The 'Voodoo renaissance' of New Orleans | BBC Global

Voodoo is experiencing something of a renaissance in New Orleans, US.
We meet voodoo priestess Manbo Jessyka and high priestess Eshé who introduce us to the practice as a way of life, and as a means of connecting to ancestors through everyday rituals and spiritual reflection.
Subscribe to BBC Global: www.youtube.co...
For the latest news, analysis and features visit: www.bbc.com
#bbc #voodoo #neworleans

[@codycurtin2295]

New Orleans is such a beautifully spiritual place. You can quite literally feel it in the air there

[@henbane2247]

New Orleans was my favourite place out of everywhere I've visited in the USA. It does have a really interesting vibe

[@kateapple1]

Another bot 🤖

[@kateapple1]

@@henbane2247you too 🤖

[@codycurtin2295]

@@kateapple1 did you even click my account LMAO

[@ggoudey-photo]

You sure can. I love that city.

[@vinnyguerrero5067]

everyone in these comments didnt pass the vibe check….. Herbalism has been a practice for centuries before we could run to CVS for advil and medicine. This is a strong centuries old lineage. I have nothing but respect for Hoodoo, Voodoo, and religions

[@DaneWigington2O25]

@@vinnyguerrero5067 take some hemlock

[@xandr13]

Why so defensive, sonny? Something bothering you?

[@ddoubleu170]

Same 🙏🏾

[@Cara-380]

Modern medicine is also why humans have a long life expectancy.

[@DaneWigington2O25]

@Cara-380 correct

[@sunnymountainhoneyfountain]

Wow! That voodoo herbal apothecary is incredible. I’ve never seen anything like that, what a beautiful spiritual practise.

[@jlb127]

you need to go. I went my first time there last year and the energy is amazing. You just feel like your floating in water. her place is amazing!!!!

[@nadiasharnelle]

@@jlb127 Yes indeed! I typically visit on a monthly basis (I'm 45 mins away) and the vibe is always on point. I love how they always revamp the floorplan which makes it so that each visit is always different from the one before!

[@Alexesmonique]

It’s amazing 💯

[@deathsembrace]

Where is her apothecary?

[@nadiasharnelle]

@@deathsembrace On St. Charles in NOLA!

[@_missmajola]

Oh wow what a beautiful documentary. Need an hour of this

[@studiotwo24]

💯

[@Miszny]

This is a beautiful. I've followed Jessyka for a while now, through her teachings I've grown to understand and appreciate Voodoo. A very spiritual, very intuitive, very grounded practice that is often villianized and terrorized by those who don't care to understand.

[@shelbylynn9]

What is her channel called? I’d love to hear more about how they incorporate it into their daily routines. It was sweet how meaningful this is for them. It was very touching.

[@sohseikinadasei]

a big cause of that are the movies

[@ftheworlds]

@@shelbylynn9 @hausofhoodoo293

[@Cuban20]

@@sohseikinadaseiYeah but movies like that are produced because of the Judeo Christian narrative of what is good and what is evil. Notice a lot of horror movies are Christian influenced.

[@jennyclark6183]

No understanding of torture of animals. NO.

[@heathertizya6837]

Need a full special on this

[@MessagesfromtheLight333]

“It’s essential to connect with the ancestors, because when things hard hard for me. I know what my ancestors went through. They didn’t live through that for to turn around and go through the same things they did.” What a powerful way to work with ancestors ✨💚

[@bigharp0949]

Lived in New Orleans on Baronne St from 2021 to beginning of this year. Haus of Hoodoo by Manbo Jessyka, on St. Charles St, was only one block away and literally walking distance from my apartment. Visited there Jan of this year after I caught COVID for the 4th time, my apartment was broken into by someone at who held me at gunpoint, and a few things were going wrong in my life. I asked for help there, and received it. Had a dream to that woke me out of my sleep to visit the Haus of Hoodoo…I overcame my sickness and my life turned around for the better financially, spiritually, and things started flowing. I noticed the difference over some months. This place and voodoo and hoodoo is the truth. But you have to be careful with it. Thankful for my ancestors leading me here. If you ever get a chance to visit New Orleans, please stop by. You won’t regret it. 🙏🏾⚜️

[@Filipepode21]

This could be expanded into a mini series about voodoo! Go for it BBC, break the prejudice and help the culture be spreader trough information .

