History:
The history of the Creole Voodoo is directly linked to the African Voodoo, since the Africans were bought to Louisiana from West Africa in the 1700s. In general, there are three different phases to American Voodoo: African, Creole, and American. The Creole (Louisiana Voodoo)grew out of the African phase, and was at its height from 1830-1930. Creoles by definition are those that are native to LA. There was a lot of fusion between the African Languages, Louisiana French, and the cultures in general in this time era. Voodoo queens became more popular in this era, as well as Voodoo dances, rituals, and music that would eventually lead to what is southern jazz today.
The history of the Creole Voodoo is directly linked to the African Voodoo, since the Africans were bought to Louisiana from West Africa in the 1700s. In general, there are three different phases to American Voodoo: African, Creole, and American. The Creole (Louisiana Voodoo)grew out of the African phase, and was at its height from 1830-1930. Creoles by definition are those that are native to LA. There was a lot of fusion between the African Languages, Louisiana French, and the cultures in general in this time era. Voodoo queens became more popular in this era, as well as Voodoo dances, rituals, and music that would eventually lead to what is southern jazz today.
Historical Figures:
Marie Laveau was born in New Orleans in somewhere between 1794-1801. She was the first big, commercial Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, and made a name for herself that people to this day respect (and fear). She is believed to have been the daughter of a white field worker and an African American Creole woman. She started her career, not as a voodoo priestess, but rather a hairdresser that catered to both the white and block population in New Orleans. However, her path to voodoo became public after she became a nurse during the Yellow Fever epidemics in Louisiana. She used her medical training and herbs local to the area to treat her ailing patients. She was concerned about the souls of the dying, so it is said that she would sit with them right before death, and feed them their last meals to send them into the afterlife happy.
She was a very spiritual person who blended her Catholic background with her Creole background and her knowledge of voodoo. It is said that she helped many people in the area with ailments and problems (financial, personal, and business), but was specialized in finance and love. Through her work in the modern day French Quarter, she was and still is a revered, feared, and respected Voodoo queen. It is believed that once a Voodoo queen passes away, her spirit enters the “spirit of life,” moves to another realm that is besides the current realm, and can still influence, help, and harm the living. Many people visit her tomb in New Orleans today, with offerings of cigars, rum, and candy in hopes that she will aid them in their quest for love and success. Her place of burial is 1300 St. Louis St. in New Orleans, LA in the St. Louis Cemetery No. 1. (“Voodoo in New Orleans,” 2014). (“Marie Laveau,” 2014).
Marie Laveau was born in New Orleans in somewhere between 1794-1801. She was the first big, commercial Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, and made a name for herself that people to this day respect (and fear). She is believed to have been the daughter of a white field worker and an African American Creole woman. She started her career, not as a voodoo priestess, but rather a hairdresser that catered to both the white and block population in New Orleans. However, her path to voodoo became public after she became a nurse during the Yellow Fever epidemics in Louisiana. She used her medical training and herbs local to the area to treat her ailing patients. She was concerned about the souls of the dying, so it is said that she would sit with them right before death, and feed them their last meals to send them into the afterlife happy.
She was a very spiritual person who blended her Catholic background with her Creole background and her knowledge of voodoo. It is said that she helped many people in the area with ailments and problems (financial, personal, and business), but was specialized in finance and love. Through her work in the modern day French Quarter, she was and still is a revered, feared, and respected Voodoo queen. It is believed that once a Voodoo queen passes away, her spirit enters the “spirit of life,” moves to another realm that is besides the current realm, and can still influence, help, and harm the living. Many people visit her tomb in New Orleans today, with offerings of cigars, rum, and candy in hopes that she will aid them in their quest for love and success. Her place of burial is 1300 St. Louis St. in New Orleans, LA in the St. Louis Cemetery No. 1. (“Voodoo in New Orleans,” 2014). (“Marie Laveau,” 2014).