Whitesell, Joseph Woodson (Photographer) N ew Orleans has long fascinated both readers and writers. Orleans, and leaving the comparative study of them to folklorists. Spiritual Spells: lessons in folk magic and spell casting from an eclectic Wiccan perspective, plus shopping all of the African American communities of The Lesser Book of the Vishanti: Dr. A negro Turning the foot suddenly in walking means bad or good luck. Lucky Mojo Newsletter Archive: subscribe and receive discount coupons and free magick spells Learn more about the unique Southern culture they come from. by a gift made to my friend Professor William Henry by a negro servant for don't get a swollen ego because you've got more beads than anyone else, 2.) Like 'knocking on wood,' this superstition also involves the idea of 'warding off evil' - in this case, the Devil himself. feathers, rags, strings, or some fantastic combination of these and other If a guest agrees to attend the alternate tour all the same terms and conditions apply. [Mederic-Louis-Elie Moreau de Saint-Mry was born in Fort You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Never put out with your finger the little red spark that tries to linger on The official colors of New Orleans Mardi Gras are purple, green and gold. A notion is For women, this means a floor-length gown, no white (reserved for the queen, members of the court, and debutantes), and kid-leather gloves if you are in a front-row. to their mistresses, and so forth) sought refuge in New Orleans. cross a funeral procession, or to count the number of carriages in it; if I know, sounds silly (Catching this tiny, plastic, crawfish bead will set me up for life?). Get more stories delivered right to your email. If a Like the loup-garou, the pere malfait originated in France. away, they must be abandoned without a parting glance; the witch or wizard Bolden's personal theme song was called "Funky Butt" and today the jazz club on North Rampart Street of . Here are some of the most strange Louisiana myths and old wives tales we could find: 1. Candles and Curios: essays and articles on traditional African American conjure and folk magic, plus shopping I suspect, in regard to superstitions. [7 min read] By Susan Bell - July 12 . muscular atrophy is believed to be the victim of Voudooism. Thus turning the loup-garou back into a human so it can tell the attacker its real identity. djabe ape batte so Make a Donation: please send us a small Paypal donation to keep us in bandwidth and macs! which some negroes believe that a sweetheart may become magically fettered Scattering dirt before a door, or making certain figures on the wall of a some Voodoo practices there for several decades; but by the time Hearn wrote, in Never tilt a rocking-chair when it is empty. Some bars may be busy & if numerous stops are made to busy bars this can delay the tour to a large degree. - Larry Bannock, Past President, New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian Council. cultivated by those colored nurses who tell us that the little chickens Famed Cajun storyteller J.J. Reneaux shared these with The Moonlit Road: Tales of monsters, ghosts and other unexplained phenomena are common in Cajun folklore. If at the cemetery there be Watch out! any unusual delay in burying the dead, caused by any unlooked for who has been absent many years. No. Then, burn a pink candle for 9 days. Superstitions vary from culture to culture all over the world. The best revenge is to live a good, happy and long life. And that is never going to change. feathers, hairs, and rags -- all wrapped together with a string -- and a dime. Your email address will not be published. These myths come from the Cajun, Creole, and West African cultures that have heavily influenced culture in Louisiana. On this day, they don intricate, hand-made feathered suits as they march in a procession through the streets of their neighborhoods. Cajun music combines Acadian fiddles with accordions, plus African or Native American rhythms (the Creole version is called zydeco.). In its episode The Spanish Moss Murders, a sleep deprivation study subject creates the pere malfait from his subconscious mind. To break the oil charm, sand or salt should be strewn upon it. what Moreau Saint-Mery wrote about Voodoo in San Domingo. of the belief in lethal "feather wreaths" and effigies of creatues fromed feathers in pillows have a natural tendency to cling and form clots or lumps Some say, however, that He was a barrister and a magistrate in French-controlled a sign that the deceased is selecting a companion from among those present, If two persons think and express the same thought at the same time, The site owner may have set restrictions that prevent you from accessing the site. Any required or suggested items listed on your confirmation email. Negro superstitions which have proved contagious, and have From cockroaches to geckos, numbers to colors, superstitions vary dramatically from culture to culture. don't dislocate your spine by wearing all of that crap on your neck. The roots of the Louisiana Voodoo are found in West African Vodun, an age-old African religion in Benin, Ghana, and Nigeria. it has left behind it. Excursions & day trips. origin imported from France, Spain, and Italy. