The Bizarre Voodoo World Of New Orleans

BuzzFeed Unsolved Network・2 minutes read

Voodoo history, practices, and prominent figures in New Orleans, including Marie Laveau and Bloody Mary, are explored, highlighting the positive aspects of voodoo but also its negative portrayal in the media and potential dangers in the wrong hands. The text concludes with a discussion around the realism of ghosts and a teaser for the upcoming BuzzFeed Unsolved True Crime series with promises of a depressing, bloody, and gory season.

Insights

  • Voodoo, originating in West Africa, is a positive practice focused on helping the sick and guiding individuals through struggles, with altars used to communicate with spirits.
  • The history of voodoo in New Orleans is intertwined with prominent figures like Marie Laveau, leading to negative media portrayals that drove the practice underground, while modern-day practitioners like Bloody Mary blend old and new school voodoo teachings.

Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free

Recent questions

  • What is the origin of voodoo?

    Voodoo originated in West Africa, particularly Benin, where it means spirit.

  • Who was Marie Laveau?

    Marie Laveau was a prominent figure in New Orleans voodoo history.

  • What are the cities of the dead in New Orleans?

    New Orleans' above-ground cemeteries are known as cities of the dead.

  • What is the significance of the haunted apartment in New Orleans?

    The haunted apartment in New Orleans served as a voodoo temple on the first floor and is reportedly haunted on the second floor.

  • What is the conclusion about voodoo's ability to contact the spirit world?

    Voodoo is portrayed as a practice that can be positive but may turn negative in the wrong hands, leaving the question of its ability to contact the spirit world unsolved.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

Voodoo in New Orleans: History and Practice

  • The practice of voodoo is explored in New Orleans, rich with voodoo history.
  • Voodoo originated in West Africa, particularly Benin, where it means spirit.
  • Voodoo practitioners believe in one god and many spirits called Loa.
  • Altars are used to pray and leave gifts for specific spirits.
  • Voodoo is a positive practice, often used to help the sick and guide through struggles.
  • Voodoo made its way to America through the slave trade, with Marie Laveau being a prominent figure in New Orleans voodoo history.
  • Marie Laveau held voodoo gatherings at Lake Pontchartrain, with stories of orgies and rituals spreading.
  • Negative media portrayal led voodoo to go underground in New Orleans in the late 19th century.
  • Bloody Mary, a famous voodoo practitioner, teaches a mix of old and new school voodoo.
  • New Orleans' above-ground cemeteries are known as cities of the dead, with a voodoo spiritual temple being a hotspot for spiritual communication.

11:57

"Haunted Apartment in Rampart Street Murder House"

  • The first floor of the building served as a voodoo temple, while the second floor was rented out as an apartment and is reportedly haunted.
  • Accounts of footsteps, shadows, and rocks being thrown have been reported in the haunted apartment.
  • A doll named Jodi is mentioned as the overseer of a haunted nursery of dolls.
  • A circle of rocks near a door raises questions about its purpose.
  • The building experienced a lack of electricity for over a year due to a fire.
  • A little boy named Abe is mentioned, requesting stones and jacks.
  • In 2006, a gruesome murder occurred in the apartment, leading to the name "Rampart Street Murder House."
  • Zachery Bowen murdered and dismembered his girlfriend, Addie Hall, leaving a chilling suicide note.
  • Despite speculation, the murders were not related to the voodoo temple downstairs.
  • Voodoo is portrayed as a practice that can be positive but may turn negative in the wrong hands, leaving the question of its ability to contact the spirit world unsolved.

24:02

"BuzzFeed Unsolved: Moon Boner and True Crime"

  • The hosts discuss the possibility of the moon having a boner, comparing it to the realism of ghosts, concluding the season of BuzzFeed Unsolved Supernatural and teasing the upcoming BuzzFeed Unsolved True Crime series with ten episodes promised to be depressing, bloody, and gory.
Channel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatar

Try it yourself — It’s free.