Afro-Caribbean Religions: An Introduction to Their Historical, Cultural, and Sacred Traditions

by Nathaniel Samuel Murrell

Overview

Religion is one of the most important elements of Afro-Caribbean culture linking its people to their African past, from Haitian Vodou and Cuban Santeria—popular religions that have often been demonized in popular culture—to Rastafari in Jamaica and Orisha-Shango of Trinidad and Tobago. In Afro-Caribbean Religions, Nathaniel Samuel Murrell provides a comprehensive study that respectfully traces the social, historical, and political contexts of these religions. And, because Brazil has the largest African population in the world outside of Africa, and has historic ties to the Caribbean, Murrell includes a section on Candomble, Umbanda, Xango, and Batique.

This accessibly written introduction to Afro-Caribbean religions examines the cultural traditions and transformations of all of the African-derived religions of the Caribbean along with their cosmology, beliefs, cultic structures, and ritual practices. Ideal for classroom use, Afro-Caribbean Religions also includes a glossary defining unfamiliar terms and identifying key figures.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781439901755
Publisher:	Temple University Press
Publication date:	01/25/2010
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	432
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Nathaniel Samuel Murrell is Associate Professor of Philosophy and Religion at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and the co-editor of Chanting Down Babylon: The Rastafari Reader (Temple).

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments 
Introduction

PART I: African Connections: Historical Roots Of Afro- Caribbean Religions 
1. Yoruba, Fon- Ewe, Ashanti, and Kongo Cultural History 
2. African Cultus and Functionaries

PART II: Vodou: Haitian Religion 
3. Vodou and the Haitians’ Struggle 
4. Serving the Lwa

PART III: Santeria And Palo Monte: Cuban Religion Of The Orisha And Drums 
5. Caribbean Santeria 
6. Energy of the Ashe Community and Cultus 
7. Palo Monte Mayombe

PART IV: Creole Religions Of The Southern Caribbean 
8. Dancing to Orixas’ Axe in Candomble 
9. Umbanda and Its Antecedents 
10. Orisha Powers: Creole Religion in Trinidad and Tobago

PART V: Jamaica’s Creole Religions: Culture Of Resistance And Rhythms 
11. Obeah: Magical Art of Re sis tancer 
12. Myal and Kumina in Jamaica’s Past 
13. Poco, Zion, and Convince 
14. The Rastafari Chant

Conclusion 
Notes 
Glossary 
Selected Bibliography 
Index

Editorial Reviews

Murrell (philosophy & religion, Univ. of North Carolina, Wilmington; coeditor, Chanting Down Babylon: The Rastafari Reader) offers this work as a primer, chiefly for the classroom, on those religions of the Caribbean that harken back to African roots. He begins by sketching religious traditions of west and central Africa and the slave trade that brought Africans from these regions to the Caribbean. With this basis, he continues to use geography as an organizing principle, discussing religions of Haiti (Vodoo), Cuba (Santeria, Palo Monte), Trinidad and Tobago (Orisha), Jamaica (Obeah, Rastafari) and even Brazil (Candomble, Umbanda). This final choice is a strange one, given that Brazil is not Caribbean, unlike Surinam or Puerto Rico, which Murrell chose not to include in this volume. Although this is a scholarly work, drawing on numerous resources, Murrell occasionally uses a more familiar, even emotional voice. VERDICT Despite Murrell's description of this as an introductory volume, his work will best serve those who already have some background on the subject because his language can get technical and dense. It will prove invaluable for experienced readers with a deep interest in the subject, whether or not in the classroom.—Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Lib., Wisconsin Rapids

Library Journal

Afro-Caribbean Religions is an excellent book—richly informative, well researched and organized. Murrell explains complex religions in accessible language, and successfully informs the reader about the contents and histories of the religions that are so respectfully presented here. It is truly an enjoyable read, and one learns new things on virtually every page. I would expect Afro-Caribbean Religions to receive an enthusiastic reception among students and professors alike for many years to come.”—Dr. Terry Rey, Associate Professor and Chair of Religion at Temple University

From the Publisher