[@ladonnacouture816]

Yeeees as a Student and Practitioner of Rootwork, this touched my heart. I'm humbly a student FOREVER.

[@adjoahelene9203]

That green plants she first put in the jar is a very powerful plant here in Africa. It's used to heal and cast evil spirit. She knows what she's doing

[@erzsebetkovacs2527]

What's it called and do you also make a tincture with it as she does?

[@NavBala-l7n]

Only God is capable of healing no plant, human, idol can do that.

[@carlifox]

@@NavBala-l7nyou don’t think…. Medicine… can heal people?

[@achillesglacia7700]

@@carlifox ofcourse youre here with bias, the comment literally says to cast evil spirits, so hes not talking about "medicine" to begin with.

[@NavBala-l7n]

@ NO

[@laurapitcock5414]

I am Eastern European and we have a similar practice of dropping food or drinks first on the ground for our ancestors. And herbalism is really popular. We have multiple health food store with herbs, tinctures etc in every neighborhood. We go first to plants and after to the doc

[@jessicar.8333]

There's room for both herbalism & modern medicine to work together. Integrative medicine is the future

[@WaylonCv13]

Ain't nothing similar with what ya'll do we not the same u delusional

[@MuseMoriah]

The people that taught us our spiritual practices are evil are the same ones who put us in chains.

[@tiwantiwaabibiman2603]

And the one's now taking over - coopting and corrupting our Afrikan Ancestral Spiritual/Religious traditions to claim they are the authorities in our traditions.

[@ashleyc3080]

Exactly!!! I wish more ppl could comprehend this🥺

[@darcylauren1934]

Great. But their spiritual practices and yours are both false. No matter the wrong they did to your ancestors, doesn't make your ancestors' falsehoods suddenly true... We have a method that explains the causes and effects of molecules such as pharmodynamics and pharmokinetics known as the scientific method. Voodoo doesn't, nor does Christianity. Follow facts and science. Not some mythical belief with no basis in reality (and having a basis in herbology doesn't prove the false belief system either).

[@UXtatic]

And created Christian Nationalism.

[@Army_Brat1980]

But benefitted and profited from our knowledge of medicinal healing.

[@CyberPunkKitty]

love to see Jess getting even more recognition! been following her for YEARS now and she's still amazing !

[@evertonpereira14]

Voodoo is very similar to Candomblé here in Brazil, they have the same roots but organized in a different way. I'd like to know more about Voodoo in US.

[@deed5049]

Candomble is similar to Voodoo, as is Santeria and other "Hispanic" practices. The same can be said of Carribean food.

[@Therockfan30]

The one in Louisiana is mostly called Hoodoo and it’s practice comes from the Wolof Senegalese slaves shipped to Louisiana during the slave trade.

[@evertonpereira14]

@@Therockfan30 in Brazil we also have the Umbanda, thats is more mixed with other religions, also similar to voodoo. Or hoodoo.

[@Luneandlo]

Vodou and Haiti is the Mother of it all

[@fashionguy225]

They are not "Hispanic" at all. It all comes from enslaved people aka Africans​@@deed5049

[@isarose3136]

What a beautiful piece of film. It brings me so much joy knowing that all of those ancestors came together so she and others could practice their beliefs freely and live a centered life.

[@cryptowomanist]

My heart is full every time I see people reclaiming their power, human rights, and spiritual rituals. The people and the videography itself were stunning

[@jesuswept1334]

"Their power" on alien soil. 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@Jahziah_77]

Thank you sending love all way from Trinidad and Tobago 🇹🇹

[@azriel724]

I used to live a block from Haus of Hoodoo. I always passed by the shop when I have to go to the Garden District. I enjoyed the four years living there. New Orleans has a special place in my heart

[@prissylily25]

I’m Haitian and Jamaican- I’m very happy Obeah and Voudon is in my culture.

[@lisac996]

Lucky!❤

[@ManigaMOtep]

Tired fi wuk obeah innah bush...youtube DrJMDNBTC

[@AfricancoolChic]

Funny the word "Obeah" is the word "Obia" which means native Dr or herbalist or witch Dr in the Igbo language of Nigeria. It surprises me to see words survive the transatlantic slave trade.

[@jennyclark6183]

You like animal torture?

[@jameswatson5807]

@@AfricancoolChic Wow very shocked I thought it was made up in Jamaica.

