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Difference between revisions of "African diaspora religion"
African diaspora religion (view source)
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[[File:Maria-Lionza-Ritual.png| | [[File:Maria-Lionza-Ritual.png|400px|thumb|Ritual being undertaken by followers of [[Maria Lionza]].]] | ||
'''African diaspora religion''', also described as '''Afro-American religions''', are a number of related beliefs that developed in the Americas as a result of the Atlantic Slave Trade. | '''African diaspora religion''', also described as '''Afro-American religions''', are a number of related beliefs that developed in the Americas as a result of the Atlantic Slave Trade. | ||
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==Practices== | ==Practices== | ||
[[File:Voodoo Dolls.jpg|400px|thumb|Two voodoo dolls, wrapped for protection as a form of gris-gris]] | |||
Devotees honor spirits and deities through offerings such as flowers, foods, and alcohol as well as through prayers and rituals. They communicate with these entities using [[channeling|mediumship]] and possession. | Devotees honor spirits and deities through offerings such as flowers, foods, and alcohol as well as through prayers and rituals. They communicate with these entities using [[channeling|mediumship]] and possession. | ||
However, some belief systems are more transactional, with individual clients only going to priests/practitioners for [[divination]] and [[ritual magic|rituals]] to correct a problem or to create a path for growth and opportunity. | However, some belief systems are more transactional, with individual clients only going to priests/practitioners for [[divination]] and [[ritual magic|rituals]] to correct a problem or to create a path for growth and opportunity. | ||
[[Amulet]]s and [[talisman]]s are often important artifacts used by worshippers in their daily lives. For example, [[Ngongo Lutete]], a soldier who fought for the Congo Free State wore a necklace which prevented him from being exectued. | |||
Others are also communal, and have ceremonies and festivals that include singing, drumming, and dancing. | Others are also communal, and have ceremonies and festivals that include singing, drumming, and dancing. | ||
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Colonial elites disapproved of African traditions and introduced laws to prohibit them, using the term ''Obeah'' as a general label for these practices. Fearing that Obeah practitioners might incite rebellions, European authorities increasingly saw Obeah as a threat to the stability on their plantations and criminalised it. | Colonial elites disapproved of African traditions and introduced laws to prohibit them, using the term ''Obeah'' as a general label for these practices. Fearing that Obeah practitioners might incite rebellions, European authorities increasingly saw Obeah as a threat to the stability on their plantations and criminalised it. | ||
In 1733, Governor Philip Gardelin issued a clause to the Danish West Indian slave code proscribing various ritual practices. Early Jamaican laws against Obeah reflected Christian theological viewpoints, characterising it as "pretending to have communication with [[the | In 1733, Governor Philip Gardelin issued a clause to the Danish West Indian slave code proscribing various ritual practices. Early Jamaican laws against Obeah reflected Christian theological viewpoints, characterising it as "pretending to have communication with [[the Devil]]" or "assuming the art of [[witchcraft]]." | ||
During Tacky's War, a widespread slave rebellion in the British colony of Jamaica which lasted from 7 April 1760 to 1761, its leader consulted a [[shaman]] who prepared a substance that would make the rebelling slaves immune to bullets, thereby boosting their confidence in executing the rebellion. | During Tacky's War, a widespread slave rebellion in the British colony of Jamaica which lasted from 7 April 1760 to 1761, its leader consulted a [[shaman]] who prepared a substance that would make the rebelling slaves immune to bullets, thereby boosting their confidence in executing the rebellion. | ||
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===Modern era=== | ===Modern era=== | ||
[[File:Voodoo Altar.jpg|400px|thumb|Example of a typical voodoo altar]] | |||
Historical persecution of African religions has resurfaced in the 21st century in the form of both state and private discrimination. As extremist sects of Evangelical [[Christianity]] gain more influence in the Americas, these groups focus on attacking African diaspora religious communities. Most of this physical violence has occurred in Haiti and Brazil, although the Brazilian government has made some effort to combat violence against Afro-Brazilian religions, despite the government officials themselves being complicit in these attacks. | Historical persecution of African religions has resurfaced in the 21st century in the form of both state and private discrimination. As extremist sects of Evangelical [[Christianity]] gain more influence in the Americas, these groups focus on attacking African diaspora religious communities. Most of this physical violence has occurred in Haiti and Brazil, although the Brazilian government has made some effort to combat violence against Afro-Brazilian religions, despite the government officials themselves being complicit in these attacks. | ||
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==Partial list of African diaspora religions== | ==Partial list of African diaspora religions== | ||
There are numerous African diaspora religions and their practices vary widely from country to country and religion to religion. These religions are extreme minorities in the Americas, with official populations often too small to be featured on the national census. | There are numerous African diaspora religions and their practices vary widely from country to country and religion to religion. These religions are extreme minorities in the Americas, with official populations often too small to be featured on the national census. | ||
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[[Category:African diasporic religions]] | [[Category:African diasporic religions]] | ||
[[Category:Featured Articles]] | |||
[[Category:Religions]] | |||