Congo Square: African Roots in New Orleans

by Freddi Williams Evans, J.H. Kwabena Nketia (Foreword)

Comprehensive study of one of the New World's most sacred sites of African American memory and community.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Africa

209 pages, Paperback

First published April 19, 2011

About the author

Freddi Williams Evans is author of Come Sunday: A Young Reader’s History of Congo Square and Congo Square: African Roots in New Orleans.

Reviews

[Marian · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you read the history of Rome, or Greece, of the Middle East, you are accustomed to the evidence of pottery, to seeing the outline of stone walls, to the treasure of painted images on an intact wall of Herculaneum. Freddi Evans has given us a different type of evidence in her history of Congo Square. You will find maps and photos in this book, but what impressed me was the evidence that culture lays down on the human mind. If one has eyes to see, the music, dance, language, food and strength of those enslaved Africans who populated New Orleans can still be discovered. Ms. Evans corrects many myths about the square and gives the reader a rich view of life for the enslaved and the free Blacks of New Orleans. I’m from a more Protestant area of the state, so it was amazing to read that some of the enslaved were allowed to live separately from their Catholic owners. They were allowed to buy and sell merchandise on their Sunday off. (Imagine a Sunday off!) Congo Square was, no doubt, seen as a necessary relief valve for the community. However it was a relief valve that permitted some measure of African culture to survive in bodies and souls of the people. Spectators at the site spread African-style music to the nation. I feared to find a depressing history, but there is treasure here.

[molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent, thorough history of the people, place, music, cultural traditions, and legacy of Congo Square. If you're familiar with New Orleans history, a lot of it will read like stuff you already know but in much greater depth. To me, the biggest takeaway was that Congo Square's cultural importance as the birthplace of jazz (and, to a significant extent, American popular music) isn't just a cliche used by the CVB to attract tourists -- it's a fact. I loved learning about the specific West African-derived rhythmic patterns that have spawned musical genres across the Americas. Evans is so thorough and fastidious in presenting her research that the prose is somewhat repetitive, but it's an important refrain. An important read for any music or New Orleans fan.

[Sean Chick · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a wealth of information here on one of the many hearts of New Orleans (the other two being Jackson Square and Lafayette Cemetery Number 1). The organization is thematic, and I think a chronological approach would have been more rewarding and captivating. Music recieves the most attention, which is right considering Congo Square had a such a pervasive influence on American music: minstrels, rock n roll, classical, and in particular Jazz. So the book feels a bit messy, but is easily a must read for any historian of New Orleans.

[Rhonda Hankins]

The history of Congo Square told in an academic style with a lot of quotes from old newspaper articles or journal entries by visitors. The research that went into this book makes the details rich. Chapters are plainly laid out: instruments; songs; dances, etc. and the reader gets a pretty good overview of the history of this extraordinary place.

For someone like me who loves jazz, soul, funk, and hip hop, it is exhilarating to learn about the place where this music was born.

That the author of this book advocated for the name of the square to be officially recognized as Congo Square is really exciting. A big thank you to the author for that effort and for this important book.

[Slate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read that details some of the practices and history of the enslaved people that gathered at Congo Square. I think it's a great source for connecting contemporary music with its historical origins and influences.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short read. I was interested in the history of Congo Square & the musical instruments progression over time.

[Akhil Kang · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent book to understand New Orleans' history. I learned so much about music (among other things)!

[Donovan Blount · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book outlines the customs and practices that Africans kept alive in New Orleans, despite being enslaved.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

ii was a gift from my daughter who moved to New Orleans and knows I love all things Africa. It's an academic book but very readable for the NOLA traveler or Africanist. Freddi Williams Evans has assembled thorough research, well documented. The notes and bibliography are worth the price of the book. I myself will use it as a historical travel guide when I head to Louisiana this month.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that is historically interesting and yet explains contemporary New Orleans. It is a story that needed to be told about the slaves and others in New Orleans, the life they lived, and the manner in which on Sundays they celebrated their heritage. I recently attended a music festival in Congo Square and recalled the vitality of the Africans about which this book was written and imagined how they spent their Sundays in that same square.

[Ellen Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

didn't finish. too history heavy. good info and I think anyone who lives in New Orleans would really like it.