[@bluffermuffin1]

And that's what people don't get. That it's a way of life. Obeah is and was the practice in the west indies and Guyana and many of the people who see it as evil don't realize that the way they cook and clean and even speak, many of their superstitions and child rearing practices and their natural leaning towards plant medicine, is part of that practice...no evil there..

[@michaelregis1015]

Yo, we have Obeah too in Trinidad and Tobago.

[@ms.thomas5758]

Obeah is the dark version of the craft. There is good and bad

[@Owlkisses88]

Herbs are medicine so it's nice to learn

[@peachnecctar1658]

i have the utmost respect for people who connect with plants and herbs like this. being so connected to the earth and spirits is such a gift

[@WaylonCv13]

Cave demon lol 😆 😂 🤣

[@lainit.mcneal1666]

So beautifully presented. Simply beautiful. Ashe.

[@matthewjames206]

New Orleans is a truly special place. This was insightful 🍻

[@bebopnola]

It’s not a renaissance. It’s been going on. It never stopped. Y’all just didn’t know bc there was no TikTok. And I hate that for my city.

[@novalife429]

Renaissances are cultural movements of learning and experiments, of course for that to happen some knowledge must be kept alive and be passed over the centuries but that doesn’t mean a cultural movement won’t happen when enough creative activists want to invent new ways of spreading knowledge about it.

[@Pathwaysintoabundance]

It stopped for some time. Haitians brought it back to New Orleans. Today there is only Haitian based vudu there

[@kyrabarr2846]

I understand , and can respect why you feel the way that you do. I truly wish that many of these beautiful systems had been kept hidden and secret as well 😔

[@jasminmuvaherbal]

Walking in and being in her storefront was moving, palpable ❤ Grateful for spaces like this and keeping our ancestors practices alive.

[@EllieS1863]

This is fantastic. It would be awesome if the people who added the music didn’t show their own prejudice by having such negative music in the background. This could have been portrayed in a much more neutral way.

[@Jeskrist5]

I love her. I've never visited her but I follow her on instagram. She's very smart and shares a lot of her knowledge with the community.

[@sbs4477]

What’s her Instagram?

[@oficinadeturismo1679]

Yes, what IS her Instagram account please?

[@barbaralee7483]

This is a beautiful story ❤

[@MoeC1]

i really hate that I didn't get a chance to visit Haus of Hoodoo when I was in New Orleans this past summer; can't wai to go back!

[@URI443PHOENIX]

Beautiful ❤ I was raised in the Cuban Santeria tradition. Nice to know our cousins ❤

[@lolahernandez6871]

I was told Santeria is evil. I always wondered why people said that. A good friend of mine back in high school, who is from Panama, practices Santeria. I found some things strange but they are somenof the nicest people I've met in my life. I stick to that. ❤

[@Orbt_]

Don’t forget the Brazilians.

[@septsky98]

Beautiful video. It is such a privilege to live in New Orleans at the same time as these amazing practitioners.

[@CrystalRaye]

What a lovely video. Wish it was a little longer and more in-depth.

[@amberlikely420]

Just came back from a trip to New Orleans. It’s my favorite place in the world. So rich in energy and culture.

[@I-Dophler]

Hoodoo voodoo that you do! This explanation is truly captivating and brings such depth to the understanding of Voodoo. It’s rare and inspiring to witness Voodoo depicted as a lifestyle woven with threads of nature, ancestry, and sacred connections, moving far beyond the usual misunderstandings. The way you describe plants and their spirits adds layers of meaning to natural healing and medicine, sparking an entirely new appreciation. Thank you for unveiling these insights and broadening how we perceive such ancient wisdom!

[@TheCelestialsparrow]

This was beautiful.

[@josh.3808]

Hey! The Priestess! Right on. It’s good to see her. God bless her. (She’s the best). BEST APOTHECARY IN THE WORLD! The world needs more Wombmen like these ladies. Divine and attuned.

[@dontwren]

wombmen is weird. lets not use that word ok

[@DivineSparkStudios]

@@dontwren😂😂😂

[@achillesglacia7700]

@@dontwren why not? sounds reassuringly clearer for all those pronoun clutching maniacs

[@princejhandie2292]

Such a beautiful tribute to OUR ancestors

[@JacksNightmare]

Omg! I've been following her Instagram for years! Congratulations on the interview to talk about your work!!🎉🎉

[@jameswilburn6026]

What’s her IG?

