Marie Laveau, born in 1801, was known as the queen of voodoo in New Orleans and now in the 2020s, she still is today. Often depicted as white in a lot of paintings, Marie Leveau was a person of color. Her mother had African, Caucasian, and Native American ancestry, and historians believe her father was Haitian (2)(3). Known as the Queen of Voodoo, she is revered as a ‘loa’. Loas are the intermediaries between Gods and humanity (3). She is the head of protectors of New Orleans, especially its woman. Her daughter, Marie Laveau II, was born in 1827 and died in 1862, before her mother. When Marie Laveau II died, her body was never found and is believed to roam New Orleans to this day. Marie Laveau II was known to look almost identical to her mother, and named after her, some believe that she took her mother’s place when she died, while others think Marie Laveau became young again and lived another life as her ‘daughter’(1).
With Marie Laveau and her daughter both practicing voodoo, the people of New Orleans will leave offerings like hair ties or beads for Marie Laveau II, who was a hairdresser as well. Triple X’s are marked on their graves for different reasons. XXX was a signature of voodoo in the past since a lot of people were illiterate, so followers of Louisiana voodoo practices leave them to honor her legacy, also leaving gifts or offerings for her. While a rumor decades ago was started, that if you leave 3 Xs, turn around 3 times, knock on the tomb, and yell out your wish(1), when your wish is granted you go back to her grave, circle your Xs, and leave her an offering in return, became popular with tourists (1). Even though Marie Laveau II is not as well-known as her mother, she still gets offerings because both tombs are engraved with ‘Laveau’. Is Marie still roaming New Orleans, or is it today’s myths that are keeping her alive?
Spanish Translation:
Marie Laveau, nacida en 1801, era conocida como la reina del vudú en Nueva Orleans y ahora, en la década de 2020, todavía lo es. A menudo representada como blanca en muchas pinturas, Marie Leveau era una persona de color. Su madre tenía ascendencia africana, caucásica y nativa americana, y los historiadores creen que su padre era haitiano (2)(3). Conocida como la Reina del Vudú, es reverenciada como una ‘loa’. Los loas son los intermediarios entre los dioses y la humanidad (3). Es la jefa de protectoras de Nueva Orleans, especialmente su mujer. Su hija, Marie Laveau II, nació en 1827 y murió en 1862, antes que su madre. Cuando Marie Laveau II murió, su cuerpo nunca fue encontrado y se cree que deambula por Nueva Orleans hasta el día de hoy. Se sabía que Marie Laveau II se veía casi idéntica a su madre y recibió su nombre. Algunos creen que tomó el lugar de su madre cuando murió, mientras que otros piensan que Marie Laveau volvió a ser joven y vivió otra vida como su ‘hija’ (1) . Con Marie Laveau y su hija practicando vudú, la gente de Nueva Orleans dejará ofrendas como cintas para el pelo o cuentas para Marie Laveau II, que también era peluquera. Los Triple X están marcados en sus tumbas por diferentes razones. XXX fue una firma de vudú en el pasado ya que muchas personas eran analfabetas, por lo que los seguidores de las prácticas vudú de Luisiana las dejan para honrar su legado, y también le dejan obsequios u ofrendas. Si bien se inició un rumor hace décadas, que si dejas 3 X, giras 3 veces, golpeas la tumba y gritas tu deseo (1), cuando tu deseo se concede, regresas a su tumba, encierras en un círculo tus X, y dejarle una ofrenda a cambio, se hizo popular entre los turistas (1). Aunque Marie Laveau II no es tan conocida como su madre, todavía recibe ofrendas porque ambas tumbas están grabadas con ‘Laveau’. ¿Marie sigue vagando por Nueva Orleans, o son los mitos de hoy los que la mantienen con vida?
La ofrenda Dia De Los muertos
(canva by: Addison Lamerque and Violet Thompson)
Día de Los Muertos is a Mexican holiday that originated from the Aztecs and is about 3,300 years old. The holiday is celebrated from October 31st to November 2nd, and during this time, the “gate” to the other world is weak. The “other world” being the place where spirts and souls reside after death. Therefore, on that day, souls — in their ghost form — are able to visit their loved ones who are still living. During Día De Los Muertos people of Mexican heritage set up alters (las ofrendas) that celebrate and honor their loved ones. The can create las ofrendas over loved ones’ graves, and they often decorate the alters with marigolds, photos, books, jewelry, personal belongings, and food offerings for the dead to take back to the other side. Those who celebrate this day often believe that when their ancestors die they are not actually dead; instead, their soul moves on. On October 29th there is an annual day of the dead parade that takes place in Mexico City. During the parade people gather around and watch all the floats with people dressed up as skeletons, flamenco dancers and colorful souls while music is blasting for people to dance to. Sound familiar, New Orleanians?
Sugar Skull
(photo by: Carlos Chavez)
Spanish Translation:
Día de Los Muertos es una fiesta mexicana que se originó en los aztecas y tiene unos tres mil años. La festividad se celebra del 31 de octubre al 2 de noviembre, y durante este tiempo, la “puerta” al otro mundo es débil. Por lo tanto, las almas, en su forma de fantasma, pueden visitar las vidas. Durante el Día de los Muertos, las personas de ascendencia mexicana establecen alertas sobre las tumbas de sus seres queridos que incluyen caléndulas, fotos, libros, joyas, objetos personales y ofrendas de alimentos para que los muertos se los lleven al otro lado. Creen que cuando sus antepasados mueren, en realidad no están muertos, sino que, en cambio, su alma sigue adelante. El 29 de octubre hay un desfile anual que tiene lugar en la Ciudad de México. Durante el desfile, la gente se reúne y observa todas las carrozas con personas disfrazadas de esqueletos, bailarines de flamenco y alma colorida mientras la música suena a todo volumen para que la gente baile.
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When I went to visit the Pointe-au-Chien tribe after Hurricane Ida with my Service Learning class, I heard that one of the biggest challenges in the aftermath of the hurricane was finding enough drinking water, so in this article, I explore water purification methods: 1) when they are necessary, 2) how they work, and 3) if they really make your water safe to drink.
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This article explores the positive and negative impacts of the engineering industry on Louisiana, including how it is impacted by storms. The author also suggests a call to action to support Louisiana coastal restoration. Big Chem-EZ discusses how finding the best course of action can be challenging, and introduces various proposed solutions to wetland loss and environmental impacts on Louisiana industries.
