Voodoo in New Orleans

I should preface by saying that I do not know much about VooDoo. However, from what I have gleaned so far, this book is unusual in that it gives first-person accounts of VooDoo that date back to the late 19th and early 20th century. Those who urge us to read other, perhaps more "accurate" accounts of VooDoo, seem to be referring to books which have been written far more recently, such as within the last 20 years. This book was first published in 1944 and thus has the advantage of being able to include accounts and testimony of those who actually encountered "Marie II", aka the daughter of the original VooDoo Queen of NEw Orleans, Marie Laveau.The descriptions of VooDoo given in this book are not flattering. VooDoo rituals are invariably described as involving the sacrifice of live animals, sometimes done in a cruel or beastly fashion, such as when live animals are torn apart by human teeth: "LIve pigeons and chickens were sometimes introduced into the rites, to be torn to pieces with the fingers and teeth of the dancers." (p. 13) Live black cats are often immersed in boiling water, or slain at midnight in a graveyard. Numerous VooDoo "killings" are described. The VooDoo Queen herself is reduced by some witnesses to a glorified Madame: "The way I see it, that place wasn't nothing but a fancy kind of whorehouse, and Marie Laveau was the Madame." (p. 85)The practice of VooDoo is depicted as mainly having to do with types of manipulative, and quite often overtly harmful magic and spells that fly directly in the face of what has come to be many a modern occultists' ethical guideline: "An ye harm none, do what you will." VooDoo curses fly back and forth between persons who apparently do not have the psychological maturity to imagine that the misfortune they experience might be a result of their own behavior, or simply chance. In the VooDoo-saturated society of turn of the century black New Orleans, VooDoo work and "fixing" is superstitiously perceived to be at the back of every unfortunate event, and VooDoo itself is viewed by observers such as author Tallant as having power primarily over those folk who are sufficiently simple-minded to be susceptible to the self-fulfilling prophecies that suggestions of a curse can evoke. The author points out that VooDoo power apparently had little effect upon many whites, who, when finding a VooDoo "conjure ball" on their doorstep, simply swept the trash away with a contemptuous sneer. By contrast, Tallant suggests that those blacks who believed in a curse, seemed to kill themselves with their own fear.Curious readers of this highly engaging well-written, "I can't put it down" book will come away with unanswered questions, such as how it is that so many of the VooDoo spells worked, when directed at those who knew nothing of them. They may wonder with trepidation and awe, what exactly was seen, when Feltie Butler's widow observed "3 slimy snails and a little green frog" jumping out of his mouth, just before he died a "HooDoo death." Or why Corinne Mothershed saw 8 little blue snakes leap out of her MOther's mouth, before her mother apparently died by a similar VooDoo curse. However, given the generally scary picture that's painted of VooDoo by this book (we don't see much healing or life-affirming work going on), many readers are likely to conclude that if this is VooDoo, then they'll want to distance themselves from VooDoo and its curious power.

I've come to rely on historical references that were written long before the contemporary Political Correctness took hold of the American mindset.A book written during or before the 50s is almost like reading the observations of an alien culture.Tallant, during the late 40s, was able to separate the races into their distinct personalities without being persecuted for racism, and this book, Voodoo in New Orleans, gives a better picture of the true interaction of the races at the level of basic humanity -- desires, needs, sexuality, and theology -- than anything you can read by a modern author. The first paragraph in page eleven puts the proper perspective to the changes that brought about the end of slavery: "Children reared by Negro nurses loved them as they did their own parents and they were served by by their Mammies and other household servants with a fierce devotion."The South, though divided even as Tallant records, was the home of the co-mingling of races, though the change came even as some, then and now, perceived or perceive as one or the other of either morality or immorality.Reading this book will give you a true picture of the myths and perceptions of Voodoo, but more than that will give you a true perception of the bond of humanity, be it good or bad, moral or immoral, religious or irreligious, that has separated and, at least in this country, initiated the actions that (imperfectly, as yet) bind us together.

Growing up in New Orleans when I was young I remember when Voodoo was mentioned my grandmother didn't want to discuss it or hear anything about it. I don't know the reason why but I do know that people in New Orleans either believe in it and are afraid of it or they don't believe and don't know much about it. I find this a very informative book and very interesting. I believe some of what is written and some it it is just passed down stories. Voodoo is a very real thing here in New Orleans.

This is a wonderful glimpse into the history of New Orleans and Voodoo. It's really a shame that we can't find out the real truth of what really happened during this Era, especially the life of Marie Laveau. This book is basically stories that have been passed on, locals who have witnessed things, heresay, and accounts of what older people's recollections. This book was written in the 1940's, so it isn't what you would call a pc when describing race relations during the 1800's.I loved this book, it was fascinating that I could not put it down for days. I highly recommend reading Robert Tallant's second book, The Voodoo Queen as a follow up to this book. The Voodoo Queen seems to humanize Marie as a mother and wife, not some evil witch. Loved both books and cannot wait to read another Tallant work.

I had this book for over 30 years. The ONE book I always made sure made it everywhere I have been. The pages were brown so I ordered a new one and wow. Its been in my purse ever since. The stories are old but they take you back to a time in the 40's and you get to see exactly what was happening at that time in addition to the past. Highly recommend.

I really don't understand the negative reviews of this book at all. Even Anne Rice recommends it and what better recommendation about voodoo history in New Orleans can you get than Anne Rice!?! Yes, the story is old, but it's a fantastic look of the smaller details of a hidden culture. I love New Orleans, and Tallant's book is well researched. Why do you think it's been reprinted since the 1940s. That's staying power, people. The history of Marie Lavaeu is worth the money. This is not a book to tell you how to practice voodoo or to give you a romanticized version of the religion. This is a book which tells the evolution of a special society within a very special city. Now excuse me while I go fetch another praline! Buy it. It's a great read. [From a person who knows and loves New Orleans and hoodoo too!]

A thoughtful even-handed approach to a rather mysterious, oft misrepresented subject. It is helpful to keep in mind the year this book was first published (1946) if my memory serves me correctly. This enabled Mr. Tallant to speak with some of the then still living survivors of a brutal, disappeared world. I refer of course to the world of colonialism and slavery. Based upon his own research and the recollections of eye witnesses Mr. Tallant reconstructs as faithfully as possible the world in which Louisiana vodou/voodoo first thrived. This book is not simply of interest to occult historians but historians in general. The vast steamy cauldron that is Louisiana proved to be a melting pot of various different traditions. Catholicism, Traditional African Religion and European Witchcraft have influenced both the reality and the often false image of Voodoo. That is not to say this is a user friendly all inclusive system, a lot of elements of traditional Voodoo worship are quite shocking ( not the sex, I can handle the orgies) it was the animal cruelty I found distasteful. That said, this book is sold at the Voodoo Museum with good reason: it provides one with a crash course on both Voodoo beliefs and delineates the historical context in which it came to be practised.

Small text for late at night, interesting book, feels like a time warp

Fab book

Since my recent visit to New Orleans, I developed a small obsession with New Orleans, Voodoo and The Voodoo Queen Marie Leveaux.This book is just that and is very entertaining. It's well written for the time that the book was published, with an old time feeling in the way it's written. With historical facts and a trip back in time to the 1940's in one of the most amazing cities I have ever visited.Get lost in the misunderstood world of what was called "Vodu", and now known as "Voodoo" (I learnt that in this book).Sadly, I'm nearly finished reading it.

I enjoyed this book a lot, made me realise how little I knew about this era. The stories took me away and there is a sneak peek into certain spells.