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WHO IS MARIE LAVEAU?
Marie Catherine Laveau was a free woman of color (Creole) in New Orleans in the 1800s. She is best known as the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans. She was a devout Catholic, an independent businesswoman, a mother, and healer who lived her life in accordance with the corporal works of mercy.
Marie Catherine Laveau was a free woman of color (Creole) in New Orleans in the 1800s. She is best known as the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans. She was a devout Catholic, an independent businesswoman, a mother, and healer who lived her life in accordance with the corporal works of mercy.
WHY IS MARIE LAVEAU FAMOUS?
While her reputation precedes her as the notorious Voudou Queen of New Orleans, in reality, she was a free woman of color who ruled the city during antebellum New Orleans. This was no small feat.
While her reputation precedes her as the notorious Voudou Queen of New Orleans, in reality, she was a free woman of color who ruled the city during antebellum New Orleans. This was no small feat.
WHAT NATIONALITY WAS MARIE LAVEAU?
American (Afro Creole)
American (Afro Creole)
HOW OLD WAS MARIE LAVEAU WHEN SHE DIED?
79 years (1801–1881)
79 years (1801–1881)
WHERE IS MARIE LAVEAU BURIED?
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, New Orleans, LA.
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, New Orleans, LA.
WHEN DID MARIE LAVEAU DIE?
June 16, 1881
June 16, 1881
WHEN WAS MARIE LAVEAU BORN?
September 10, 1881.
September 10, 1881.
WAS MARIE LAVEAU A CATHOLIC?
Yes, she was baptized into the Catholic faith by Father Pere Antoine when she was just 6 days old at St. Louis Cathedral. She also married, attended Mass, and had her children baptized at St. Louis Cathedral.
Yes, she was baptized into the Catholic faith by Father Pere Antoine when she was just 6 days old at St. Louis Cathedral. She also married, attended Mass, and had her children baptized at St. Louis Cathedral.
WHERE IS MARIE LAVEAU REALLY BURIED?
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, New Orleans, LA.
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, New Orleans, LA.
IS MARIE LAVEAU A WITCH?
Although some references to Marie Laveau in popular culture refer to her as a "witch," she is properly described as a Voodoo Queen and Priestess, femme traiteur, and Hoodoo practitioner.
Although some references to Marie Laveau in popular culture refer to her as a "witch," she is properly described as a Voodoo Queen and Priestess, femme traiteur, and Hoodoo practitioner.
WHAT DID MARIE LAVEAU DO?
Marie Laveau is famous for being the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans and for making a business out of hoodoo. She was a devout Catholic, an independent businesswoman, a free woman of color, a mother, and healer. Marie Laveau’s life and works embody what the Catholic Church calls corporal works of mercy—charitable actions that help our neighbors in their bodily needs, such as feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick, visiting the imprisoned, and burying the dead.
Marie Laveau is famous for being the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans and for making a business out of hoodoo. She was a devout Catholic, an independent businesswoman, a free woman of color, a mother, and healer. Marie Laveau’s life and works embody what the Catholic Church calls corporal works of mercy—charitable actions that help our neighbors in their bodily needs, such as feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick, visiting the imprisoned, and burying the dead.
DID MARIE LAVEAU HAVE ANY CHILDREN?
Marie Laveau had two children with her first husband Jacques Paris: Marie Angèlie Paris born on November 27, 1822, and Felicité Paris born in 1817, exact date unknown. She also had seven children with her second life partner Christophe Glapion, from 1827 to 1838: Marie Eloise Euchariste, Marie Louise Caroline, Christophe, Jean Baptiste, Francois, Marie Philomene, and Archange. Only Eloise and Philomene survived to adulthood. Marie Philomene reportedly became her mother’s successor in the world of New Orleans Voudou and is known as Marie Laveau II.
Marie Laveau had two children with her first husband Jacques Paris: Marie Angèlie Paris born on November 27, 1822, and Felicité Paris born in 1817, exact date unknown. She also had seven children with her second life partner Christophe Glapion, from 1827 to 1838: Marie Eloise Euchariste, Marie Louise Caroline, Christophe, Jean Baptiste, Francois, Marie Philomene, and Archange. Only Eloise and Philomene survived to adulthood. Marie Philomene reportedly became her mother’s successor in the world of New Orleans Voudou and is known as Marie Laveau II.
WHO WROTE THE MAGIC OF MARIE LAVEAU?
Denise Alvarado
Denise Alvarado
WHY DON'T THEY BURY THE DEAD IN NEW ORLEANS?
Because New Orleans is built on swampland, the Dead cannot be buried in the ground, lest they resurface and float away. Consequently, all but the poor and indigent are laid to rest above ground in elaborate crypts, wall ovens, and mausoleums. Decorative ironwork and sculptures adorn the plots, making the cemeteries resemble little cities; hence the nickname, Cities of the Dead. The cemeteries in New Orleans attract a lot of visitors each year because of their unique, historic character.
Because New Orleans is built on swampland, the Dead cannot be buried in the ground, lest they resurface and float away. Consequently, all but the poor and indigent are laid to rest above ground in elaborate crypts, wall ovens, and mausoleums. Decorative ironwork and sculptures adorn the plots, making the cemeteries resemble little cities; hence the nickname, Cities of the Dead. The cemeteries in New Orleans attract a lot of visitors each year because of their unique, historic character.
WHAT DOES PAPA LEGBA DO?
Legba has his origins with the Fon people of Dahomey (Benin) Africa and is said to be the guardian and trickster of the crossroads and entrances. Commonly depicted as an old man sprinkling water or an old man with a crutch, Papa Legba is the master linguist, the trickster, warrior, and the personal messenger of destiny. Legba has the power to remove obstacles and to provide opportunities. All ceremonies begin and end with Papa Legba, as it is he who opens the gates to the world of the Invisibles, much like St. Peter traditionally throws wide the gates to heaven. There can be no communication with any of the other loas without consulting him first. His gift for linguistics enables him to translate the requests of humans into the languages of the Spirits, the Orishas, and the Loas.
Legba has his origins with the Fon people of Dahomey (Benin) Africa and is said to be the guardian and trickster of the crossroads and entrances. Commonly depicted as an old man sprinkling water or an old man with a crutch, Papa Legba is the master linguist, the trickster, warrior, and the personal messenger of destiny. Legba has the power to remove obstacles and to provide opportunities. All ceremonies begin and end with Papa Legba, as it is he who opens the gates to the world of the Invisibles, much like St. Peter traditionally throws wide the gates to heaven. There can be no communication with any of the other loas without consulting him first. His gift for linguistics enables him to translate the requests of humans into the languages of the Spirits, the Orishas, and the Loas.
MARIE LAVEAU
THE VOODOO QUEEN
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APA 6th
Alvarado, D. (2019). FAQS. Retrieved from https://www.marie-laveaux.com/faqs.html.
Alvarado, D. (2019). FAQS. Retrieved from https://www.marie-laveaux.com/faqs.html.
Chicago 16th
Alvarado, Denise. “FAQS,” 2019. https://www.marie-laveaux.com/faqs.html.
Alvarado, Denise. “FAQS,” 2019. https://www.marie-laveaux.com/faqs.html.
MLA 8th
Alvarado, Denise. FAQS. 2019, https://www.marie-laveaux.com/faqs.html.
Alvarado, Denise. FAQS. 2019, https://www.marie-laveaux.com/faqs.html.