#Louisiana Hoodoo

[la-femme-au-collier-vert]

So you want to learn about Louisiana Voodoo…

door in New Orleans by Jean-Marcel St. Jacques

For better or worse (almost always downright wrong) Louisiana Voodoo and Hoodoo are likely to come up in any depiction of the state of Louisiana. I’ve created a list of works on contemporary and historical Voodoo/Hoodoo for anyone who’d like to learn more about what this tradition is and is not (hint: it developed separately from Haitian Vodou which is its own thing) or would like to depict it in a non-stereotypical way. I’ve listed them in chronological order. Please keep a few things in mind. Almost all sources presented unfortunately have their biases. As ethnographies Hurston’s work no longer represent best practices in Anthropology and has been suspected of embellishment and sensationalism on this topic. Additionally the portrayal is of the religion as it was nearly 100 years ago- all traditions change over time. Likewise Teish is extremely valuable for providing an inside view into the practice but certain views, as on Ancient Egypt, may be offensive now. I have chosen to include the non-academic works by Alvarado and Filan for the research on historical Voodoo they did with regards to the Federal Writer’s Project that is not readily accessible, HOWEVER, this is NOT a guide to teach you to practice this closed tradition, and again some of the opinions are suspect- DO NOT use sage, which is part of Native practice and destroys local environments. I do not support every view expressed but think even when wrong these sources present something to be learned about the way we treat culture

*Start with Osbey, the shortest of the works. To compare Louisiana Voodoo with other traditions see the chapter on Haitian Vodou in Creole Religions of the Caribbean by Olmos and Paravinsi-Gebert. Additionally many songs and chants were originally in Louisiana Creole (different from the Louisiana French dialect), which is now severely endangered. You can study the language in Ti Liv Kreyol by Guillery-Chatman et. Al.

Le Petit Albert by Albertus Parvus Lucius (1706) grimoire widely circulated in France in the 18th century, brought to the colony & significantly impacted Hoodoo

Mules and Men by Zora Neale Hurston (1935)

Spirit World-Photographs & Journal: Pattern in the Expressive Folk Culture of Afro-American New Orleans by Michael P. Smith (1984)

Jambalaya: The Natural Woman's Book of Personal Charms and Practical Rituals by Luisah Teish (1985)

Eve’s Bayou (1997), film

Spiritual Merchants: Religion, Magic, and Commerce by Carolyn Morrow Long (2001)

A New Orleans Voodoo Priestess: The Legend and Reality of Marie Laveau by Carolyn Morrow Long (2006)

“Yoruba Influences on Haitian Vodou and New Orleans Voodoo” by Ina J. Fandrich (2007)

The New Orleans Voodoo Handbook by Kenaz Filan (2011)

“Why We Can’t Talk To You About Voodoo” by Brenda Marie Osbey (2011)

Mojo Workin': The Old African American Hoodoo System by Katrina Hazzard-Donald (2013)

The Tomb of Marie Laveau In St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 by Carolyn Morrow Long (2016)

Lemonade, visual album by Beyonce (2016)

How to Make Lemonade, book by Beyonce (2016)

“Work the Root: Black Feminism, Hoodoo Love Rituals, and Practices of Freedom” by Lyndsey Stewart (2017)

The Lemonade Reader edited by Kinitra D. Brooks and Kameelah L. Martin (2019)

The Magic of Marie Laveau by Denise Alvarado (2020)

In Our Mother’s Gardens (2021), documentary on Netflix, around 1 hour mark traditional offering to the ancestors by Dr. Zauditu-Selassie

“Playing the Bamboula” rhythm for honoring ancestors associated with historical Voodoo

Voodoo and Power: The Politics of Religion in New Orleans 1880-1940 by Kodi A. Roberts (2023)

The Marie Laveau Grimoire by Denise Alvarado (2024)

Voodoo: An African American Religion by Jeffrey E. Anderson (2024)

[cantva190]

Representation of Haitian Voodoo in comics. Integrating its rich mythology and its deities. Art by: vodou.renaissance

[spoiledbratblog]

[theslowestpoke]

Today's useless teen wolf AU is everything is essentially the same except they live in Louisiana instead of California.

Stiles' dad is the sheriff of their parish, somewhere inoffensively middle-north like Rapides so they're surrounded by the national forest and still close to the Red River. It's a perfect place to hide a giant magic tree, for the record, and the bayou is no place for two teenagers to go stumbling around looking for a dead body. Best case you find it before the gators find you; worst case, your best friend gets his ass chomped by a rougarou.

Everyone knows the legends - the stories older siblings tell you with a lot less warning than your grandmother ever did - but they're just stories, right?

Except now that Stiles is really paying attention, there's way weirder stuff in the medicine cabinets at the vet clinic than you'd really need for dogs and cats and the bright blue paint on the outside of the building might be more than just an aesthetic choice for the doctor who always seems to know more than he's willing to tell.

