1. Afro-Caribbean Spiritualities Many linguistic and religious traditions in Africa Dahomean (from Dahomey) Nigeria and Benin Yoruban (from Yoruba) “Slave Coast”

2. Historical Precursors African Religions Dahomean Spiritual Hierarchy: –Nana-Buluku –Mawu-Lisa –Da –Vodou (gods) Legba (intermediary) Sakpata (earth) Sogbo (sky) Agbe (water)

3. Historical Precursors Dahomean hierarchy, continued: –Nature Spirits –Ancestors –Humans Ancestral soul Personal soul Divine soul –Animals –Objects

4. Historical Precursors The Slave Trade Native American: –Arawak –Ciboney –Population on Haiti 60,000 in 1508, 500 in 1548 –Population on Cuba 60,000 in 1492, 1500 in 1550 –Smudging, herbal lore European Undesireables: –Jews, Muslims, Moors, “Heretics,” Ladinos –Folk traditions Racial Slavery “Indians Punished” 1532

5. The Slave Trade The African Trade Haiti: –1515-1730: 200 slaves per year –1730-1792: 13,000 slaves per year Cuba: –1511-1788: 360 slaves per year –1781-1865: 7,000 slaves per year Slaves on the Middle Passage

6. The Slave Trade Slavery Experience: –Mostly male –8-10% died during “Middle Passage” –8-10% died per year on plantations –‘Breeding’ slaves a U.S. phenomenon –Female slaves after 1840 in Cuba “Punishing Slaves in Cuba” 1860’s

7. Impact of Slave Trade Changes to belief & ritual structure of African religions –Nature Spirituality lost –Ancestor worship lost –New level of cosmos conceptualized: Ginen –New Vodou (lwas) discovered – angry deities Changes to system of transmission of beliefs –Old ways: 1) inheritance 2) childbirth 3) illness –New ways: adoption via initiation into lineage

8. Historical influences in the New World

9. Forced Christianization Africans had no “true” religion Conversion would make slaves accept their fate as part of God’s plan Code Noir 1685 Revisions to Code Noir mid-18 th c.: –slaves cannot congregate except in presence of priest –Penalties for violation: branding, whipping, death –Slave owners who allow their slaves to congregate fined 100 gold crowns; second offence could be punished with life imprisonment on slave galley ships Caption (translated): Exorcism-Baptism of the Negroes.

10. Slave Catechism Who is the principal slave of Satan'? – the principal slave of Satan is the houngan [vodou priest]. What are the names given by houngan to Satan? – The names given to Satan by houngan are loas [the term for the gods], angels, saints morts [venerated ancestors], and marass [the divine twins]. Why do houngan give Satan the names of angels, saints, and morts? – Houngan call Satan after saints, angels and morts in order to deceive us more easily. How do men serve Satan'? – In sinning, casting spells, practicing magic, giving food- offerings, worshipping les anges, worshipping marassa. Are we allowed to mingle with the slaves of Satan? – No, because they are evil-doers; like Satan himself they are liars.” “Negro prayer meeting” 19th c.

11. Folk Catholicism Official Catholicism: –Baptism –confirmation –matrimony –extreme unction –Eucharist –penance –holy orders The Seven African Powers

12. Folk Catholicism Independent of Church control Cult of Personages (Cult of Saints) including Mary & Jesus God in places, objects: candles, statues, relics God in everyday life: feasts, prayer without priestly intercession could bring God’s aid Public religion – processions, feast days Emphasis on death (martyrdom) Focus on religious value of weak and downtrodden "an old-time midnight slave funeral” 1881

13. Haitian Revolution August 22, 1791 Ratio of slaves:owners = 100:1 Large numbers of escaped slaves Boukman Francois L’Overture Jean-Jacques Dessalines Republic of Haiti Nov. 28, 1803 - 70,000 Haitians, 70,000 french soldiers dead

14. Haitian Revolution Significance: Republic of Haiti without Official Catholic influence for about 50 years – room for Vodou to flourish 1791—1803, Fleeing Slave-owners go to Cuba – bring Vodou with slaves to Cuba 1809 – banished from Cuba, Slave-owners go to Louisiana – bring Vodou to New Orleans Jean-Jacques Dessalines

15. Spiritism Allan Kardec (Hyppolyte Leon Denizard Rivail) Investigation into Spiritualism The Spirits’ Book (1857) 3 types of souls: recently dead & impure souls; reincarnated human souls; evolved spirits of light Many worlds of beings: earth is 3 rd world; spirits of light are on 7 th and highest world God is distant from human concerns; spirits of light are closer to us, and help us Karma governs reincarnation

16. Spiritism Communication via mediumship with spirits Spirits of recently dead can communicate with us and help us Ancestors, friends speak via spirits of light who possess mediums - blends seamlessly with African emphasis on ancestors and gods/lwas Spiritist services are called Misa: they are seances with possession trance, messages from the dead - become major way Vodou practitioners communicate with ancestors and/or divine