Afro-Cuban Religions and the Arts: A Dog Has Four Legs but Takes Only One Path

by Alan West-Durán

Overview

Afro-Cuban Religions and the Arts: A Dog Has Four LegsBut Takes Only One Path argues for an understanding of Afro-Cuban religions and Vodou through the arts, be it through music, the visual arts, film, or literature. This book examines the philosophical and spiritual facets of religions like Regla de Ocha, Palo, Abakuá, and Vodou, and how deeply embedded they are in Cuban popular culture. Cuban popular music, from son to salsa, timba to rap, offer reflections on Ocha, Palo, and Abakuá influences. Film and visual arts borrow allegory from Regla de Ocha and Palo beliefs. Myth and the Haitian Revolution is embedded throughout the work of Alejo Carpentier, Aimé Césaire, and Derek Walcott. This volume seeks to dialogue with the works of contemporary artists and Caribbean ancestors such as C.L.R. James, Wilson Harris, and Fernández-Retamar, in order to show the impacts that spiritualism, religious belief, and mythology have had on Afro-Cuban art.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781793639820
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	12/20/2024
Series:	Bloomsbury Studies on Cuba
Pages:	294
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.81(d)

About the Author

Alan West-Durán is professor in the Department of Cultures, Societies, and Global Studies (CSGS) at Northeastern University.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction: The Dogs of Myth, the Dogs of History
Chapter 1: Don't Mess With the Saints: Afro-Cuban Religions and Popular Music, from María Teresa Vera to Hip Hop
Chapter 2: "A River That Never Rests": Omar Sosa
Chapter 3: Whistling into the Future with the Orishas: "Life is to Whistle"
Chapter 4: Water, Crossroads and Diaspora: Magda Campos-Pons
Chapter 5: Crossroads of History and the Spirits: José Bedia
Chapter 6: All That's Ideology Melts into Flesh: "Juan of the Dead" and Palero Resilience
Chapter 7: The Haitian Revolution and Vodou: Myth, Muses and History
Postscript: A Dialogue with the Dead
Appendix A: Regla de Ocha (Santeria)
Appendix B: Reglas de Palo
Appendix C: The Abakuá
Appendix D: Vodou
Appendix E: Chart of Comparative Pantheons (Ocha-Palo-Abakuá-Catholic—Greek)
Appendix F: Vodou Pantheon with Catholic Syncretisms
Appendix G: Afro-Cuban Religious and Vodou Glossary of Terms
Bibliography
Index
About the Author

Editorial Reviews

This is an exceptional book, beautifully written, and infused with deep spirituality and academic rigor. Alan West-Duraacute;n offers a comprehensive exploration of Afro-Cuban religions like Ocha, Palo, and Abakuaacute; through the lenses of music, art, and film. He masterfully discusses how popular genres such as son, salsa, and rap reflect Afro-Cuban spirituality, analyzing songs that highlight faith, rituals, and cultural pride. Subsequent chapters study the work of distinguished artists like Omar Sosa, whose music brilliantly blends Afro-Cuban and global influences, and Mariacute;a Magdalena Campos-Pons, whose art powerfully engages with identity and orisha spirituality. Through insightful analyses of films by Fernando Peacute;rez and artwork by Joseacute; Bedia, the book skillfully examines representations of orisha archetypes and Cuban spiritual practices. It culminates with an insightful discussion of the Haitian Revolution and Vodou, offering a deep understanding of their lasting impact on both Haitian and Cuban cultural identity and social change. Afro-Cuban Religions and the Arts is an outstanding and illuminating work.

Luis Duno-Gottberg

Alan West-Duraacute;n has expertly weaved together an insightful interpretation of numerous African-inflected cultural practices in Cuba, including literary texts, musical compositions, the visual arts, and films. His analysis eloquently demonstrates how myth and history of African origin permeate Cuban culture, both popular and elite, especially through the influence of the three major Afro-Cuban religions: Regla de Ocha, Palo, and Abakuaacute;.

Jorge Duany