The New Orleans Voodoo Handbook

by Filan, Kenaz

• ISBN13: 9781594774355
• ISBN10: 1594774358
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-08-16
• Publisher: Destiny Books

Summary

Kenaz Filan examines firsthand documents and historical records to shine light on the little-understood practices of the root doctors, Voodoo queens, and spiritual figures unique to the Crescent City.

Author Biography

Kenaz Filan (Houngan Coquille du Mer) was initiated in Société la Belle Venus in March 2003 after 10 years of solitary service to the lwa. Filan is the author of The Haitian Vodou Handbook, Vodou Love Magic, Vodou Money Magic, and The Power of the Poppy and coauthor of Drawing Down the Spirits. A frequent contributor to PanGaia, Planet Magazine, and Widdershins, Filan is the former managing editor of newWitch magazine and lives in Short Hills, New Jersey.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Part One
History

1    Born on the Bayou: The Rise of New Orleans
2    From Saint-Domingue to Washington: Revolution Comes to Louisiana
3    King Cotton, Lady Liberty, and Jim Crow
4    The (Re)creation of “New Orleans Voodoo”
5    When the Levee Breaks: Hurricane Katrina

Part Two
Traditions

6    Mardi Gras
7    Music
8    Food
9    Voodoo Temples and Curio Shops
10    Priests, Priestesses, Houngans, Mambos, and Chicken Men

Part Three
The Spirits

11    The Old Man at the Crossroads: Papa La-Bas
12    The Divine Mother: The Virgin Mary
13    The Great Serpent: Li Grand Zombi
14    The Voodoo Queen: Marie Laveau
15    The Warriors: Joe Féraille, St. Marron, and Yon Sue
16    The Miracle Workers: St. Expidité, St. Jude, and St. Roch
17    The Bringers of Good Fortune: St. Joseph, Assonquer, and John the Conqueror
18    The Indians: Black Hawk and the Black Hawk Spiritual Churches
19    The Roots: The Dead

Part Four
Practices

20    Candles
21    Oils
22    Spirit Dolls
23    Mojo Hands and Gris-gris Bags
24    Foretelling the Future

Part Five
Just Visiting or Settling Down

25    Visiting the Big Easy
26    Moving to New Orleans: Triumphs and Tragedies

Afterword: Deepwater Horizon and the Indomitable Spirit of Louisiana

Part Six
Appendices

Appendix 1 Great New Orleans Books, Movies, and Television

Appendix 2 New Orleans Musicians

Appendix 3 Preserving New Orleans

Notes

Index