numerous in haiti, where voodoo was granted official religious status in 2003, and in benin, where the religion has had official recognition since 1996. For more than thirty years, the historic new orleans collection has been publishing books about the city and the gulf south as part of our mission to promote the study and preservation of our regions history and culture. Oct 01, 2011 the new orleans voodoo handbook is about so much more than voodoo. He is the author or editor of numerous articles and books, including making the second ghetto. The book had lots of background on new orleans, her history and the devastation caused by hurricane katrina along with the basics of voodoo, what it is, where it came from and the story of marie laveau the voodoo queen of n orleans. Locals, tourists and the strangely curious have enjoyed our stores since marie laveaus it first opened its doors in 1988. It contains spells, prayers, rituals, recipes, and instructions for constructing new orleans voodoo style altars and crafting a voodoo amulet known as a grisgris. Marie laveau the most powerful voodoo queen of new.
The first slaves arrived to new orleans in 1719 from west africa. In the mid1800s, many people in new orleans believed that voodoo practitioners could contact the spirits of the dead to ask for their help. Part of a long line of voodoo priestesses and healers, marie tells of the mystery, passion, and violence that pattern her life. This book gives an overview of new orleans voodoo, its origins, history, and practices. Voodoo in new orleans historic new orleans collection. Marie laveau was a wellknown magical woman who lived in new orleans in the 1800s. Voodoo queen of new orleans she was long and lovely from way down south, she had blood on her hands, blood on her mouth. Ive come to rely on historical references that were written long before the. At the end of queen new orleans, city by the river are altogether about six suggested trips around the town and its environs, but one could use the information to make more trips than six. Such is the account of voodoo in postcivil war new orleans. Kalila smith, native new orleans voodoo and witchcraft practitioner, provides us a glimpse into the history of witchcraft and voodoo in new orleans.
Voodoo in new orleans came home with us along with a couple of others in the series, all were good. The best books on new orleans recommended by tom piazza. Your guide will explain the unique aboveground burial custom and will give you an in. Spanning six decades of the 1800s, this mesmerizing story is a fictional biography of marie laveau one of the most haunting characters in new orleans history.
Voodoo is a religion, a philosophy in life for millions around the world. Laveaus powers reportedly included healing the sick, extending altruistic gifts to the poor, and overseeing spiritual rites. Marie laveau, the voodoo queen that ruled new orleans. Marie laveau was her name, but you might know her better as the voodoo queen of new orleans. Marie laveau, mysterious voodoo queen of new orleans. Tour one of the citys most haunted cemeteries, st louis cemetery no. Then, learn about queen nzinga, the west african leader who fought off imperial slave traders.
Voodoo in new orleans pelican pouch and millions of other books are. Their history, their beliefs, their superstitions, their folklore, and their customs from the creoles and cajuns to the german and irish immigrants that were still coming into the area when the book was written. New orleans voodoo queen marie laveau gets shrine that ole black magic has you in its spell. One woman stood out from the crowd managing to make herself infamous for this practice of magick. Learn about rituals, voodoo altars and artifacts from africa, haiti and old new orleans. While a bit dry the book reminded me of academic texts, lavaeus combination of catholicism and voodoo makes for a fascinating subject. The new orleans voodoo handbook by kenaz filan, paperback. Citing numerous sources new to history books, ward brings tumultuous nineteenthcentury new orleans vividly to life as she reveals the true nature of the. The new orleans historic voodoo museum is a great stop in the french quarter to learn about the voodoo history of new orleans.
In a city of wide and eclectic tastes, the new orleans historic voodoo museum fits right in. New orleans voodoo is also known as voodoocatholicism. Four years after hurricane katrina, dan baum, the author of nine lives, picks the best books on new orleans. Known as the voodoo queen, marie laveau is legendary in the state of louisiana and the world. In the new orleans voodoo handbook, kenaz filan begins with the critical eye of a historian before investigating new orleans voodoo as both a spiritual science and religion.
Marie laveau, new orleans nineteenth century voodoo queen, has become a popular character of modern culture. He was one of only four state project directors to remain in office for the duration of the federal writers project itself. Disaster and redevelopment in new york and new orleans kevin fox gotham, miriam greenberg. In other islands and in new orleans, the term voodoo remained. She is the author of daily spellbook for the good witch, wicca practical magic and the daily spell journal. The voodoo influenced spiritualist churches that survive in new orleans are the result of. Both were legendary leaders of religious and spiritual traditions many still label as evil. Follow the ghosts of the numerous characters of new orleans mysterious past. He recommends the five books that best represent the history and culture of the city pre and postkatrina. A cultural history and millions of other books are.
It was written in the 1920s and really digs into louisiana and new orleans culture. He strips away myth and fallacy, leaving us with fact, and gives us an insiders view of the faiths deepest mysteries. In her time, as well as today, marie laveau was known as the infamous voodoo queen of new orleans. And, like most discworld novels, its pretty standalone. The core belief of new orleans voodoo is that one god does not.
