Circuits of the Sacred: A Faggotology in the Black Latinx Caribbean

Carlos Ulises Decena's book, Circuits of the Sacred, explores transnational black Latinx Caribbean immigrant queer life and spirit through a faggotology that connects the erotic with the divine. It combines theoretical analysis, memoir, creative writing, and ethnography of Santería/Lucumí to map the itineraries of blackness as a "circuit," a multipronged and multisensorial field. Decena's study is a feminist pilgrimage and conversation with the dead that transforms the academic monograph into a gathering of stories, theoretical innovation, and expressive praxis.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 03 February 2023
Publisher: Duke University Press

In his groundbreaking work, Circuits of the Sacred, Carlos Ulises Decena delves deep into the intricate tapestry of transnational black Latinx Caribbean immigrant queer life and spirit. Through his innovative concept of "faggotology," Decena establishes a foundational framework for queer black critical and expressive praxis, drawing upon the eroticism inherent in the divine, particularly in the margins and excesses of society. By employing a diverse range of methodologies, including theoretical analysis, memoir, creative writing, and ethnography of Santería/Lucumí in Santo Domingo, Havana, and New Jersey, Decena skillfully weaves together languages, locations, pronouns, and genres to create a captivating map of blackness as a multifaceted and multisensory "circuit." This feminist pilgrimage, interwoven with an extended conversation with the dead, transforms Decena's study into a rich tapestry of stories, theoretical innovations, and expressive practices that channel the voices, ancestors, deities, theorists, artists, and spirits from the perspective of radical feminism and queer-of-color thinking.

Decena's exploration of faggotology offers a profound reimagining of the academic monograph, transforming it into a vibrant gathering of stories, theoretical insights, and artistic expressions. By intertwining feminist pilgrimage and dialogue with the dead, he creates a space where voices from marginalized communities are heard, honored, and given agency. Through his meticulous research and captivating storytelling, Decena invites readers to embark on a transformative journey that challenges conventional notions of identity, gender, and sexuality. Circuits of the Sacred serves as a testament to the power of interdisciplinary scholarship and the ability of art to shape our understanding of the world.

Weight: 445g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781478019442