![]() They are preparation, invocation, possession, and farewell. There are four phases to a voodoo ritual. The spirit is directly communicating in this way. The second instance is if a person is in a possessed trance then asks the people around them to sing and memorize it. The spirit reveals itself through dreams. The first is if someone has heard the song in a dream. There are only two ways a new song would be added to the voodoo repertoire. Many songs mirror tunes of the Catholic Church, as well as associate the Catholic saints with African deities. Sometimes they’re sung as if the deities were speaking (or singing). Sometimes the songs are sung to the deities. These descriptions include their names, likes and dislikes, origin, responsibilities, strengths, and weaknesses. The descriptions of the deities come out in the songs. Drums later became a prominent feature of Voodoo rituals. However, there were no drums, unless it was part of the weekly public ceremony in Congo Square in New Orleans during slavery times. Songs would be accompanied by patting, clapping and foot-stomping. Singing is among important rituals as part of voodoo worship. Modern Voodoo Rituals Voodoo practitioners gather to perform a modern Voodoo ritual. You might remember her portrayed by Angela Basset on season 3 of American Horror Story Coven. Her influence contributed to the adoption of Catholic practices into the Voodoo belief system. Marie Laveau is remembered for her skill as well as her compassion for the less fortunate. ![]() Also, a Catholic, Laveau encouraged her followers to attend Catholic Mass as a strategic way to protect their true beliefs. John’s Eve in 1874 attracted some 12,000 black and white New Orleanians. Once the news of her powers spread, she dominated the other Voodoo leaders of New Orleans. Her religious rite on the shore of Lake Pontchartrain on St. She was the most eminent and powerful of them all. They had the role of leading many of the ceremonial meetings and ritual dances. They were considered practitioners who made a living through the selling and administering of amulets, charms, and magical powders, as well as spells.Īmong the fifteen “voodoo queens” in neighborhoods scattered around 19th-century New Orleans, Marie Laveau was known as “the” Voodoo Queen. ![]() Voodoo queens were known to exercise great power in their communities. Louisiana Voodoo Queens Portrait of Louisiana Voodoo queen Marie Laveau. This allowed the older slaves to live much longer, which helped to embark wisdom and cultural history upon the people. This openness of African belief allowed for the adoption of Catholic practices into Louisiana Voodoo.Īnother component of Louisiana Voodoo brought from West Africa was the veneration of ancestors as well as the subsequent emphasis on respect for elders. Such as bones, nails, roots, holy water, holy candles, holy incense, holy bread, or crucifixes. The ground-up root was combined with other elements. The Ouanga, a charm used to poison an enemy, contained the toxic roots of the figuier maudit tree, brought from Africa and preserved in Louisiana. With so many African natives populating the city and keeping close ties, they managed to keep a lot of their old-world traditions and culture alive. Their knowledge of herbs, poisons, and the ritual creation of charms and amulets, intended to protect oneself or harm others, became key elements of Louisiana Voodoo. All of the groups were responsible for the development of Louisiana voodoo. Other groups such as the Bambara, Mandinga, Wolof, Ewe, Fulbe, Nard, Mina, Fon (Dahomean), Yoruba (Nago), Chamba, Congo, Ibo, Ado, Hausa, and Sango (Hall) also brought their cultural practices, languages, and religious beliefs rooted in spirit and ancestor worship. Voodoo in Louisiana has its beginnings in the early 1700s. From 1719 to 1731, the majority of African captives brought as slaves to Louisiana were Fon people from what is now Benin. African slaves brought it over during the French colonial period. The roots of Voodoo actually go back to West Africa. Photo by Globe Trotter Girls Voodoo’s Roots in Louisiana
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