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What is Congo Square?

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In the Shape of New Orleans, there is much to be said about this sacred place. I chose this site because when I was younger, my mother was a well-known singer in New Orleans. She wrote a song called Congo Square in her early singing career. In the song, there was so much depth of emotion, depth of history and profound spirituality connecting to this place called “Congo Square”. It was not until I grew older that I realized the roots of Congo Square and how much of a role this sacred place played throughout my lineage and ancestry.

Congo square is in Downtown New Orleans. It is an open space within Louis Armstrong park and is also located within the Treme neighborhood. Across Rampart just north of the French quarter. Congo square is the foundations of New Orleans spirituality, robust flavor in food, dance and music.

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In the Late 18th and 19th Century

the Spanish and then French ruled over New Orleans. Every Sunday the Afro Americans gathered and allowed to congregate in an open area close to the center of the city. This Area became known as Congo Square and is remembered as the stronghold of the Afro community, where the spirit of the people came alive and took over the overall essence of the city of New Orleans. Music was centerfold at Congo Square, and the people danced and sang to the sounds of the drums. This was the dominant center of Amarukan Spirituality, where ritualistic chanting and dancing all made the magic surreal. The French and Spanish during these times were considered more laid back, in comparison to the discrimination and subjugation of people of color found elsewhere all throughout the south, and so these congregations continued to happen syncing itself in with the culture. Up until New Orleans became a part of the U.S. and British Settlements, then came in the fears of what may come from the Afro tapping into his own spirituality—outside of the church.

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The Haitian Revolution

The Revolution Came about right before the U.S. made the Louisiana Purchase, and was also a great factor in how the French lost their only territory within the “New World”. The Haitians were still in touch with their spirituality after they were shipped to these lands, and the autochthonous who were already present. The Haitians Practiced Vodum (Voodoo), used their spirituality to give rise to their war like energy to overthrow their oppressors and ultimately freed themselves from their bondage. This Revolution caused the French King to take a huge loss in capital, and led to the relinquishment of the Louisiana Territory to the United States. This revolution became known throughout the south of lower north America and other regions where there was a large Afro population; and soon the people began to fear that a revolt such as the Haitian revolt would make its way to North America. The fears of the people transmuted into the demise of the spirituality of Afro American peoples within New Orleans. Voodoo (Afro Spirituality) became the works of the devil; the dancing and chanting became savage and evil in the eyes of the fearful oppressor. Soon thereafter, the congregations in Congo Square were demonized, so more and more Afro Americans over time moved their spirituality into the house of the oppressor—the Christian and Catholic Churches. With the attempt to convert many of the Afro People to these religions, you can still find today within the church many cues and traces of traditions that originated from Afro Spirituality in Congo Square.

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Today

Congo Square is respected by the Natives as a place to worship and recognize the ancestors and ancestry of the city. The trees in Congo Square are some of the oldest trees in the city, and this facilitates the sacred works that take place, such and peace rally’s and commemoration marches; all to shed light on Congo Squares history, and the rights of the people. From the Arial view of Armstrong park, Congo Square being the inward spiral—representing the strength in its spirituality among the city center. The entire Armstrong Park was built about the location of Congo Square.

Every SUNday

from three to five in the afternoon the elders and the youth congregate to drum on the African drums, dance and make music; keeping the historical energy of the ancestors alive. This is hosted and ran by the Congo Square Preservation Society, Preserving and fostering respect for New Orleans’ indigenous traditions and historic places through cultural and educational programming. Because of a severe gentrification taking effect in present day New Orleans, it leaves room for events that are not considered in sync with the worship and respect of these sacred grounds; such as dog parades and locals buying out the space to host events solely for capital. A history of Great Jazz Musicians surfacing from Congo Square. Timeless artists such as Louis Armstrong, and Mahalia Jackson have their statues showing their significance within the community. Also, a Statue of the Great Afro Indigenous Chief Tuuti Montana conveying the Mardi Gras Indians connection to Congo square as well.

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The great musicians

& Icons being commemorated in this location, the Jazz Festival was originally started and hosted within Congo Square/Armstrong Park every single year. It was thrown as a free community event for the people and was later bought out to then be relocated to the fair grounds to continue the cities promotion for tourism and pursue the conquest of capital to be distributed throughout certain sanctions of the city. Since the relocation of Jazz Fest, the Congo Square fest was created and is a free admissions event. Brass bands, Mardi Gras Indians, New Orleans funk and African dance are all to be seen, heard and felt at the Congo Square Festival.

Funk and soul take center stage at the Congo Square Rhythms Festival, which celebrates the Autochonous diaspora and the melting pot of traditions that gives New Orleans culture its unique flavor. Also having an array of beautiful, hand-made artworks and crafts by local artisans, in the arts market presented. Having more than two dozen vendors, offering fine art, photography, jewelry, clothing and housewares. Aside from the festivals thrown in honor of the Jazz Legends, Every Thursday “Jazz in the Park” is thrown for local artists to come together and have jam sessions with local vendors present as well.

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The Recent Events

that have taken place within the City of New Orleans for decades, and across the U.S. concerning the lives and safety of young African American men. The Black Man march (or also known as the “man up” march) spread throughout the city and by the end of the march everyone was in Congo Squares Center-- with attempts to spread awareness and put a stop to police brutality and homicide rates exemplified within the realms of Afro American young men. Undertaking support and promoting true knowledge on Congo Square’s history and significance in the cultural and economic development of New Orleans and the world.

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The 10-year Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina

took place in Congo Square and made possible by Gulf South Rising. An organization that bought out the park to have the free event for those who had been affected by the storm through losses of loved ones and to have a memorial for the milestone event Katrina was in New Orleans History. They use the money raised from the anniversary to promote awareness of environmental, and social issues of sustainability.

The beauty of the people and the scars of their ancestral past can all be seen and felt in Congo Square, and merges itself throughout the city through the citizens who keep the traditions of acknowledging past lives so that they can remain as a guiding force of energy in the present.

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Listen To The Song Below For A Real Feeling and Tale of Afro Spirituality In the Americas

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REFERENCES

"Congo Square." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 12 Apr. 2017. Web. 21 Apr. 2017.
Branley, Edward. "NOLA History: Congo Square and the Roots of New Orleans Music." GoNOLA.com. GoNola, 02 July 2012. Web. 20 Mar. 2017.
"New Orleans Voodoo’s African Origins." NewOrleansOnline.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2017.
"Congo Square Preservation Society." HOME - Congo Square Preservation Society. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2017.
"History ‹ New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival." New Orleans Jazz Heritage Festival. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2017.
"Congo Square New World Rhythms Festival." NewOrleansOnline.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2017.
"Katrina 10 – Week of Action." Gulf South Rising. N.p., 21 Apr. 2016. Web. 21 Apr. 2017.