Save Our Cemeteries is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in New Orleans.
There mission is to preserve, protect, and promote the historic cemeteries
of New Orleans through restoration, education, and advocacy.
VOLUNTEER PROJECT: St. Louis Cemetery No. 1
Saturday, May 19th
9 am to 12 pm
Volunteers were needed to assist SOC in removing graffiti from tombs,
including the Glapion family
tomb (Marie Laveau's final resting place).
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| BEFORE PICTURE |
I volunteered for this project and thoroughly enjoyed it, since it felt nice contributing time toward the restoration of a historical landmark.
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| AFTER PICTURE | |
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Why the triple Xs?
The tomb continues to attract visitors who (illegally) draw three "x"s
(XXX) on its side, in belief that Laveau's spirit will grant them a
wish.
Hundreds if not thousands of"X's" blanketing this tomb and several
others. The origins of this proverbial New Orleans Voodoo practice are
unclear, but contrary to popular belief, it is not rooted in age-old
local ritual. Judging from the sheer amount of X's scrawled throughout
the cemetery, it would appear the legions of Voodoo practitioners make
their way through the City of the Dead on a regular basis.
Although
more Voodoo is practiced at this one tomb than any single tomb in the
United States, many people who worship through Voodoo and genuinely live
it as a lifestyle have never left a mark on the structures of the City
of the Dead.
The thousands of X's are largely the result of tour groups, who
have been coached to practice Voodoo by their tour guide. Their
instructions always include breaking a brick off of other tombs and a
combination of steps which involve spinning around three times,
scratching three X's on the tomb, knocking on it, or rubbing a foot on
it or hollering at it or kicking it, etc., (everyone does it slightly,
if not very, differently from everyone else) and then leaving an
offering to get a wish granted.
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