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As to when exactly did voodoo and the making of the infamous voodoo dolls began cannot be traced. What is positive is that it took place since ancient times. This practiced has become modernized through the passing of time. The full understanding of why the voodoo doll is essential in the voodoo culture will lead you to become a better voodoo practitioner in the future. In America and other Western countries, where slavery has become as common as bread, voodoo flourished in the African slave community. The slaves used this practice to threaten the slave owners, who were very much superstitious then. As we know, witches and any form of witchcraft always caused panic in the olden days. There were also many whites who eventually practiced this, mixing it with Christianity for their 'voodoo' to somehow have some holiness in it. Marie Laveau was the most feared and respected practitioner of this form of 'mixed voodoo. She was constantly sought by many white clients, some of them learned the craft from her. Because of its popularity, the practice became eventually known as New Orleans Voodoo since the city was known in the 18th and 19th century to have been the home of the most powerful voodoo priests.

The New Orleans voodoo doll has become the simplest type of voodoo doll to create. Here's how:

Have the following ready: -2 strong sticks, the other should be longer than the other - spanish moss, enough to cover the whole length and width to be made from the sticks - left over fabric, you should follow the meaning of the colors in voodoo like - blue (love), green (money), red (power), purple (psychic development and dreams, commanding presence), black (repelling negativity) -yarn (to represent the hair), string, hemp cord or waxed thread -2 beads, buttons, or black eyed peas that will become the eyes of your doll needle and thread in a color to match or contrast your fabric -glue

Direction on how to make a voodoo doll, new orleans style:

A cross shaped figure must be made from the sticks. The shorter sticks will be the hands. A string must be used to tie then securely. Wrap the Spanish moss to the cross. Then wrap the fabric strips to the cross, make eyes by attaching or sewing the beads, buttons or the peas. Add the yarn or real hair. If you want to have the hair permanently inside the doll, have it with the spanish moss while you are wrapping the cross figure with the spanish moss. Attach the yarn and then make the eyes by gluing the black eyed peas or stitiching the buttons or beads. Remember to intensely concentrate while making the voodoo doll.