When a family comes to town with their pretty daughter and French last name, Scott's already head-over-heels before Stiles can point out that there's bigger fish to fry. Lydia Martin is hosting the annual crawfish boil at her family's manor ("for charity," like they don't have their hands dirty from running a chain of river-boat casinos on the Red) and Scott needs to get his new claws in check if he's wants to steer clear of Argent. The hunter's been asking around in quick, clipped creole about all the recent rumors of black panther sightings, but Stiles knows that's not what he's really asking.

When the kanima starts wreaking on the town, Deaton sends Stiles to the graveyard to fetch a bag of dirt from his own mother's grave. He promises it will protect them and keep the kanima from escaping the rave, but only after Stiles accuses him of trying to use Claudia's memory in a curse. It works, but nothing else does, and Stiles has to break the line of goofer dust to let Isaac and Erica escape. He's definitely remembering that for the future.

[kemetic-dreams]

During the era of slavery, occultist Paschal Beverly Randolph began studying the occult and traveled and learned spiritual practices in Africa and Europe. Randolph was a mixed race free African man who wrote several books on the occult. In addition, Randolph was an abolitionist and spoke out against the practice of slavery in the South.

After the American Civil War, Randolph educated freedmen in schools for former slaves called Freedmen's Bureau Schools in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he studied Louisiana Voodoo and hoodoo in African American communities, documenting his findings in his book, Seership, The Magnetic Mirror. In 1874, Randolph organized a spiritual organization called Brotherhood of Eulis in Tennessee.

Through his travels, Randolph documented the continued African traditions in Hoodoo practiced by African Americans in the South. Randolph documented two African American men of Kongo origin that used Kongo conjure practices against each other. The two conjure men came from a slave ship that docked in Mobile Bay in 1860 or 1861.

[blackhalee]

🖤🙏🏿🖤

[themagikmirror]

We are here to Reap and Reclaim Birth Rights

Louisiana Creole Witch Healer Woman of God Queen in the Making Divine Feminine Living Ancestor Sacred Channel Love Beauty Force of Nature Goddess

I came to the River in pain. It was then where I began learning the ropes of surrender. Little did I know I was being healed and given space to release, like a mother and its child. When I chose to step deeper into my spirituality, I did not know the river wasn't merely a force of nature, but a sacred entity. I didn't know power was there. Now I stand at the river grateful for the shedding, healing, care, peace and space given to me when I felt weak. Growing into more of me, embracing my calling in this life is to embody a unique brilliance for myself and others. When I don't hide my light, I allow others to see their reflection. We all have the potential to be mirrors, but a divine mirror requires clarity of intention, presence & pureness of heart. It also requires a deep relationship with self and with our creator. I am The Magic Mirror, I wish to help people identify and embody their truths, light and build esteem and relationship within themselves, radiating outward. Join me....

Shot by : Yusef Davis - YD Photo & Art

[mysticalcosmicmyrrah]

Every now and then, I come across a place that makes me feel welcome and at home. This is difficult being a black woman in the south. We have to find spaces that treat us well. I had a great experience at this bookstore. I hate greedy corporations and would rather buy books locally. Red Stick Reads has a nice atmosphere, cute stickers, books by local authors, a funny owner, children's books, and he has books written by poc. If you are in Baton Rouge for whatever reason and happen to be a book nerd. Please check this place out. We need to support small businesses! ❤️

[3rdeyeblaque]

Today we venerate Ancestor & Hoodoo Saint, Charles Deslondes on the 212th anniversary of his passing. 🕊 (Updated 2024)

Deslondes was a Haitian-born brotha, believed to be from Saint Domingue, who was forced into the role of overseer on the Andry Plantation in Louisiana until he took up arms against them.

He was born on the Jacques Deslondes plantation around 1789. He was described as being as a “Creole mulatto slave by the name of Charles, “about 16 years old" & recorded to be a “field laborer.” Later, he was sold to the Andry Plantation of Col. Manuel Andre & forcibly worked as an overseer to 86 enslaved Afrikans.

Eventually, he organized enslaved Afrikans & maroons ahead of the legendary German Coast Uprising in what is now St. John the Baptist Parish, part of the German Coast off the Mississippi River.

On Jan 8th, 1811 Deslondes & 14 others attacked their slave "master" Andry Sr. (of the Andry Plantation in St. John's Parish) & killed his son. While Andry Sr. escaped, Deslondes & allies swept the plantation & fled into the Louisiana Territory. By January 10th their numbers swelled to 400-500. They successfully killed yet another slave "master", sending Whites from the area fleeing into New Orleans.

The governor of the Louisiana Territory assembled a militia of volunteers + 700 U.S. Army Troops & Navy Sailors to end to the rebellion after receiving intel on Deslondes' next move by the foolish few who betrayed Deslondes & Co in exchange for their own freedom.

