2024 The New Orleans Voodoo Handbook by Kenaz NEUF

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.

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.

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