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Afro-Caribbean Spiritualities Many linguistic and religious ...

God in places, objects: candles, statues, relics. God in everyday life: feasts, prayer ... Focus on religious value of weak and downtrodden

Kelvin_Ajay
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Afro-Caribbean Spiritualities Many linguistic and religious ...

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    Slide 1:Afro-Caribbean Spiritualities

    Many linguistic and religious traditions in Africa Dahomean (from Dahomey) Nigeria and Benin Yoruban (from Yoruba) “Slave Coast”

    Slide 2:Historical Precursors

    African Religions Dahomean Spiritual Hierarchy: Nana-Buluku Mawu-Lisa Da Vodou (gods) Legba (intermediary) Sakpata (earth) Sogbo (sky) Agbe (water)

    Slide 3:Historical Precursors

    Dahomean hierarchy, continued: Nature Spirits Ancestors Humans Ancestral soul Personal soul Divine soul Animals Objects

    Slide 4:Historical Precursors

    The Slave Trade Native American: Arawak Ciboney Population on Haiti 60,000 in 1508, 500 in 1548 Population on Cuba 60,000 in 1492, 1500 in 1550 Smudging, herbal lore European Undesireables: Jews, Muslims, Moors, “Heretics,” Ladinos Folk traditions Racial Slavery “Indians Punished” 1532

    Slide 5:The Slave Trade

    The African Trade Haiti: 1515-1730: 200 slaves per year 1730-1792: 13,000 slaves per year Cuba: 1511-1788: 360 slaves per year 1781-1865: 7,000 slaves per year Slaves on the Middle Passage

    Slide 6:The Slave Trade

    Slavery Experience: Mostly male 8-10% died during “Middle Passage” 8-10% died per year on plantations ‘Breeding’ slaves a U.S. phenomenon Female slaves after 1840 in Cuba “Punishing Slaves in Cuba” 1860’s

    Slide 7:Impact of Slave Trade

    Changes to belief & ritual structure of African religions Nature Spirituality lost Ancestor worship lost New level of cosmos conceptualized: Ginen New Vodou (lwas) discovered – angry deities Changes to system of transmission of beliefs Old ways: 1) inheritance 2) childbirth 3) illness New ways: adoption via initiation into lineage

    Slide 8:Historical influences in the New World

    Slide 9:Forced Christianization

    Africans had no “true” religion Conversion would make slaves accept their fate as part of God’s plan Code Noir 1685 Revisions to Code Noir mid-18th c.: slaves cannot congregate except in presence of priest Penalties for violation: branding, whipping, death Slave owners who allow their slaves to congregate fined 100 gold crowns; second offence could be punished with life imprisonment on slave galley ships Caption (translated): Exorcism-Baptism of the Negroes.

    Slide 10:Slave Catechism

    Who is the principal slave of Satan'? – the principal slave of Satan is the houngan [vodou priest]. What are the names given by houngan to Satan? – The names given to Satan by houngan are loas [the term for the gods], angels, saints morts [venerated ancestors], and marass [the divine twins]. Why do houngan give Satan the names of angels, saints, and morts? – Houngan call Satan after saints, angels and morts in order to deceive us more easily. How do men serve Satan'? – In sinning, casting spells, practicing magic, giving food-offerings, worshipping les anges, worshipping marassa. Are we allowed to mingle with the slaves of Satan? – No, because they are evil-doers; like Satan himself they are liars.” “Negro prayer meeting” 19th c.

    Slide 11:Folk Catholicism

    Official Catholicism: Baptism confirmation matrimony extreme unction Eucharist penance holy orders The Seven African Powers

    Slide 12:Folk Catholicism

    Independent of Church control Cult of Personages (Cult of Saints) including Mary & Jesus God in places, objects: candles, statues, relics God in everyday life: feasts, prayer without priestly intercession could bring God’s aid Public religion – processions, feast days Emphasis on death (martyrdom) Focus on religious value of weak and downtrodden "an old-time midnight slave funeral” 1881

    Slide 13:Haitian Revolution

    August 22, 1791 Ratio of slaves:owners = 100:1 Large numbers of escaped slaves Boukman Francois L’Overture Jean-Jacques Dessalines Republic of Haiti Nov. 28, 1803 - 70,000 Haitians, 70,000 french soldiers dead

    Slide 14:Haitian Revolution

    Significance: Republic of Haiti without Official Catholic influence for about 50 years – room for Vodou to flourish 1791—1803, Fleeing Slave-owners go to Cuba – bring Vodou with slaves to Cuba 1809 – banished from Cuba, Slave-owners go to Louisiana – bring Vodou to New Orleans Jean-Jacques Dessalines

    Slide 15:Spiritism

    Allan Kardec (Hyppolyte Leon Denizard Rivail) Investigation into Spiritualism The Spirits’ Book (1857) 3 types of souls: recently dead & impure souls; reincarnated human souls; evolved spirits of light Many worlds of beings: earth is 3rd world; spirits of light are on 7th and highest world God is distant from human concerns; spirits of light are closer to us, and help us Karma governs reincarnation

    Slide 16:Spiritism

    Communication via mediumship with spirits Spirits of recently dead can communicate with us and help us Ancestors, friends speak via spirits of light who possess mediums - blends seamlessly with African emphasis on ancestors and gods/lwas Spiritist services are called Misa: they are seances with possession trance, messages from the dead - become major way Vodou practitioners communicate with ancestors and/or divine

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