Afro-Cuban religious transformation: A comparative study of Lucumi religion and the tradition of spirit belief.
Item
-
Title
-
Afro-Cuban religious transformation: A comparative study of Lucumi religion and the tradition of spirit belief.
-
Identifier
-
AAI9108151
-
identifier
-
9108151
-
Creator
-
Morales, Beatriz.
-
Contributor
-
Adviser: Jane Schneider
-
Date
-
1990
-
Language
-
English
-
Publisher
-
City University of New York.
-
Subject
-
American Studies | Black Studies | Religion, General
-
Abstract
-
This dissertation explores religious transformations in Cuba and the United States, specifically through comparing and contrasting the Afro-Cuban religions of Lucumi and the tradition of spirit belief. The Introduction outlines the theoretical framework of the dissertation, discussing in some depth the various methodological questions posed by previous anthropological research of religion in the Caribbean. The Introduction also includes a review of sources on Afro-Cuban religion. Chapter Two introduces Lucumi and the tradition of spirit belief. Here the ritual aspects of the religions are described, as well as the initiation processes. Also discussed are the deities and divination processes. This chapter also contains information from several deity-specific case studies which further illustrate the meaning of religion in peoples' daily lives and how it is used to empower and resist oppression. The discussion in Chapter Two should provide the reader with the necessary background information to apply to the subsequent examination of the historical development of these religions. Chapters Three through Seven discuss the history of Lucumi and the tradition of spirit belief both in Cuba, New York City, and New Orleans. Chapter Three contains extensive historical material about the early history of Africans in Cuba, underscoring the meaning of this period for the reemergence of the African religions in Cuba. Subsequent chapters explore further the inner workings of religious groups both in Cuba and the United States, and furthers the discussion of how religion is used to empower and aid in daily struggles against marginalization.
-
Type
-
dissertation
-
Source
-
PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
-
degree
-
Ph.D.