[@oficinadeturismo1679]

Please what IS her Instagram account?

[@christophm860]

Voodoo (Voudou) is so beautiful to me. It incorporates reverence for the ancestors, reverence and respect for the natural world, music, dance, different cultures, different languages, different foods...I wish the stigma of it being evil or "dark," etc would be dismantled by folks who would see it, experience it and see it in a much different light. Being half Native, it's beautiful to see how our practices may be different, but we're all so much more alike than we are different.

[@user-fk3rw6rm3y]

Excellent. Would love to see more about this.

[@Lina-ws3sy]

Thank you for this beautiful portrayal. In my country Macedonia we have the same custom to pour our drink for our ancestors to 'drink' with us. we also light cigarettes for the smokers :), or use smoke in ceremony. recently i lost my grandma and this made me reflect on it, especially since i believe i have unprocessed grief, that along with stress caused me health problems. watching this made me cry, release and heal a bit in the same time :) sending you love and light

[@mayag598]

I needed this 🖤 thank you

[@RyanEdmondsMyLifeAsRyan]

Such a gorgeous documentary to show a sacred and beautiful religion. Thank you BBC

[@OddWomanOut_Pi81]

May we NEVER forget what Haiti did. ✨️🙏🏾✨️🇭🇹✨️ BIG respect.

[@henbane2247]

Haiti definitely deserves more recognition for that

[@zoesolanki961]

Shame it's a country that's in such a mess.

[@emacias1980]

When I arrived to New Orleans for the first time I fell in love with it. This was more than 20 years ago. I still think about and would love to go back with my daughter and extended family.

[@disideratum]

The only women I know who know wear silk tigñon scarves tied with 7 knots are Mambó. It's a really interesting part of the culture to me and so beautiful!

[@throughthewoods416]

I am a pagan druid, and I feel a close kinship with my voodoo siblings. I completely resonate with her last comments on how misunderstood voodoo is because of the portrayal in films and TV. It drives me insane that most new horror films will include a nod to paganism, whether it be the evil witch or a pentagram scrawled on the floor before someone is sacrificed. I had the privilege of going to Congo Square in New Orleans last year and honour and commune with the spirits of place there. We have an offering of whisky to the river before our flight home. Such a privilege.

[@AmaMarítima]

That was beautiful, poetic! Thank you so much for sharing! 🤍

[@rebyrae592]

Curious Folk might be interested to know that the park they are dancing, by the statue with chains on their feet, is called Congo Square; when New Orleans operated under the Code Noir, Slaves were legally obligated to have Sunday off and many would often gather there, on the edge of the French Quarter, in what is now Armstrong Park. 🙌 Great piece, grateful for them sharing ✨

[@rebyrae592]

(Code Noir was under French rule)

[@thegreatinitiate]

A beautiful tradition. I love the way it is recommended to offer to the ancestors. Bless you all!

[@ellencarbonari3444]

What a beautiful piece! I’d like to see more of this, a full special ❤️

[@gaiamorgosi7181]

I love this side of being, this unique abilities and communities that there are in the world, it’s not about agreeing or not, it’s about cherishing the charm of diversity and culture.

[@zkins]

Beautiful. A series, please, BBC

[@cosmiccreatrix]

wonderfully put together so far ❤

[@AbraXas-bi9ux]

thanks for this video, from Italy.

[@bettinarossi7908]

We need more. Excellent.Thank you.🙏💜

[@deborahhoeflinger8675]

I love that this community is still alive and well in New Orleans

[@chrisval1352]

So glad I watched this. What a beautiful practice. Thank you

[@sjferguson]

My people are from the New Orleans area. I grew up with so much respect for this culture. Beautiful. Thank you for sharing this story ❤

[@stephaniejoseph6521]

Fantastic! And finally!

[@jeremyellis9997]

Thank you for this beautiful video. ❤️‍🔥

[@onyxlightworker]

I loved watching this :) Felt connected with a few things that have been said, as a spiritual practitioner myself. Would love to go to new Orleans one day to experience the place :)

[@joycemansfield1108]

I watched this and learned that voodoo is a great spirit energy!

