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GC022.JPG

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Voodoo Queen Tomb St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 New Orleans, Louisiana This is the reputed burial place of one of New Orleans’ most notorious Voodoo Queens, Marie Laveau. The mystic cult of Voodooism has its origins in Africa, although it was brought to New Orleans by way of the Caribbean island of Santo Domingo. Voodoo developed quite a following in the nineteenth century and still exists today. There are always offerings of some sort in front of the tomb. The exterior of the tomb is awash in “x’s” a Voodoo sign of good luck. Guide books describe this tomb as “Greek Revival”, but at best, it is a rather stripped down version of the style. These brick and plaster “house tombs” often contain the remains of generations of families. They are usually designed with two vaults, one above the other, and a pit or “caveau” below. When room is needed for another body, the tomb is opened and the bones of the previous occupant are removed and placed in the caveau. If the casket hadn’t completely disintegrated it was used for firewood. Very practical, those New Orleanians!