Yoruba Religion in the Americas

Paper Summary:

This paper looks at the practices of Yoruba African religions that have been transplanted in the Caribbean and then again into urban centers of North America. The two religions focused on are Santeria and Vodoun (also known as "Voodoo") and some of the basic aspects of their practice and function, as well as their stereotypes in western culture.

From the Paper:

"Most European-descended Americans will look at you blankly when you mention Yoruba religions or the Orisha, unless they've studied comparative religion or anthropology. But if you say "Santeria" they'll look a little more knowledgeable, perhaps suddenly bursting into song, repeating the chorus of a recent top-40 radio hit by the same name and maybe some vague awareness of "those tall candles at the gas station." Mention Voodoo and everyone says, "Oh yeah, dolls. Zombies," and maybe something about chicken sacrifice and possession. There is very little awareness of the actual beliefs and practices outside of those few things in mainstream America. Before doing any actual research, my awareness of these cultures was as limited as anyone else's, based on Hollywood and other fictional depictions of the practice of these religions, usually as something freaky or scary, heavily inundated with implications of evil and bloodshed."

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• Analytical Essay # 141387 : "Creolization in the Americas"
• Argumentative Essay # 89078 : "Religion in the Workplace"

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