Syncretic African Religions

In the Americas

Syncretism is a term meaning “combining”

It is an attempt to reconcile contrary beliefs.

The melding of practices from various schools of thought.

The merging of several distinctly different traditions

Especially dealing with theology or mythology of religions

Syncretic African Religions

In the Americas

EXAMPLES IN THE AMERICAS

Afro-Brazilian Candomble

Afro-Caribbean Santeria

Haitian Vodou

Louisiana Voodoo

Syncretic African Religions

and the African Diaspora

to the Americas

Yoruba, Ewe & Fon

people from regions

of West Africa

were transported to

the America’s as

Slaves

Louisiana

Cuba

Haiti

Brazil

Religious Traditions originating in

Western Africa

• Olodumare was the Divine Creator

• Aye was the physical realm of all living things

• Orun-Rene was the spiritual realm of the creator

Orisha

• Intermediaries between man

and the divine creator

• Anamistic entities with control

over specific elements in nature

• Sometimes considered to be

demi-gods or deities

Fetish Market in Togo

• Talismans were known as fetishes

• Usually objects such as statues

or dried animal parts

• Believed to have spiritual healing

properties

• Animal sacrifices used to show

respect or appreciation to Gods

Religious Traditions originating in

Western Africa

• Botano were Sorcerers & Sorceresses

• Cast spells on enemies on behalf of supplicants

• Called upon spirits to bring misfortune or harm

to a person or group

Native Arawak (Taino) Village in Cuba

Native Yoruba Village in Africa

African Diaspora

to the Americas

Caused

Cultural Blending

• African slaves & Native American

Indios shared common cultural

characteristics

Agrarian based economy

Clan or Kinship groups

Similar Village structures

Syncretic African Religions

In the Americas (Mid-16th Century)

Santeria (Cuba & Puerto Rico)

• Slaves imported to work the Sugar

Plantations

Candomble (Brazil)

• Slaves imported to work the Silver

Mines and Sugar/Tobacco Plantations

• Slaves in both areas mixed their cultural traditions with the Native Indians

• Colonial Spanish & Portuguese laws forbid slaves from practicing animistic beliefs

• Slaves were forced by the church to be baptized and to worship the Catholic God

• Slaves disguised their beliefs in Orishas by adopting the names of Catholic Saints

• Eventually slaves became overly devoted to the celebrations of the saints

• Colonial officials gave the seemingly over-devoted slaves the terms Santeria and

Candomble to mock them

• People of the Saints

Syncretic African Religions

In the Americas (Mid-16th Century)

Santeria (Cuba & Puerto Rico) and Candomble (Brazil)

• Religions were based on oral traditions

• Priests and Priestesses learn dances, songs, and healing methods

• Ritual sacrifices (usually chickens) are believed to please God & the Saints

• Sacrifices and the use of charms and herbs are believed to bring good luck,

purification, and forgiveness of sins

• Rhythmic sounds and feverish dancing are believed to lead to spiritual

possession

• Family ancestors are prayed to for moral guidance and examples for life

• Olodumare is the supreme God (Creator of Heaven, Earth & the Universe)

• Orishas are the lesser deities in the form of Catholic Saints

Syncretic African Religions

In the Americas (Mid-16th Century)

Santeria (Cuba & Puerto Rico) and Candomble (Brazil)

Santeria Alter in Latin America utilizes both Christian & African Talismans and Statues of Saints

• Adoption of Catholic Saints caused

Increased mixing of religious practices

• Rituals often occur on the particular holiday

of each saint

• Members often attend traditional Catholic

services

Syncretic African Religions

In the Americas (Early 17th Century)

Haitian Vodou Louisiana Voodoo

• Slaves from Ghana & Benin were imported to work Sugar/Tobacco Plantations

• Religions based on oral traditions brought from Africa

• Primary Emphasis on spirits of ancestors and respect for family elders

• Each clan / family has a specialized priests or priestess (sorcerer / soceress)

• Use of herbs, poisons, and ritual charms & amulets intended to protect one’s self

or harm one’s enemies

• Animal sacrifice (usually chickens) is common to show respect or thankfulness

to the God(s)

• Nana Buluku is the supreme God (Creator of Heaven, Earth & the Universe)

• Orishas are the lesser deities in the form of Catholic Saints

Syncretic African Religions

In the Americas (Early 17th Century)

Haitian Vodou

• French authorities attempted to

suppress Vodou practices

• African slaves disguised their traditions

in Roman Catholic practices

• Voodoo Orishas were renamed using

Roman Catholic Saints

• Catholic missionaries continued efforts

to fully convert African slaves

• Catholic authorities labeled Vodou as

evil or “Black Magic”

• Constant efforts to suppress Vodou

may have influenced Haitian Revolution

Louisiana Voodoo

• French passed laws prohibiting the

separation of slave family members

• A distinct French-Creole culture

evolved from inter-marriages

• Voodoo Orishas were eventually

connected to Roman Catholic Saints

• Voodoo incorporated traditional

Catholic practices

Hail Mary & Lord’s Prayer

Baptism & Sign of the Cross

• Voodoo Queens presided over rituals

and administered herbs & charms

Voodoo Queen Marie Leveau

• Devote Catholic (Baptized)

• Attended Mass Daily

• Facilitated adoption of Catholicism

Syncretic African Religions

In the Americas (Early 17th Century)

Voodoo Alters in Louisiana

often include both Christian

& African Talismans & Statues,

Herbs and Personal belongings

of family members or ancestors