Legacy of The Dancing Virgins

The Virgins of New Orleans have lived and worked amongst us all for the past two centuries. Today, their identities are held in secrecy, and they gather privately for prayer and fellowship that honors their spiritual lifestyle of celibacy. However, The Virgins of New Orleans have welcomed a select group, named, 'Patrons to The Virgins', to serve in protecting and advocating their lifestyle and traditions.

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One night a year, The Virgins of New Orleans emerge from hiding to dance and celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of their Virgin Mother, Mary. The Patrons welcome The Virgins this time of year by hosting a one-of-a-kind party called, New Orleans Festival of the Dancing Virgins. During the Festival, The Patrons offer music, food, beverages, costume decorations and special performances while being treated to beautifully arranged dances by The Virgins before they return to hiding for another year. 

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History of The Dancing Virgins

There is no official record of the origin of The Dancing Virgins. Folktales suggest the small society formed following the great relocation of Sicilian immigrants who settled in New Orleans in the 19th century as an adoration to the thriving citrus industry in comparison to the economic hardships experienced in their homeland. 

 

However, due to heavy racial and economic conflicts, the immigrants still endured the adversities of discrimination and violence. It was during this difficult time, a group of young women made the decision to commit to a lifestyle of purity and prayer as a spiritual way to invoke peace to all experiencing hardship. Overtime, their communities would refer to these women as, The Virgins of New Orleans.

The reverence toward The Virgins spread throughout the city. The Virgins would gather throughout the neighborhoods to sing and pray, and it wasn't uncommon for passersby to break from their daily tasks to participate. At one point, being a Virgin of New Orleans was considered a high-status symbol among every social and economic class.

 

Which leads to the first known story of The Virgins celebration of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of their Virgin Mother, Mary. At the time, there was animosity among the successful Italian citrus industry in New Orleans and the already established cotton and sugar industry, that would eventually culminate in violence and bloodshed which resulted in the Italians losing their place in the citrus trade. However, on that first Feast, it is said that Italians, Irish and Germans all joined together to celebrate with The Virgins with no violence ensuing among them that night. 
 

Unfortunately, overtime, the public gatherings for The Virgins became increasingly compromised. For safety, they would begin to meet in secret with their identities and practices protected amongst themselves and a selective group that would later become, 'The Patrons to The Virgins.' The traditions of The Virgins and The Patrons are alive today as they await a time when they can celebrate and feast freely in the open with all who are committed to love, peace and unity.

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Safra Dell' Arancia Rossa - Blood Orange Festival

 

Traditionally, Sicily would enjoy the harvest of the blood orange beginning in December to peak season in February, concluding with the Blood Orange Festival every year. Southeast Louisiana also continues its celebrations today of the thriving orange harvest after facing the severe weather hardships throughout the last century. The Patrons to The Virgins would incorporate blood oranges throughout the festival in food, drink and decorations as a representation of purity in the Sicilian culture. The Patrons today still continue this tradition at the Festival in honor of the citrus that played such an important role in the past, present and future of The Virgin legacy.