New Orleans National Vodou Day Events Held This Weekend

New Orleans is set to commemorate National Vodou Day with a series of events highlighting the spiritual, cultural and historical significance of Vodou. The celebration begins on April 4 featuring esteemed speakers from New Orleans, Benin and beyond.

The press conference will explore the role of Vodou in global healing, heritage preservation, and its deep-rooted significance in New Orleans. Featured speakers include:

Rosine Pema Sanga – Director of International Relations, Mayor’s Office of New Orleans
Mr. Mahougnon KAKPO – President of Benin’s Vodun Committee
Christian Houechenou – Mayor of Ouidah, Benin
Nate Debos – President, New Orleans National Vodou Day (NONVD)
Denise Augustine – NONVD Culture Bearer & Sacred Storyteller
Lilith Dorsey – NONVD Creative Director & Author
Divine Prince Ty Emmecca – NONVD Secretary & Culture Bearer

Following the press conference at 10:30 a.m. April 4 at Café Istanbul (2372 St. Claude Ave, Room 252), the National Vodou Day events continue with a weekend of cultural and spiritual programming:

April 5: Xavier University will host a symposium on African Traditional Religions and global healing, complemented by an art show, an Afro-Ecology exhibit, and a children’s program introducing young minds to Vodou’s rich traditions.
April 6: The celebration culminates with a sacred processional honoring the ancestors of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, followed by a Vodou ceremony in Congo Square, bringing together esteemed Vodou practitioners from Benin, Haiti, and New Orleans.

New Orleans National Vodou Day is a landmark event that underscores the city’s deep connections to African spirituality and its role in preserving and celebrating Vodou as a global cultural heritage. For more information, attendees are encouraged to visit the official NONVD website .