The Louisiana Black Code: The Origin of Catholic Conjure
The origin of Catholic Conjure in Southern Hoodoo comes from the implementation of the Louisiana Black Code (Code Noir) promulgated at Versailles in 1724 for the administration of justice, police, discipline, and commerce of African American slaves ( http://www.knowla.org/ ). The Black Code forbade the practice of African traditional religions or any variants under the penalty of death. All slaves were forced to convert to Catholicism and Jews were expelled from the colony so there was a complete and total Catholic rule. In order to maintain any kind of traditional beliefs, the slaves recognized similarities between their Deities and the Catholic Saints and were able to continue serving their Spirits under the guise of Catholicism. Pretty ingenious. Over time, the saints were acknowledged as separate entities in New Orleans and some were incorporated into New Orleans Voodoo practices. A cooperative coexistence occurred and has been carried on in the practice of Hoodoo in Louis
