Backtime Religion in the Danish West Indies: Africana Heritage Religion Beyond Obeah

During the era of slavery in the Danish West Indies, a distinct Africana heritage religion was developed by the enslaved population that relied on performative expression, and Gregory Carter traces this heritage.

This spiritualty shared many attributes with other African heritage religions throughout the African Atlantic, including belief in spirit powers, the veneration of ancestors, polyrhythmic music, dance, costumed masquerade performance, reliance on herbalism and spirit mediumship. Si...