Marie Laveau
The Vodou Queen of New Orleans: Marie Laveau
Introduction
An anonymous person once said, ““He who influences the thoughts of his times, influences all the times that follow. He has made his impress on eternity.” 1. In one sentence, this quote can perfectly define the life of Marie Laveau. To this day, Marie Laveau is still known as the Vodou Queen of New Orleans. Because of her, Vodou was brought out of the shadows and into popular American culture. She was able to greatly contribute to of the history of African continuities and has had a profound impact on the lives of many African Americans. Along with being a very influential Vodou priestess, she was also a humanitarian. She was a very charitable person known for working tirelessly for the welfare of others. Even though she died in 1881, the spirit of Marie Laveau is present even in this present day. In her 79 years and beyond, Marie Laveau was able to have a great influence on the lives of many through her religious practices and humanitarian efforts. 2.
The Early to Mid Life of Marie Laveau On September 10th, 1794, Marie Catherine Laveau was born free in the French Quarter of New Orleans. She was considered a mulatto, which means she was of mixed white and black blood. People described her as very tall, with black curly hair and reddish skin. She was the daughter of a free Creole woman of color named Marguerite Darcantel and a wealthy white planter named Charles Laveau. Her parents had her baptized under the Catholic faith at the St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans. She was baptized by Pastor Pere Antoine who is also known as Father Antonio de Sedella; a beloved catholic priest. 3.
At the age of 25, she married Jacques Paris. Their wedding took place on August 4th, 1819 at the St. Louis Cathedral. The wedding ceremony was performed by Pastor Pere Antoine; the same pastor who baptized her. To this present day, their marriage certificate is still preserved in Saint Louis Cathedral.
Introduction
An anonymous person once said, ““He who influences the thoughts of his times, influences all the times that follow. He has made his impress on eternity.” 1. In one sentence, this quote can perfectly define the life of Marie Laveau. To this day, Marie Laveau is still known as the Vodou Queen of New Orleans. Because of her, Vodou was brought out of the shadows and into popular American culture. She was able to greatly contribute to of the history of African continuities and has had a profound impact on the lives of many African Americans. Along with being a very influential Vodou priestess, she was also a humanitarian. She was a very charitable person known for working tirelessly for the welfare of others. Even though she died in 1881, the spirit of Marie Laveau is present even in this present day. In her 79 years and beyond, Marie Laveau was able to have a great influence on the lives of many through her religious practices and humanitarian efforts. 2.
The Early to Mid Life of Marie Laveau On September 10th, 1794, Marie Catherine Laveau was born free in the French Quarter of New Orleans. She was considered a mulatto, which means she was of mixed white and black blood. People described her as very tall, with black curly hair and reddish skin. She was the daughter of a free Creole woman of color named Marguerite Darcantel and a wealthy white planter named Charles Laveau. Her parents had her baptized under the Catholic faith at the St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans. She was baptized by Pastor Pere Antoine who is also known as Father Antonio de Sedella; a beloved catholic priest. 3.
At the age of 25, she married Jacques Paris. Their wedding took place on August 4th, 1819 at the St. Louis Cathedral. The wedding ceremony was performed by Pastor Pere Antoine; the same pastor who baptized her. To this present day, their marriage certificate is still preserved in Saint Louis Cathedral.
Bibliography: Guiley, Rosemary. "Laveau, Marie." The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft. 3rd. New York, NY: Visionary Living, Inc, 1999. Web. . Holloway, Joeseph. Africanisms in American Culture. 2nd. Boomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 2005. 131-137. Print. "Influence Qoutes." ThinkExist.com. ThinkExist, 2010. Web. 23 Apr 2011. . Taylor, Troy. "Haunted New Orleans." Voodoo in New Orleans & The Legacy of Marie Laveau. Whitechapel Production Press, 2000. Web. 23 Apr 2011. . "Voodoo Queen of New Orleans." Marie Laveau. Squidoo, LLC, 2009. Web. 23 Apr 2011. .