Channeling Knowledges - Water and Afro-Diasporic Spirits in Latinx and Caribbean Worlds

Water is a place of connection for Caribbean and Latinx writers, who use it to reconnect to their pasts, presents, and futures. Afro-diasporic religions view water as a place of connection, where spiritual entities and ancestors reside, and knowledge awaits. Channeling Knowledges explores how Latinx and Caribbean cultural production draws on systems of Afro-diasporic worship to channel the power of water, both salty and sweet, in sustaining connections between past, present, and not-yet-imagined futures.

Format: Hardback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 09 May 2023
Publisher: University of Texas Press

Water, a versatile and essential element, holds the power to bridge divides and foster connections across different cultures and regions. In the case of the Caribbean and Latinx communities, water plays a significant role in reconnecting individuals to their past, present, and future.

Historically, water has been used as a tool to impose geopolitical borders, dividing communities and creating barriers between them. For instance, the construction of the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo on the US-Mexico border serves as a stark example of this practice. Similarly, the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean are used to delineate the limits of US territory, further emphasizing the division imposed by water.

However, Afro-diasporic religions offer a different perspective on water. These religions perceive water as a place of connection, where spiritual entities and ancestors reside, and where knowledge awaits. This interconnected view of water challenges the traditional notion of water as a source of division.

In her book, "Channeling Knowledges: Water, Salt, and Sweetness in the Work of Latinx and Caribbean Creators," Rebeca L. Hey-Colon explores the depth and breadth of water in the work of Latinx and Caribbean creators. Through an interdisciplinary approach that combines methodologies from literary studies, anthropology, history, and religious studies, Hey-Colon traces how Latinx and Caribbean cultural production draws on systems of Afro-diasporic worship, such as Haitian Vodou, La 21 Division (Dominican Vodou), and Santeria/Regla de Ocha, to channel the power of water, both salty and sweet, in sustaining connections between past, present, and not-yet-imagined futures.

By examining the role of water in the cultural production of these communities, Hey-Colon highlights the ways in which water enables individuals to transcend boundaries and connect with their heritage, while also exploring the potential for new forms of cultural expression and identity. Through her work, Hey-Colon encourages us to reimagine water as a catalyst for unity and collaboration rather than a source of division.

In conclusion, water holds the power to bridge divides and foster connections across different cultures and regions. In the case of the Caribbean and Latinx communities, water plays a significant role in reconnecting individuals to their past, present, and future. By embracing the interconnected view of water offered by Afro-diasporic religions, we can reimagine water as a catalyst for unity, collaboration, and cultural expression.

Weight: 666g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781477327241