<p>Formerly CIP. Uk Includes bibliographical references and index.</p>

Introduction -- Part I: African connections : historical roots of Afro-Caribbean religions. Yoruba, Fon-Ewe, Ashanti, and Kongo cultural history -- African cultus and functionaries -- Part II: Vodou : Haitian religion. Vodou and the Haitians' struggle -- Serving the lwa -- Part III: Santeria and Palo Monte : Cuban religion of the Orisha and drums. Caribbean Santeria -- Energy of the Ashe community and cultus -- Palo Monte Mayombe -- Part IV: Creole religions of the Southern Caribbean. Dancing to Orixas' axe in Candomble -- Umbanda and its antecedents -- Orisha powers: Creole religion in Trinidad and Tobago -- Part V: Jamaica's Creole religions : culture of resistance and rhythms. Obeah : magical art of resistance -- Myal and Kumina in Jamaica's past -- Poco, Zion and Convince -- The Rastafari chant.

Religion is one of the most important elements of Afro-Caribbean culture linking its people to their African past. From Haitian Vodou and Cuban Santeria - popular religions that have often been demonized in popular culture - to Rastafari in Jamaica and Orisha-Shango of Trinidad and Tobago. In "Afro-Caribbean Religions", Nathaniel Samuel Murrell provides a comprehensive study that respectfully traces the social, historical, and political contexts of these religions. And, because Brazil has the largest African population in the world outside of Africa, and has historic ties to the Caribbean, he includes a section on Candomble, Umbanda, Xango and Batique. This accessibly written introduction to Afro-Caribbean religions examines the cultural traditions and transformations of all of the African-derived religions of the Caribbean along with their cosmology, beliefs, cultic structures and ritual practices. Ideal for classroom use, "Afro-Caribbean Religions" also includes a glossary defining unfamiliar terms and identifying key figures.