Creole Religions of the Caribbean - An Introduction from Vodou and Santeria, to Obeah and Espiritismo (Paperback)

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""Creole Religions" stands out as vastly superior to the theologically oriented introductory-level material available up to this point and should serve as an indispensible teaching tool in departments of anthropology, sociology, literary criticism and history of religions."
--"Journal of Religion"

"Unique to such a study, this book uses extracts from novels . . . to illustrate some points. [A] fine text."
--"Library Journal"

aThe book provides a unique sociocultural, historical and political analysis of Caribbean religion.a
-- Centro Journal

"Bravo! A well-written text that de-mystifies Creole spiritual practices and places them in historical perspective is a major contribution to the twenty-first century. Over and above the accurate and detailed descriptions of the various spiritual practices of the Caribbean, the authors have clearly delineated the historic origin and connection of Creole practices to African religions, often indicating the specific regions of Africa from which they came. This volume provides an excellent overview of the history and culture of the Caribbean islands and is the first of its kind to present comprehensive, well-researched treatise of Obeah, Myalism, Quimbois, Espiritismo, Vodou, Santeria, Regla de Palo, and the Abukua Secret Society as well as the more recent traditions of Rastafarianism and Pocomania. This work is interesting and will leave the reader well informed about the Caribbean island's religions, practices, and culture, complete with present-day expressions in the Caribbean. It will be an important text for the study of the Caribbean, religion, ethnicity, race, andculture.
--"Multicultural Review"

"Descriptive and comparative."
--"Choice"

""Creole Religions of the Caribbean" approaches readers as if they were out-of-town guests at a dinner party, thoroughly acquainting them with the topics of conversation and encouraging them to mingle among the liveliest characters."--"The Journal of Religion"

"This book provides valuable insider information that can assist Christians as they work and witness in the Spanish and English Caribbean or among the Caribbean Diaspora."--"Missiology"

"Offers an excellent...multidisciplinary introduction to the scholarship in this area of study."
--"New West Indian Guide"

Creolization the coming together of diverse beliefs and practices to form new beliefs and practices-is one of the most significant phenomena in Caribbean religious history. Brought together in the crucible of the sugar plantation, Caribbean peoples drew on the variants of Christianity brought by European colonizers, as well as on African religious and healing traditions and the remnants of Amerindian practices, to fashion new systems of belief.

Creole Religions of the Caribbean offers a comprehensive introduction to the syncretic religions that have developed in the region. From Vodou, SanterA-a, Regla de Palo, the AbakuA Secret Society, and Obeah to Quimbois and Espiritismo, the volume traces the historical-cultural origins of the major Creole religions, as well as the newer traditions such as Pocomania and Rastafarianism.

Chapters devoted to specific traditions trace their history, their pantheons and major rituals, and their current-day expressions in the Caribbean and in the diaspora. The volume also provides a generalhistorical background of the Caribbean region.

Creole Religions of the Caribbean is the first text to provide a study of the Creole religions of the Caribbean and will be an indispensable guide to the development of these rich religious traditions and practices.

With 23 black and white illustrations