The racialized and exoticized cult of Voodoo occupies a central place in the popular image of the Crescent City. But as Kodi A. Roberts argues in Voodoo and Power; the religion was not a monolithic tradition handed down from African ancestors to their American-born descendants. Instead; a much more complicated patchwork of influences created New Orleans Voodoo; allowing it to move across boundaries of race; class; and gender. By employing late nineteenth and early twentieth-century first-hand accounts of Voodoo practitioners and their rituals; Roberts provides a nuanced understanding of who practiced Voodoo and why.Voodoo in New Orleans; a melange of religion; entrepreneurship; and business networks; stretched across the color line in intriguing ways. Roberts's analysis demonstrates that what united professional practitioners; or "workers;" with those who sought their services was not a racially uniform folk culture; but rather the power and influence that Voodoo promised. Recognizing that social immobility proved a common barrier for their patrons; workers claimed that their rituals could overcome racial and gendered disadvantages and create new opportunities for their clients.Voodoo rituals and institutions also drew inspiration from the surrounding milieu; including the privations of the Great Depression; the city's complex racial history; and the free-market economy. Money; employment; and business became central concerns for the religion's practitioners: to validate their work; some began operating from recently organized "Spiritual Churches;" entities that were tax exempt and thus legitimate in the eyes of the state of Louisiana. Practitioners even leveraged local figures like the mythohistoric Marie Laveau for spiritual purposes and entrepreneurial gain. All the while; they contributed to the cultural legacy that fueled New Orleans's tourist industry and drew visitors and their money to the Crescent City.
#1657988 in Books Louisiana State Univ Pr 2009-06-01 2009-06-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.30 x 1.40 x 5.90l; 1.85 #File Name: 0807133981464 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Interesting Civil War history for TennesseeBy JDCThis book gives the history in a perspective that shows it was a very mixed belief and meaning to civil war. Tennessee was much more mixed than most would believe. this book chronicles those that fought on both sides from the same state. The reasons for fighting varies more than many would understand based on not learning from books such as this well written book.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Bought this for my husband. He actually read it ...By Donnia KestnerBought this for my husband. He actually read it from cover to cover the first time he picked it up.4 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Fighting Each OtherBy J. SicklesPity the poor boarder states. There were large populations that fought on both sides. The problem was your neighbor was apt to burn your house down while you were off fighting for your side. Throw in the fact that there were roving gangs of paranoid psycopaths who operated under the premise that;"I'd better kill him in case he wants to kill me." This book concerns the Union side of the fighting. The regiments raised were very uneven as far as quality. James Brownlow's regiment of cavalry would certainly be considered an elite unit. Other regd.iments were mixed; depending upon the soldier's commitment. Some joined to escape the Confederate draft; while many Confederates in pow camps turned coat to avoid dying. There are a few typos in the beginning of the book; but they are easily overlooked. This is a well researched book. A fine read.
