A peek inside the New Orleans Voodoo Museum (located in a teeny tiny building in the French Quarter).
The portrait on the wall is of the famous New Orleans Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau (born in 1801) She was known as a healer and specialized in love potions.
New Orleans Voodoo originated when the first slaves from Africa arrived on American soil. Voodoo comes from an African word pronounced “vudu.” The Africans brought with them their religion from The Congo in West Africa. They were not permitted to practice this religion so it merged in an covert way with Catholicism–it had similarities to Catholicism in that they believed in one God. Also, Catholic Saints were like Voodoo spirits–the spirits interact with mortals. Today’s Voodoo practitioners attend Catholic masses and have alters in their homes; spirit alters are side by side with Saint alters. The Catholic church does not recognize Voodoo but this is how modern day New Orleans Voodoo practitioners practice. The religion is officiated by Queens (females) and Doctors (males). Voodoo is rarely used for evil. A Gris Gris is the object and act used to evoke the supernatural powers of the spirits.
 |
| A Zombie whip from Haiti. A chemical from the blow fish can be used by a witchdoctor to create a death like state. Then a hallucinogen can be given to “awaken” the dead to create a zombie. In voodoo, there are other means to create zombies. Sometimes one’s soul is promised in return for favors (“given man” zombie) . |
 |
| A collection of original Voodoo dolls. |
 |
| Pip at the alter of L’Acallemun (water man). |
 |
| True Voodoo doll making and uses. |
Unknown
Very interesting. Pippi looks very scary!
Mix Hart
Pip was worried an alligator would get her on the bayou–I told her to L’Acallimun would protect us 🙂