Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-07-20
VOUDGU SUPERSTITION.
The EsvOrits Religion Of Some Lou
fSsana RQRF0pa

The EsVOFite Religion Of Some Lon
isiana Negroes.
New Orleans Letter to the st. Louis Globe.l
There is q seces here whose primary
rule is not only direct disregard of any
Obligation 10 the Creator OF man, but who
publicly worship aud implOre the aid of the
"Powers of Darkness" The congregation
entertaining these views is numerous, and
is known here, as Il has be n since the eX-
isteuce of this city, as the VoudOus. The
peculiar ideas and ri es of the people who
bear this desi nation are of African origin,
and in Africa the "religion" is knoWn as
the Worghip Of "Fetisb," or Devil. The
theory upon which it is based IS that His
Satanic Msje ty has monopoly the power
of punishment, and, in order TO be prOplti-
ated, requires an annual gift. In Africa,
sud long since in the West India Isles, Bra
I'll and portions Of this country, this gift
consisted in ''pickaninDies, +" or little babes;
but this custom has been discontinued, and
now 1t is the habit OF the faithful to sacri-
flee a chicken, which is tossed into pot of
boiling water, with feathers and all, and,
with a cat, a dog and Other member: OF the
animal kingdom, is boiled until stew is
formed, which, if drank, protects from all
evil for the ensuing year.
The place of annual meeting has been
moved to the shores Of Lake PontchatraiD,
between Bayou St. John and LsSalle. This
locality is about four miles from the city,
and is approached by what is called the
Old Shell road.
This the spot where, on eve y st.
Johns eve, and on St. Johns ri mt, the
VOudous this city meet TO make offeri gs
to the Office Of their idolatry. Near the
locality is small plank house having two
rooms, and after explaining bis visit to be
one of ''respectful curiosity" your cores
pendent was admitted to lis precinc:s,
which he found lighted with candles. With
in tie rooms were some thirty men and
women chanting a song, the burden Of
which was "Ah-cha- ca-sa-la-me," an accom-
paniment being kept up by continual
beating on drum. The melody would
vary, tie time al erDating from slow Ca
dence to the quickest possible measur", so
exciting the performers that fire. quently they
would foam at the mouth, and then, rising
to their feet, indulge in dance that was IS
much of an adaptation Of the can-can OF
The Jardin mab;lle as can be imagined could
be enacted under such circumstances on
the shores of the Bayou 81. John. This
music was continued unit near m dnight,
when suddenly loud shrek was heard on
tbs outside, and on the instant the crowd
rushed from the hotel, and divesting them
selves of all their scanty clothing, threw
themselves into the waters of the Jake.
Another of the cardinal points of the doc
TRUE with these deVOtees is, that if they
observe perfect silence while in the water,
at midnight, any wish they may then form
will be granted them for the ensuing year.
l. was the privilege of your correspond
ent to be favored VITA an interview by the
VoudCu Qneen, whose name is Mamma
Eliza, aged forty years, having complexion
as black as the ace of spades. Very fat,
and alfred in an old calico gown, the sp-
pearance of Her VoudOu Majesty was GER
tainly not imposing; but she was extremely
ready in responding to the questions hat
were propouuded in regard to the tenets of
the sect over which she presides. The
Terpsichorean part of the worship was to
dance away the demon; and after be has
come, in obsdi ence to the Choir invocations
Of the deyotees, the latter rush suddenly
into the cold water, which causes his ejec-
ton, aud at the same time the sins of the
past year disappear with him. The poor cree =
lures holding these views remained in the
lake some time, and emerging thereform in
a perfectly nude condition, commenced a
dance that continued lorg in the morning.
The'ancient Queen, who, until recently,
was the Voudou SOVEREIGN, is Marie Lafont,
an aged negress, who resides in q small cot
tage, on ST. Am street. She gave your
correspondent to understand that, up to a
recent dite, she had been an implicit be-
lever in. Voudouism, but had lately abjured
its heresies, and was now permanent
member of the Roman Catholic Church.
S c stated that tho number OF believers in
Voudousm was much greater than was
i'm. sined, and included whites as we'll as
blacks-msny of the former occupying re-
spectable positions, who were led to its be-
lief by the icea thst enemies could be re-
| msved, lovers regained, and other remark
able results attained by the use CT charms
and the like appliances that the Voudou
| Queen always had at her own disposal.