Save Our Cemeteries Volunteer Project

 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).

 

BEFORE PICTURE

 I volunteered for this project and thoroughly enjoyed it, since it felt nice contributing time toward the restoration of a historical landmark.

AFTER PICTURE

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.