Celebrate customs, traditions of National Vodou Day in New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Since the arrival of the first Africans in Louisiana, Vodou has been part of New Orleans culture.

Happening April 5 and 6, is an exploration and celebration of its customs.

“Separating from witchcraft, which we are not. Separating from Satanism, which we are not. Much of what we see even today on social media- kids playing around with tarot cards and Ouija boards, that is just not Vodou,” said Divine Prince Ty Emmecca, Voodoo Chief.

Emmecca discussed some of the misconceptions still permeated today about what Vodou isn’t but he also took some time to break down what Vodou is for practitioners.

“Vodou is an ethno-cultural tradition, born in West Africa and brought to the so called New World and now vibrant in North America, Central America and South America, globally,” said Emmecca.

The Second Annual New Orleans National Vodou Day will be chocked full of events to honor these traditions.

“On April 5, that’s Saturday, there will be a multi-layered symposium at Xavier University. That begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. There will be a youth component with a dance class for the children. They’ll be video games that are age appropriate,” said Emmecca.

The symposium will also include representatives from Benin, Africa and Haiti and Sunday is a special day.

“Sister Storyteller will be pouring a libation and having a sacred ceremony beginning at the river. We then will stop at various points from the French Market to Congo Square that represent the Mid-Atlantic Slave Trade but also our transition into the New World. And then we will have a full-on traditional Vodou ceremony in Congo Square,” said Emmecca.

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