[@TwoSpiritedChosenOne]

I thank you for ancestral knowledge ancestors, of how to use the Earth to heal and use it for myself an dothers. keep teaching me ancestors of America, I am from this land. Thank you I am eternally grateful. Ase'

[@3340steve]

Thank you for sharing this

[@MafaldaVince]

So interesting and I loved the filming!

[@huansitoaguilar9405]

Respect very informative , thanks .

[@kolbiexo]

I loveeeeee that botanic shop it’s around the corner from my granny house and I used to go there 🥰🥰🥰 GOOD choice for first time visitors

[@k-dwanks2481]

As an African, nobody can be a healer or herbalist without being called to practice Then you can heal the unthinkable

[@theseerofthe9realms]

As a lightworker I also practice voodoo and some hoodoo it is important to me representing my heritage❤

[@Silent1Majority]

Wonderfully expressed and explained. Thank you for this prism.

[@Coachhalo]

Ase’ 🙏🏽🧘🏾‍♀️💭🫀⚖️🪶 thankful for our ancestors✨✨🫶🏽✨✨

[@paullubanga6135]

The culture is coming back

[@barbiegirll7299]

Demonic culture

[@jamesjohnson5700]

African spirituality is coming back

[@adventurecreations3214]

Holy is holy no matter what you name it

[@angelagaare5442]

Thank you for helping us learn the truth.

[@israelsfusion4727]

This is such a beautiful piece... wish it was longer

[@TheSitcheeation]

We left the church & picked up our cookbooks in 2016. This story is late 😂😂

[@Amani-0047]

better late than never! i gave up on church in my late teens and i'm almost 50. it's not a contest. Enlightenment comes slowly for some. be Kind about it or you're just repeating the judgment of the church you left less than a decade ago... Namaste 🙏

[@TheSitcheeation]

@Amani-0047 it means they’re behind the trend. I’m grateful for the great return to Traditional AFRICAN Religious Systems, but it’s not just Voodoo. It’s Hoodoo, Ifa, Lucumi, Nkisi, Santaria, Candomble - it’s a paradigm shift entirely, since 2016 exactly so if the goal is to keep up with Black spiritual trends - this article is behind the ball.

[@lpg8518]

Interesting and beautiful, it's a connection to nature and the spirit world. However, as there is good there is also evil and there are some people who try to manipulate this energy to their advantage.

[@753studios6]

PLEASE look into the history of occultism in the US

[@CoahuiltecanCat-vu9cd]

The utmost respect to voodoo practitioners from a Bruja and training medicine person🖤

[@wendistewart2774]

Thank you!

[@tanyadenise-q6w]

I practice ❤😂😂😂this is beautiful 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@brunorossibonin788]

That was beautiful. Here in Brazil we also have some religions similar to voodoo. Similar in the sence that the africans also brought their beliefs to the this country and that they also had to mascarate what their were worshiping by using catholic saints instead. These religions are called Umbanda and Candomblé.

[@flowingwithsea]

Beautiful Share!!❤⚜️🙏

[@lasvegasvideotours3517]

I need to visit this magical place

[@Daphnedidit]

Haus of Hoodoo is absolutely beautiful. She is beautiful.

[@nenasummers-shanafelt5126]

When men in power shout, the people of the earth whisper until the whispers become the wind 💨

[@SageOnThis]

Beautiful short delving into the hidden world of Voodoo. I love hearing about the practice and have always felt connected to New Orleans since I visited in 2015.

[@Meow_Vibes888]

This is beautiful ❤

[@goldenfrizzball]

Beautiful representation of American voodoo from amazing resources. Great job!

[@TempleOfToya]

Jessyka's shop is amazing❤ and so necessary our community.

[@Alexa-uk8lj]

Isn’t it in a white neighborhood?

[@TempleOfToya]

@Alexa-uk8lj it's in the city of New Orleans.

[@alchemistamineh3261]

Beautiful video 👏🏾🙌🏾

[@angelalawsonreadings]

Beautiful. ASE 🙏🏽💚🥰

[@nirazarazara7634]

Respect and love for you........ Spirituality is great

[@billyseah1584]

i am a green witch in the east. my respect to Voodoo/Hoodoo practices. 🙏

[@j.zuberi]

Beautiful!

[@ANAHATAJADE]

Thank you for this truth!!!!

[@Reihanism73]

I so wanna sit down with these lovely people and learn more from them.

[@shonniebabii6767]

BLESSINGS..... GREAT SHORT DOC!