Obeah, Orisa, and Religious Identity in Trinidad, Volume II, Orisa: Africana Nations and the Power of Black Sacred Imagination

Obeah,Orisa,and Religious Identity in Trinidad explores the criminalization of Obeah and Yoruba-Orisa religions during slavery and colonialism, demonstrating autonomous modes of expression and self-defense. Volume II examines the West African heritage and religious imagination of Yoruba-Orisa devotees in Trinidad, exploring their meaning-making traditions in the wake of slavery and colonialism.

Format: Hardback
Length: 368 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. In this insightful work, Tracey E. Hucks and Dianne M. Stewart meticulously analyze the intricate histories and systems of devotion of these religions, shedding light on how they were criminalized during slavery and colonialism yet managed to maintain autonomous modes of expression and self-defense.

In Volume II, Orisa, Stewart delves into the rich West African heritage and religious imagination of Yoruba-Orisa devotees in Trinidad, examining their meaning-making traditions in the aftermath of slavery and colonialism. She explores key historical periods such as nineteenth-century liberated African resettlement, the twentieth-century Black Power movement, and subsequent campaigns for religious freedom in Trinidad. By challenging syncretism frameworks, Stewart uncovers the significance of Africa as a religious symbol and the prominence of Africana nations and religious nationalisms in shaping black belonging and identity formation, particularly among Orisa mothers.

This groundbreaking study contributes to global womanist thought and activism by unveiling the full range of affective, hermeneutic, and political capacities of black religious imaginations. Yoruba-Orisa spiritual mothers play a vital role in this exploration, revealing the depth and richness of the black religious world. Through their experiences and practices, they offer a profound understanding of the complexities and nuances of religious identity and its role in shaping societies.

Overall, Obeah, Orisa, and Religious Identity in Trinidad is a groundbreaking work that sheds light on the enduring legacy of these religions in Trinidad and their profound impact on the lives of their devotees. It is a must-read for scholars, activists, and anyone interested in exploring the intersection of religion, culture, and identity in the African diaspora.

Weight: 658g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781478013921