Afro-Caribbean Religions: An Introduction to Their Historical, Cultural, and Sacred Traditions - Hardcover

Nathaniel Samuel Murrell

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 143990040X ISBN 13: 9781439900406

Publisher: Temple University Press,U.S., 2010

Synopsis

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.

About this title

Review:

"Afro-Caribbean Religions is an excellent book richly informative, well researched and organized. Murrell explains complex religions in accessible language, and successfully informs the reader about the contents and histories of the religions that are so respectfully presented here. It is truly an enjoyable read, and one learns new things on virtually every page. I would expect Afro-Caribbean Religions to receive an enthusiastic reception among students and professors alike for many years to come" --Dr. Terry Rey, Associate Professor and Chair of Religion at Temple University

About the Author:

Nathaniel Samuel Murrell is Associate Professor of Philosophy and Religion at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and the co-editor of Chanting Down Babylon: The Rastafari Reader (Temple).

About this edition

• Publisher: Temple University Press,U.S.
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 143990040X
• ISBN 13: 9781439900406
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 432
• Editor: Nathaniel Samuel Murrell