New Orleans National Vodou Day is based on the Vodun Days in Benin, the event consists of a processional with offerings and prayers along the way, and culminating in a ritual at the historic Congo Square. This year we will also feature our first ever Vodou Symposium, with educational presenters from around the globe presenting their research and sharing their knowledge. The history of Voodoo in New Orleans is a spiritual gumbo. The roots of the tradition are grounded in Benin, flavored with the indigenous traditions of the people of Bulbancha, and rounded out with the beliefs of Haitian Vodou and other African Traditional Religions. This event is no small undertaking and our committee is run by a dedicated group of volunteers who are also community leaders and spiritual professionals in their own right. We would like to take the opportunity to share a bit about them here on the Voodoo Universe blog in a series of interviews. The first interview featured below is with the New Orleans National Vodou Day treasurer Elder Reggie.
Please tell us who you are?
Elder Reggie a board member with the National New Orleans Vodou Day. My position as Treasurer provides plenty of hands-on opportunity to learn business finances. However, my role as team supporter in the varies projects that show up are the highlights of being a member of New Orleans National Vodou Day.
What is your connection to Vodou/Voodoo?
I am a practitioner of New Orleans Voodoo and several African Traditional Religions, an Ogun priest in Ifa, Cowrie shell diviner/Dagara west Africa shamanism, and a devotee of Atta Nana Nframa/ Akan Ghana. These ancestors based traditional are allowing me to learn my purpose and destiny within this manifestation on earth. Voodoo heals, protects and uplifts people desires if giving a chance to be invoke on a person journey in this world.
Why do you feel that this event is important?
I look forward to attending the bi-monthly meetings as we work toward building a solid foundation for New Orleans Voodoo. Millions of tourists have traveled to New Orleans seeking a glimpse of voodoo. Tour guides, vendor shops and local practitioners provide information on voodoo some is fact driven and some is not. It is important and organization take the leadership to build New Orleans voodoo on a grounded and factual basis as close as possible.
What do you wish people knew about Vodou/Voodoo?
I wished people knew more about the sojourn of voodoo in New Orleans and how the followers had to use varies methods to keep the traditional alive. The drumming circle held at Congo square on Sundays; The spiritual churches of New Orleans with their invoking of the spirits and the local drug stores selling curios and herbs all worked in secret to keep a underground healing modality in practice for a people who had very little resources. The constant pressure from local politicians and policemen who had an agenda to stamp out voodoo as an evil witchcraft religion.
How do you hope people will get involved?
New Orleans has many voodoo clicks groups and shops it would be great if all voodoo interesting parties could work together and support each other build a greater New Orleans community. There is a large online presence of people selling voodoo and voodoo products to the world, it would be a blessing if they would support New Orleans National Vodou Day with fund raising and visiting New Orleans for the New Orleans National Vodou Day symposium and march, lastly, I hope local New Orleans people would open their minds and except voodoo as gift and not a curse.
Is there anything else you wish to add?
I would like to add the prayer to the ancestors of all voodoo followers, so they could be the best version of themselves.
For more information about the New Orleans National Vodou Day, or if you would like to volunteer or make a donation to our non-profit organization please see our website vodouday.org
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