The so-called traditional religions
Catholicism is widespread and in the majority in Cajun country and in New Orleans. The latter is very proud to have the oldest cathedral in the United States, the St. Louis Cathedral. Prior to Americanization, it was not fashionable to display a religion other than Catholicism. Protestants were looked down upon by the Creoles and the Jewish religion was totally forbidden. A clause in the Code Noir, put in place to regulate the slave population, stated that any Jew would be expelled from the territory. Spanish missionaries introduced Catholicism in the early 16th century and many were killed trying to convert the natives. The Jesuits, Capuchin monks, and Ursulines were the orders most present in Louisiana. Until the cession of Louisiana by France, Catholicism was the only authorized religion.
After leading several prayer groups since 1804, Joseph Willis, a Métis preacher, established the first Baptist church in 1812 in the Lafayette area. In 1806, in the Opelousas area, the first Methodist church in the state was established. The first Episcopal church was built in New Orleans in 1805, a Methodist church in 1813, a Presbyterian church in 1817, a synagogue in 1828 and a Baptist church in 1834. After the Civil War, blacks, no longer able to attend white churches, established their own religious groups, primarily Baptist and Methodist.
Hundreds of adults learned to read and write from the nuns, who for years were allowed to ride free public transportation in recognition of their dedication to teaching. Louisiana's civil code, based on the Napoleonic code, is influenced by Catholic education, especially in regard to family rules. Friday is still fish day in many homes. Lent is still a difficult time for restaurant owners who lack customers at this time. Catholic, Baptist and other schools still exist. Louisianans in general have developed a tolerance for gambling and alcohol and do not consider it a vice that leads them to the road to perdition. As a result, in New Orleans, live and let live is a unique attitude among American cities.
Today, places of worship remain regularly attended and very lively. Need we remind you that gospel music has its roots in Louisiana and that it gives rhythm to most religious ceremonies?
Voodoo
Voodoo originated in the ancient kingdom of Dahomey (southern part of present-day Benin), being also widespread in Ghana, Togo and Nigeria, and was then imported to Louisiana by slaves. Voodoo means "world of spirits". Originating from African animist cults, the entire religion is based on the fact that people live in a world where spirits, present everywhere, control their actions.
There are many misconceptions about voodoo, including that it is evil. Hollywood is largely responsible. For example, voodoo dolls were not originally used for evil but rather for healing. Needles were inserted into a doll representing the sick person and when they were removed, the evil disappeared. Thus, it is estimated that 90% of voodoo practitioners are benefactors, and only 10% of them are said to be ill-intentioned. It is important to know that the voodoo religion believes that every good or bad action has repercussions. Hence the few so-called "evil" practices.
Among the great particularities of Voodoo, we are particularly interested in theVoodoo Queen, who, at the time of slavery and the arrival of Voodoo in Louisiana, had to be a free woman of color and never a slave. The rules imposed by the whites could not apply to her. The character of the zombie is also found regularly, notably with "Li Grand Zombi", a god represented by a dancing man. These zombies first appeared in Haiti, where it was customary to poison criminals with plants. When they appeared to be dead, they were buried and then dug up 24 hours later by administering an antidote. They were then resurrected, but the adventure had cost them part of their brain, a lobotomy before its time, so to speak. These poor zombies were then employed for the hardest tasks.
Contrary to what one might think, the voodoo religion has many connections with Catholicism: Ishu, for example, is the guardian of the vows of duality (good and evil), a bit like Saint Peter is the guardian of the keys to heaven. The snake is a very important animal because it symbolizes the same duality (good and evil) that is life. 3 is the sacred number: the good and the evil that you do will be multiplied by three.
New Orleans has always lived to the rhythm of voodoo ceremonies. Blacks practiced their strange dances in Congo Square, near the St. Louis cemetery. Even today, this is where you will find the most information about this religion. In the rest of Louisiana, while the practices exist, they are almost invisible to anyone who is not from the area. Except for a few voodoo houses, barricaded with crosses and rosaries, you won't see any signs of it.
If you take a guided tour of St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, you will see several voodoo graves, marked with crosses and covered with offerings. The most famous is that of Marie Laveau, a mulatto born in 1794 who became the most famous voodoo priestess - and businesswoman - in the city's history. She sold love potions, potions, poisons, and gris-gris to blacks and whites, rich and poor, who sought her out. She read the future and organized ritual dances in her garden (1020 St. Ann Street: ceremonies are still held there today). Marie Laveau died around 1891 and was buried in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 under the name "Widow Paris. In the 1920s-1930s, the fashionable voodoo priestess was Amanda Dorsey Boswell Carroll.
Today, it is difficult to know who has the power to communicate with spirits, as people do not readily admit their beliefs, yet more than 15% of the population practices voodoo. The milieu is very closed to the uninitiated, but you can attend a ceremony on November1st (the Day of the Dead) if you are invited. If you want to learn more about the subject, we recommend the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum in the French Quarter or the Voodoo Spiritual Temple, also in New Orleans, where a priestess regularly performs enchantments. There are also several specialized stores in the city where you can find many ingredients and listen to explanations on voodoo practices. We also recommend reading Voodoo in New Orleans, by Robert Tallant, first published in 1946 by Pelican Publishing Company, a Louisiana-based publisher. This small paperback book tells the whole story of voodoo in the city, deconstructs the legends and tries to shed some light on practices that are still very secret.
Spirituality among Aboriginal people
Before the arrival of the first European settlers in the 17th century, the various Indian tribes that populated the territory practiced their own spirituality. This spirituality advocated harmony and interdependence between all forms of life, the so-called great circle of life. For example, food, which was considered a gift from the animal spirits, was considered sacred. As a result, meals were accompanied by rituals, singing and drumming, and ended with a dance of thanksgiving.
It should be noted that Aboriginal spirituality is mainly based on animism, the belief in a spirit or life force that animates living beings, objects and natural elements, as well as in protective genies. Aboriginal legends that still circulate today often make reference to this.
The fascinating cemeteries of New Orleans
The city's cemeteries have their own history. A visit to these cities of the dead provides an understanding of the history of the city and the French presence. Victims of famines and epidemics, the rich, the poor and politicians were buried close together. The Archdiocese of New Orleans runs most of these cemeteries. The older ones are walled, while the newer ones are wide open. The first cemeteries were built just outside the city. The marshy ground did not allow for burial in the ground, so all the graves were built above ground. Because of the limited space, families often own a crypt for several generations. Some of the vaults and mausoleums are true works of architectural art in all styles. St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, located at Basin and St. Louis Streets on the edge of the French Quarter, was built in 1789 and houses the ashes of New Orleans' pioneers including the first mayor, Etienne de Boré (1741-1820). Due to the numerous vandalisms on the graves of voodoo celebrities (such as Marie Laveau), this cemetery is, since 2015, only accessible with a guide (advance reservation recommended). For more information on the cemeteries of the Archdiocese of New Orleans: nolacatholiccemeteries.org/historic-cemeteries
