Creole Religions of the Caribbean, Third Edition: An Introduction

Creole Religions of the Caribbean provides an updated introduction to the religions developed in the Caribbean region as a result of creolization, tracing the historical-cultural origins of major Creole religions and newer traditions, and considering the impact of the diaspora on US Latinx communities.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 01 August 2022
Publisher: New York University Press

Creole Religions of the Caribbean presents a comprehensive exploration of the diverse religions that have emerged through the process of creolization. The Caribbean peoples, influenced by European colonizers, African religious and healing traditions, and remnants of Amerindian practices, crafted unique belief systems. This rich tapestry includes Vodou, Santería, Regla de Palo, the Abakuá Secret Society, Obeah, Quimbois, and Espiritismo, among others. The book delves into the historical and cultural roots of these major Creole religions, as well as newer traditions such as Rastafari. In this third edition, the scholarship is enriched by incorporating new critical approaches, such as queer studies, environmental studies, and diasporic studies. Moreover, the regional scope is expanded to include the US Latinx communities influenced by Creole spiritual practices, considering the growing importance of material culture, art, music, literature, and healing practices shaped by these religions.

Creole Religions of the Caribbean offers a comprehensive introduction to the overlapping religions that have developed as a result of the creolization process. 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. From Vodou, Santería, Regla de Palo, the Abakuá 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 Rastafari.

This third edition updates the scholarship by featuring new critical approaches that have been brought to bear on the study of religion, such as queer studies, environmental studies, and diasporic studies. The third edition also expands the regional considerations of the diaspora to the US Latinx communities that are influenced by Creole spiritual practices, taking into account the increased significance of material culture?art, music, literature, and healing practices influenced by Creole religions.

Weight: 594g
Dimension: 228 x 153 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781479803484