Johns eve rites on the shores of lake pontchartrain. Best new orleans books theres plenty here to choose from, so be sure to check out the whole list if you dont see one of your favorites. The voodoo queen pelican pouch series by robert tallant. Paranormal yas set in louisiana this list is for young adult or middle grade books that are set in louisiana and have a paranormal theme.
This is a great kindle book i read it out of curiosity. Strangely enough, shel silverstein you know, the guy who wrote the kids books the giving. She has lectured on new orleans and louisiana african american history and creole culture nationally as well as internationally, providing over 40 presentations at professional. A new orleans voudou priestess and millions of other books are available for instant access. Ward a professor of anthropology, urban studies, and womens studies at the university of new orleans has meticulously combed through baptismal and notarial records, court documents, and other concrete evidence of the laveaus lives. New orleans has a reputation for being mysterious and unusual. Marie laveau made a significant impact on the history of new orleans, but she probably had no idea shed one day be considered one of the voodoo. Whether its your birthday, anniversary, wedding or anything else, energizing it with voodoo ritual with bloody mary and honoring the spirits is a great choice. The spirited lives of marie laveau is the first study of the laveaus, mother and daughter of the same name. Post katrina new orleans voodoo documentary bloodymaryneworleans. Author denise alvarado explores marie laveaus life and work the fascinating history and mystery. Marie laveau is known as the voodoo queen in new orleans, and is one of the most wellknown historic figures in the citys history. New orleans voodoo and new orleans voodoo history ms. Take an educated tour about voodoo in new orleans from haunted history tours, island of algiers tours or free tours by foot.
After learning about marie laveau, the voodoo queen of 19th century new orleans, read about madame lalaurie, the most fearsome resident of antebellum new orleans. Ive reached the limit of how many books i can add by voting for them, so youll have to add your own from now on. I couldnt have found a more renowned expert on new orleans witchcraft and new orleans voodoo. On october, 2008, owner tom benson announced the new orleans voodoo would not be continuing operations in new orleans. Voodoo rituals bloody marys tours and haunted museum. Marie laveau was known as the voodoo queen of new orleans. Marie laveau is the wellrenowned voodoo queen of new orleans. Few of new orleans historical figures have achieved and maintained mythical status quite like voodoo queen marie laveau.
Sep 20, 2017 marie laveau quickly came to dominance as the voodoo queen of new orleans, taking charge of the public voodoo rituals and ceremonies held at congo square, one of the few locations in rigidly segregated new orleans where people of different races could mix freely. List of books and articles about new orleans history online. This book is not simply of interest to occult historians but historians in general. New orleans voodoo as a social phenomenon came into its heyday during the 1800s. The voodoo queen arises from her thronethe embodiment of power and mystery. Bianca has been the reigning queen of new orleans voodoo since 1983 when she received the title from liga foley, her aunt by marriage and a granddaughter of marie laveaux i.
The louisiana project, whose publications included books on both new orleans and the whole state, was directed by novelist and historian lyle saxon, author of fabulous new orleans and children of strangers. History of new orleans witchcraft and new orleans voodoo. The real story of marie laveau, the voodoo queen of new orleans. Louisiana voodoo, also known as new orleans voodoo, describes a set of underground religious practices which originated from the traditions of the african diaspora. Bianca has presided over the secret sosyete that laveau founded carrying on the legacy of. History of new orleans voodoo new orleans visit new orleans. Theres a lot of stuff about marie laveau, the voodoo queen of new orleans. Bloody mary will guide you in to the exciting world of voodoo.
Born in 1794, marie laveau reigned as the undisputed queen of the. When we first meet marie, she is the voodoo queen and through the strength of damballah, has murdered john, her babys father in the midst of a ritual performance in new orleans. Part of this can be traced to the depiction of her in the third season of american horror story. The new orleans voodoo received the arena football leagues best support staff award during the arenaball awards ceremony held in new orleans on friday, july 25, 2008.
Post katrina new orleans voodoo documentary youtube. Synonymous with new orleans, voodoo first came to louisiana with enslaved west africans, who merged their religious rituals and practices with those of the local catholic population. Patti wigington is a pagan author, educator, and licensed clergy. Awardwinning writer tom piazza explains his fascination with new orleans. New orleans voodoo shop marie laveaus house of voodoo. By 1874, some twelve thousand new orleanians attended voodoo queen marie laveaus st. Louisianas voodoo religion history voodoo new orleans. A subject of many voodoo tours in present day new orleans, marie laveau was a wellknown woman who lived in the city in the nineteenth century. And, of course, no other city has its share of stories that would seem impossible anywhere else but the big easy. Its historical fiction, but not a bad read if you are interested in what was going on. There are few figures in new orleans history as alluring as marie laveau. A lot of research went into the book involving looking at historical city archives and. It is sometimes referred to as mississippi valley voodoo when referring to its historic popularity and development in the greater mississippi valley.
What are the most interesting books on new orleans history. The voodoo tradition continues in the crescent city even today. Marie laveau was said to use magical charms and potions to place or remove curses on those she wished to helpor harm. Each year, thousands of pilgrims visit the celebrated new orleans tomb where marie laveau is said to lie. Learning about voodoo in new orleans homeschool blogs. Erzulies voodoo new orleans voodoo history and new orleans.
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