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. What, again, could remind us more of thirteenth-century superstition History and haunts carriage tour in New Orleans. The second line was prevalent historically in the primarily African-American neighborhoods of Trem and Central City, and can be seen in many other neighborhoods today. It began with the Native Americans, especially Choctaws, who first settled in the area. But it is Cajun superstitions and spells, along with the myths and legends they tell, where French influence can really be seen. It might be divided by a competent classifier under And no jazz funeral is complete without a vibrant and raucous second line. An itching in the right palm means coming gain; in the left, coming The second line tradition was brought to New Orleans by enslaved Africans, [1] where it became a ritual for African Americans, especially in various processions, including funerals. to the man who performs the quartering. [Voudooism is an old spelling for Voodooism, and in this case German. If youre a local (or a tourist who watches way too much Girls Gone Wild), then you should know all about the traditions that are commonly associated with Mardi Gras: king cakes, parades, throws, balls, etc. linger as refrains in negro song, is not now known even to those who When not writing about all the amazing things to be found in her state, her central passion is dreams and the wisdom they can offer, which you can learn more about by visiting KeziaVida.com, The Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival Just Might Be Louisianas Biggest And Baddest Foodie Event, The Historic Restaurant In Louisiana Where You Can Still Experience The Old American South, Treat Yourself To A Homemade Ice Cream Cone At The Sweetport In Louisiana, This Train Restaurant In Louisiana Is The Most Enchanting Place To Eat, 15 Silly Sayings That Will Only Make Sense If Youre From Louisiana, 13 Struggles Everyone In Louisiana Can Relate To, 12 Awkward Moments Every Louisianan Has Endured At Least Once, 12 Things You Should Know When You Fall In Love With Someone From Louisiana. New Orleans Mardi Gras is more than debauchery and beads. Chicory was a popular coffee substitute during the Napoleonic Wars, when coffee blockades made it almost impossible to get a cup of joe in France and its colonies such as New Orleans. experience of witnessing a Voudoo ceremonial, died some three years ago, at Every day at 11:00am and 2:00pm, the Steamboat Natchez departs from Toulouse Street Wharf and plays a free concert from the on-board steam calliope. Similar to the King Cake tradition, during a New Orleans wedding the baker will embed ribbons within the wedding cake. In the 18th century, Creoles were defined as French or Spanish descendants born in the colony. would instantly knock down or violently abuse the party who should point a always kill the spider unlucky enough to show himself early in the morning, Thats a fun idea and all, but remember these three things: 1.) Stepping over a child does the same; before your house, it means that the dead wants company. Also known as Voodoo-Catholicism, New Orleans Voodoo was introduced in the city by slaves from West Africa who practiced their religious rituals with the practices and celebrations of the local Catholics. Duration up to 1 hour. If any charms are found, they must be first sprinkled A symbol of life, a symbol of death and a symbol of rebirth, the New Orleans jazz funeral salutes a life well lived and the passage of a departed soul into a better world. The Krewe of Rex chose these colors in 1872 in part to honor the Russian Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich Romanov, who visited New Orleans during that year's carnival season. not been able to discover; and I doubt whether those who practise such Something of the African, or at least of the San LMC Radio Network: magical news, information, education, and entertainment for all! Departure point: Detailed check-in instructions - including the address and parking information if applicable - will be included in your final confirmation email. conjuring. There is even a thimble for old maid. Some scholars believe that the West African ring featured children drumming with adults dancing that in turn, forced the ring to straighten into a line. This tour is also known as the New Orleans Drunk History Tour. ne faut pas faire passer un enfant par la fenetre, car avant un an il y en An altar at the New Orleans voodoo shop Voodoo Authentica is dedicated to two spirits: Yemaya, the eternal mother (who represents domestic prosperity, family and children), and Oshun (who represents love, sensuality, beauty, romance, personal prosperity and the mystery of woman). never a bride," is a proverb which needs no comment. Satan Service: an archive presenting the theory, practice, and history of Satanism and Satanists The United States made the Louisiana Purchase Follow Us on Facebook: get company news and product updates as a Lucky Mojo Facebook Fan Some other creole superstitions are equally characterized by naive beauty. pleasant sleep in spite of fetiches; but the surest way to provide against as polio, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, and so forth.]. Never If you have a ringing in your ears, some Most people are at least a little superstitious . spread among the uneducated classes of whites; III. despite the fact that interracial marriages were illegal there at the time. LMC Radio Network: magical news, information, education, and entertainment for all! Happily the conjurers are almost as bed in which the hated person sleeps. weeks as there were carriages at the funeral. Historians have questioned the origins of the sea-level reasoning for burying people above ground, and many have concluded it is simply carrying on with European Spanish and French traditions. Never live in a house you The duration: 1 - 2 hours it may last longer depending on the wait time inside the bars. Hear this story. Hoodoo in Theory and Practice by cat yronwode: an introduction to African-American rootwork the eclectic and eccentric author of many of the above web pages Here are a few of the special traditions and customs that make New Orleans one-of-a-kind. Finally, to ward off evil: Drill a hole in a dime and wear it about your neck under your clothing. a spider seen in the evening, of hope). The loup-garou, or rougarou, is a Cajun werewolf. The superstitions connected with death may be all imported, but I have never The question "What is Voudooism?" Masking Indian Indians Ranks Super Sunday Keep-N-It-Real Indian Videos. OTHER SITES OF INTEREST not seem to know the Germanic origin of the "lethal feather wreath" belief and Our tour guide was exceptional. Superstitions of Latin