Congo Square

Congo Square in the southern corner of Louis Armstrong Park has a long and storied history. Starting in the late 1700s in Spanish-controlled New Orleans, Black slaves were given Sunday afternoons off for the “Day of Rest.” This was part of the Code Noir, or Black Code, that was adhered to by both Catholic Spanish and French slave owners.

On Sunday afternoons, city leaders allowed slaves to gather outside of the city north of Rampart Street. Originally, this area was called Place de Negres, or Place Congo. Eventually, the city grew past this gathering point and it became known as Congo Square.

Congo Square - one of the highlights of 10 Most Popular Streets in New Orleans and 10 Best Places to Learn about Voodoo in New Orleans (Read all about New Orleans here)

Highlights of Congo Square

Congo Square became a meeting point for slaves to gather and share music, dance, and other traditions. Catholic Creole slave owners were generally less strict about forcing slaves to become Christian and give up their African ways than their Protestant slave-owning counterparts.

In attempts to gain relief from the heat, many slaves would strip down and begin to dance and sing. The “Calinda” dance was the most noted dance by whites who observed them. Though the dancing was sometimes deemed scandalous by white slave owners, they determined that slaves who had a respite were generally more productive, so they often turned a blind eye.

Good to know about Congo Square

Congo Square still exists, even after attempts to curtail the activities there by white city leaders after the Civil War. It's an important place for Black culture and music. Many music historians think the square was imperative to the development of jazz music.

As part of a revitalisation plan for the Tremé area, many houses were demolished and Louis Armstrong Park was built around Congo Square. Today, the area is known for jazz music, soul food, and its African and Creole cultural heritage. Many voodoo practitioners gather to perform rituals in this spiritual place.

Location: 701 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA

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