"His hands were chopped off upon his capture; he was shot in both thighs and bullets were riddled throughout his body. Before he passed, his body was shoved into a bundle of straw and he was roasted alive as a warning to other rebels and "free" folks. [Later, he was decapitated & joined the heads of other rebels that were put upon spikes posted along major roadways throughout New Orleans.]  - as described by the U.S. Navy.

We remember Deslondes for his unprecedented leadership & bravery that spearheaded the first & bloodiest rebellion on U.S. soil of his time. We remember him for his cleverness, courage, & heroism that inspired so many others to liberate themselves rather than beg for something that cannot be given by man. We remember him for his immeasurable suffering & for giving the ultimate sacrifice for the love of us.

We pour libations & give him his 💐 today. Offering suggestions: light a white candle, libations of water, & Haitian cuisine.

‼️Note: offering suggestions are just that & strictly for veneration purposes only. Never attempt to conjure up any spirit or entity without proper divination/Mediumship counsel.‼️

[conjuremanj]

JuJus.

Juju is not just a objects but a practice that was and still is performed in West African countries. These objects or not good nor bad, but it can be used for both because they been infused with magical power.

The monkey’s head (above) are probably the most common juju seen in West Africa. In the south in New Orleans they're used quite often in voodoo as a object to protects a person or place from negativity and evil. (Important) There made from something which was once alive. Such as a tree that was used to make let's say mask, totem pole, doll, or a gator head, etc. Jujus can be hung above the door of a home or business, or placed on an altar or anywhere in the home that needs protection.

(Left) a juju doll not my photo. (Right are my alligator teeth juju

Juju operates by using physical contact. The belief is that two entities that have been in close contact have similar properties even after being separated. Which is why a person’s hair, fingernails, a piece of clothing, a shoe, a sock, or a piece of jewel all these things that were worn by a person are perfect candidates for a juju because it contains the essence of that's person's spirit.

Specialists with strong knowledge and experience would typically create a juju. The specialist may be anyone with spiritual knowledge and experience. Because juju's is commonly used as treatment for physical and spiritual ailments from healing insect and animal bites to stoping curses.

[la-femme-au-collier-vert]

I was watching In Our Mother’s Garden (2021) on Netflix last night and was surprised to see Dr. Zauditu-Selassie cook for and feed the ancestors at around the 1 hour mark in what fits Dr. Brenda Marie Osbey’s description of an authentic voodoo tradition. Dr. Zauditu-Selassie explains her family of creole descent was matrilineal and “believed in Hoodoo,” though she is now a priest of Obatala in the Lucumi tradition. I understand many of the African diasporic religions share commonalities, though distinct, such as feeding the ancestors, but this is probably the closest to an authentic and respectful depiction that exists out there.

I’ve linked a list of additional resources on Lousiana Voodoo and Hoodoo here.

[cantva190]

Representation of Haitian Voodoo in comics. Integrating its rich mythology and its deities. Art by: vodou.renaissance

[esqueletosgays]

THE SKELETON KEY (2005)

Director: Iain Softley Cinematography: Dan Mindel

[thecrookedcypress]

🌟 Delving into the mystique of Voodoo and Hoodoo! 🌟

Ever wondered about the distinction between Voodoo and Hoodoo? Let's unravel the mysteries! 💫

🔮 Voodoo: Rooted in West African spiritual traditions, Voodoo is a religion with deep spiritual and cultural significance. It encompasses a belief in a supreme creator, spirits, and ancestors. Rituals often involve ceremonies, dances, and the honoring of spirits through offerings.

🕯️ Hoodoo: Originating in the Southern United States, Hoodoo is a folk magic practice that blends African, European, and Indigenous American traditions. It focuses on herbalism, potions, spells, and charms to manifest desired outcomes. Hoodoo practitioners often work with elements of nature and incorporate Christian symbolism.

While both Voodoo and Hoodoo share roots in African spirituality, they manifest in distinct ways, reflecting the diverse cultural landscapes in which they developed. Embrace the richness of these traditions and explore their profound depth! 🔍✨

[thedivineprince]

New Orleans National Vodou Day: 2025

NONVD

https://www.vodouday.org/

#RespectTheVoodoo #LOVEmyNewOrleans

#OurSacredStories

@DivinePrinceTyEmmecca

@OurSacredStories

@LilithDorsey

#Benin #VodouDay #Ouidah

@nationalvodouday #NONVD #NONVDNOLA #NewOrleansNationalVodouDay #NationalVodouDay

#Haiti

⚜New Orleans, Louisiana, USA 🇺🇸✊🏿🇧🇯✊🏿🇭🇹

#NewOrleans #Louisiana

[blackhalee]

Happy HooDoo Heritage Month 🖤