Difference between revisions of "African diaspora religion"

Jump to navigation Jump to search
no edit summary
 
(5 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 9: Line 9:
Afro-American religions tend to involve ancestor veneration and include a creator deity along with a pantheon of divine spirits such as the Orisha, Loa, Vodun, Nkisi, and Alusi, among others.
Afro-American religions tend to involve ancestor veneration and include a creator deity along with a pantheon of divine spirits such as the Orisha, Loa, Vodun, Nkisi, and Alusi, among others.


In addition to the religious syncretism of these traditions, many also incorporate elements of [[Christianity]], including reverence of Catholic [[saint]]s. Other major influences include: Native American religions, Spiritism, and [[shaman|Shamanism]] (sometimes including the use of [[recreational drug|entheogens]]).
In addition to the religious syncretism of these traditions, many also incorporate elements of [[Christianity]], including reverence of Catholic [[saint]]s. Other major influences include: Native American religions, [[Spiritualism|Spiritism]], and [[shaman|Shamanism]] (sometimes including the use of [[recreational drug|entheogens]]).


Various "doctoring" traditions also exist, such as Obeah and Hoodoo, which focus on spiritual health.
Various "doctoring" traditions also exist, such as Obeah and Hoodoo, which focus on spiritual health.
Line 41: Line 41:


===Criminalization and rebellions===
===Criminalization and rebellions===
[[File:Voodoo Altar.jpg|400px|thumb|Example of a typical voodoo altar]]
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.


Line 53: Line 54:


===Modern era===
===Modern era===
[[File:Voodoo Altar.jpg|400px|thumb|Example of a typical voodoo altar]]
[[File:Zé Pilintra Shrine.jpg|400px|thumb|Shrine to [[Zé Pilintra]] on the streets of Rio.]]
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.


Line 63: Line 64:
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.


==Partial list of African diaspora religions==
In Brazil, it is estimated around 1% of the population (2.2 million people) are devoted adherents to Afro-Brazilian religions, while as much as 20% of the population occasionally engages in traditional practices or participates in rituals.
 
==Examples of African diaspora religions==
===Caribbean===
===Caribbean===
* [[Voodoo]] (including Cuban Vodú, Haitian Vodou, Dominican Vudú, and Vodunu)
* [[Voodoo]] (including Cuban Vodú, Haitian Vodou, Dominican Vudú, and Vodunu)
* Santería
* [[Santería]]
* Rastafari
* Rastafari


===South America===
===South America===
* [[María Lionza]]
* [[María Lionza]]
* Candomblé
* [[Candomblé]]
* Quimbanda
* [[Quimbanda]]
* [[Umbanda]]
* Santo Daime
* Santo Daime
* Umbanda


[[Category:African diasporic religions]]
[[Category:African diasporic religions]]
[[Category:Featured Articles]]
[[Category:Featured Articles]]
[[Category:Religions]]
[[Category:Religions]]
[[Category:Awesome Articles]]

Navigation menu