Louisiana’s oral tradition is still very much alive today, though much of the popular folklore has been transcribed. Especially in the deep southern parts of the state, where Catholicism and Voodoo tended to mix and the old French Quarter and Garden District homes still stand, the material for a good story is rich.

These ghost stories of the French Quarter and surrounding areas are still told today (several even collected from my mother, Judy Brining):

There are also many traiteure (people who healed by prayer and laying-on of hands) stories of the bayous and marshlands that have not been transcribed. Two of these were often told by my mother: Roach Tea and Taking the Sun Out of Your Head.

In addition to ghost stories and traiteure tales, Louisiana people have several rituals and traditions that are based in lore. For example, our Easter season celebration includes Mardi Gras, representing the last gasp of decadence before Lent.

Any collection of Louisiana folklore would be incomplete without acknowledging good oldies from the African tradition, which influenced much of the Creole folklore. From African tradition, these stories have been collected: Mr. Monkey, the Bridegroom, and Singing Bones.

At last, the lagniappe...

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