Voodo in New Orleans

Gilberto VegaDiana HongZoë Spack

Origin

• Voodoo came to New Orleans from Africa. The first slave ship to arrive in New Orleans came in 1719. On the ship were the Fon people, residents of what is now the Republic of Benin.

What is Voodoo?

• Vodou comes from the languages of Africa and it means spirit

• Voodoo is the religion of spirits• It’s believed that the human world is shared

by the world of spirits, so when a person dies they become a part of the spirit world, but they are able to see the human world as well

Spirits

• Also called Loa• Each has their own sign• Legba is the most important• People call on them for help or to worship

New Orleans Voodoo

• Also called Louisiana Voodoo• Puts lots of emphasis on Gris-gris, occult

paraphernalia and Li Grand Zombi• Has a lot of characteristics of Christianity, like

associating Voodoo spirits with saints

Li Grand Zombi

• AKA Legba• Major Serpent Spirit• Deity of peace and purity, of platinum and

silver• It grants riches and sustains the world• It was the original servant of the creator (God)

Gris-Gris

• Usually a doll or bag, and is essentially a charm or a spell

• The bag will be filled with magical ingredients such as herbs, stones, oils, blossoms, roots, bones

• They’re used to assist in Health, Good luck, Love, Domination

Voodoo Queen

• Marie LaVeau• Was born free• Was said to have a snake named Zombi• Had prominent divination powers, but some

think it was because she had informants everywhere

• Was primarily a healer• Very famous in voodoo world, considered the

queen of it due to her fame and power

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kGcSSkOTcQ