New Orleans Voodoo originated in West Africa and Haiti, and was brought to New Orleans by enslaved Africans and their descendants in the late 18th century. It remains practiced by approximately 3,000 African Americans and Creoles in New Orleans today. Voodoo integrates West African and Catholic beliefs and utilizes spirits, deities, and ancestors for guidance, protection, and to influence the physical world through rituals, altars, spells, and charms. A famous historical figure was Marie Laveau, a voodoo queen in 19th century New Orleans who was revered for her spiritual abilities. Key practices include the creation of gris-gris amulets and the maintenance of spiritual altars

1. New Orleans Voodoo
Devon Benefield, Ke’Mara Ryan, & Ayden Avalos
INT-244
April 21, 2023

2. Demographics
Where?
● New Orleans, Louisiana
○ Originally practiced in Benin,
West Africa
○ Haiti
Population
● 2,500 to 3,000 people practice voodoo
as of 2014 (in New Orleans)
● African Americans and Creole
populations in New Orleans
(Anderson, 2016)

3. History & Biography
● 1797 was the first observation of vaudaux by a Martiniquean traveller named
Médéric Louis Moreau de St. Méry
● “observed among the slaves of the French colony of St. Domingue” (Miller, 1995,
p. 291).
● African religious traditions came to America with the first Africans
● A very important priest named Oseijeman Adefunmi
● Wanted to re-Africanize the Caribbean tradition
○ This would be done by removing the European influence
● Voodoo found it’s way into the United States
○ Mainly New Orleans, Louisiana

4. Beliefs
Deities
- multiple gods and goddesses who are associated with different aspects
of life, such as health, love, and prosperity
Ancestors
- There is a strong belief that ancestors have a strong connection to the
supernatural realm
- give direction, safety, and spiritual understanding
- Communicated through altars
Spirits
- dwell in spiritual realm
- reached through a variety of communication and divination methods
(ie. Tarot cards)
Spells & Charms
- The spells are used to bring about a desired outcome
- The charms are objects such amulets, talismans, mojo bags, or gris-gris bags
- to connect with the spiritual realm and influence the physical world
(Fandrich, 2007)

5. Marie Laveau
Known as the voodoo queen who influenced voodoo
culture in New Orleans
- Had powerful spiritual abilities which allowed
her to communicate with the spirits
- Healed the ill, kept individuals protected (all
through her spells)
- She was the leader for the ceremonies and rituals
- Her followers were brought together through
admiration for Laveau as a spiritual leader and
their common belief in the power of voodoo
- Even now, her legacy is still honored and
appreciated
(Anderson, 2009)

6. Practices
Gris-Gris
● A voodoo amulet
● Originated in Africa (protect the wearer from evil and bring good luck)
● Consists of a small cloth bag inscribed with verses from a African ancestor
● Contains a few small objects
● When voodoo was brought to the states the definition quickly changed
● Enslaved africans used them to bring “black magic” on their victim
(Touchstone, 1972)

7. Practices
Spiritual Altars
● Altars play a major role in Louisiana voodoo
● Serve as a focal point for rituals, ceremonies, and spiritual practice
● Altars are specific to a voodoo spirit or ancestor (practitioners can seek
guidance)
● People often place offerings like food, drinks, flowers
● Doing so honors the spirits and you can ask for blessings
● Area of worship
(Schmitt et al., 2019)

8. Reflection
Ke’Mara:
● A fascinating and intricate religion, but it does offer a unique perspective on spirituality and the interaction between
people and the supernatural
● I’m glad I got to research voodoo because there is such a stereotype behind it
Devon:
● I like how their traditions and practices are more talked about then written down
● Probably why voodoo is often misunderstood
Ayden:
● This is something I really had no knowledge about and when I did think about I put it with other
religions.
● I did not know how much they rely their spirits they worship

9. References
Anderson, J. (2009). The voodoo queen unearthed: three recent biographies of Marie Laveau. Nova Religio, 13(1), 110–114. https://doi-
org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1525/nr.2009.13.1.110
Anderson, S. (2016, February 27). Voodoo Is Rebounding in New Orleans After Hurricane Katrina. Newsweek. https://www.newsweek.com/2014/09/05/voodoo-rebounding-
new-orleans-after-hurricane-katrina-266340.html
Fandrich, I. (2007). Yorùbá Influences on Haitian Vodou and New Orleans Voodoo. Journal of Black Studies, 37(5), 775–791. https://doi.org/10.1177/0021934705280410
Timothy, M. (1995). America’s Alternative Religions. SUNY Press.
https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=6308&site=ehost-
live&scope=site&ebv=EB&ppid=pp_293
Touchstone, B. (1972). Voodoo in New Orleans. Louisiana History: The Journal of the Louisiana Historical Association, 13(4), 371–386. http://www.jstor.org/stable/4231284
Schmitt, R., O'Neill, H., & Hartel R. (2019). New Orleans Voodoo: A Cultural History. Charleston, SC: The History Press. ISBN 978-1467137997.