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The Caribbean is a microcosm of the world's religions. In this very small geographic space one encounters global religions as well as indigenous religious practices--Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Santería, Vodou, and much more. Due to this diversity, introducing and describing the Caribbean religious context is difficult. The racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity of this region make brief introductions to Caribbean religions incapable of truly addressing its complex and diverse religious landscape. Too often Caribbean religion is studied through the lens of one discrete religious tradition or geographic setting.
The Oxford Handbook of Caribbean Religions offers a comprehensive overview of Caribbean religions, one that respects the diversity of the religious traditions and the national particularity of the region. Focusing on multiple geographic settings, this volume addresses the prominent religious traditions in the Caribbean by examining a cross-section of themes that impact the region and the academic study of Caribbean religion.
Opening with an overview of the multiple religions extant in the region, including some of the historical traditions that inform the contemporary context, the first section provides an overview of the history and beliefs found in the Caribbean. The second section discusses geographic-centered studies of numerous Caribbean nations. Finally, the third section brings numerous religious traditions in dialogue through thematic chapters that touch on the way religion has impacted the Caribbean beyond a traditional institutional focus.
List of contents
- Introduction
- Michelle A. Gonzalez
- Part I. Overview of Religious Traditions
- 1.Taíno Religion
- Anthony Stevens-Arroyo
- 2. Roman Catholicism
- Michelle A. Gonzalez
- 3. Protestant Colonial Christianity
- Carlos F. Cardoza-Orlandi
- 4. Protestant Modern Christianity
- Gaston Espinosa
- 5. Haitian Vodou
- Terry Rey
- 6. Santería
- Claudia Rauhut
- 7. Abakúa
- Ivor Miller
- 8. Palo, Las Reglas de Congo, Kongo Rule
- Todd Ramón Ochoa
- 9. The Rastafari
- Leslie G. Desmangles
- 10. Hinduism
- Freek L. Bakker
- 11. Judaism
- Leslie M. Desmangles
- 12. Islam
- Halima Sa'adia Kassim, Perry Polar
- 13. Revival Zion and Spiritual Baptists
- Carol B. Duncan
- 14. Orisha Religion
- James Houk
- 15. Espiritismo
- Reinaldo Román
- Part II. Caribbean Religions Throughout the Americas
- 16, Cuba
- Michelle A. Gonzalez
- 17. Haiti
- Terry Rey
- 18. Jamaica
- Delroy Reid Salmon
- 19. Trinidad and Tobago
- Maarit Forde
- 20. Puerto Rico
- Juan F. Caraballo-Resto
- 21. United States
- Miguel A. de la Torre
- Part III. Themes
- 22. Divination
- Laura S. Grillo
- 23. Gender
- Solimar Otero
- 24. Rituals
- Mary Ann Clark
- 25. Healing
- Funlayo E. Wood-Menzies
- 26. Spirit Possession
- Paul Johnson
- 27. Religion and Literature in the Colonial Spanish Caribbean
- Eugenio Matibag
- 28. Afro Cuban Religions in Cuban Literature: Archival Oralities of Culture
- Axel Presas
- 29. Caribbean Religious Art
- Kristine Juncker
- 30. Making Caribbean Religious Musiks
- Stephen Glazier
- 31. Material Religion
- Martin A. Tsang
- 32. Popular Culture and Caribbean Religions
- Edwin Davud Aponte
- 33. The Lukumí in Cyberspace
- Jeffrey M. Gonzalez
- 34. Food
- Elizabeth Pérez
- 35. Belief and the Cult of San Lázaro
- Elaine Penagos
- Index
About the author
Michelle Gonzalez Maldonado is Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Scranton. She received her Ph.D. in Systematic and Philosophical Theology at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. Her research and teaching interests include Latino/a, Latin American, and Feminist Theologies, as well as inter-disciplinary work in Afro-Caribbean Studies. She is the author of eight books including Afro-Cuban Theology: Religion, Race, Culture and Identity (2006) and A Critical Introduction to Religion in the Americas: Bridging the Liberation Theology and Religious Studies Divide (2014).
Summary
The Caribbean is a microcosm of the world's religions. In this very small geographic space one encounters global religions as well as indigenous religious practices--Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Santería, Vodou, and much more. Due to this diversity, introducing and describing the Caribbean religious context is difficult. The racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity of this region make brief introductions to Caribbean religions incapable of truly addressing its complex and diverse religious landscape. Too often Caribbean religion is studied through the lens of one discrete religious tradition or geographic setting.
The Oxford Handbook of Caribbean Religions offers a comprehensive overview of Caribbean religions, one that respects the diversity of the religious traditions and the national particularity of the region. Focusing on multiple geographic settings, this volume addresses the prominent religious traditions in the Caribbean by examining a cross-section of themes that impact the region and the academic study of Caribbean religion.
Opening with an overview of the multiple religions extant in the region, including some of the historical traditions that inform the contemporary context, the first section provides an overview of the history and beliefs found in the Caribbean. The second section discusses geographic-centered studies of numerous Caribbean nations. Finally, the third section brings numerous religious traditions in dialogue through thematic chapters that touch on the way religion has impacted the Caribbean beyond a traditional institutional focus.
