Obeah, Orisa, and Religious Identity in Trinidad, Volume I, Obeah: Africans in the White Colonial Imagination

Obeah,Orisa,and Religious Identity in Trinidad explores the criminalization of Obeah and Yoruba-Orisa religions during slavery and colonialism, revealing their autonomous modes of expression and self-defense. Volume I documents the persecution and violent penalization of African religious practices, while Volume II explores the cult of antiblack fixation and the legal vindication of accused practitioners.

Format: Hardback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 27 September 2022
Publisher: Duke University Press

Obeah, Orisa, and Religious Identity in Trinidad is a comprehensive two-volume exploration of social imaginaries surrounding Obeah and Yoruba-Orisa from colonialism to the present. By examining their intertwined histories and systems of devotion, Tracey E. Hucks and Dianne M. Stewart elucidate how these religions were criminalized during slavery and colonialism yet still exhibited autonomous modes of expression and self-defense.

In Volume I, Obeah, Hucks delves into the history of African religious repression in colonial Trinidad, spanning from the late nineteenth century to the early twentieth century. Drawing upon a diverse range of sources, including colonial records, laws, legal transcripts, travel diaries, literary fiction, and written correspondence, she documents the persecution and violent penalization of African religious practices classified as "obeah." A cult of antiblack fixation emerged among white settlers, who perceived Obeah as terrifying African witchcraft. These preoccupations exposed the fears that united whites. Simultaneously, individuals accused of obeah sought legal vindication and employed their own spiritual and medicinal technologies to strengthen the cultural legacies, religious identities, and life systems of African-diasporic communities in Trinidad.

In Volume II, Orisa, Hucks explores the multifaceted nature of Orisa worship in Trinidad and Tobago. Drawing on a wide array of sources, including oral traditions, religious texts, interviews, and fieldwork, she documents the diverse practices, beliefs, and rituals associated with Orisa. Hucks highlights the ways in which Orisa worship has evolved over time, adapting to changing social and cultural contexts while maintaining its core essence. She also explores the role of Orisa in shaping Trinidadian and Tobagonian identities, as well as the ways in which it intersects with other religious and cultural traditions.

Overall, Obeah, Orisa, and Religious Identity in Trinidad provides a rich and nuanced understanding of the complex relationship between religion, colonialism, and social identity in Trinidad and Tobago. Through its detailed analysis of Obeah and Orisa, the book sheds light on the ways in which these religions have been both marginalized and resilient, and it offers valuable insights into the ongoing struggles for religious freedom and cultural preservation in the region.

Weight: 544g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781478013914