The unexpected path from an 'age old religion' to a 'new age religion'... Many African Religions came to the Americas in Slave Ships. Carried by the slaves themeslves. Sold or traded to colonists, throughout West Indies and the Americas.
Always there waiting for them, were the Mssionaries!
The Christian Missionaries' of Anglo, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, French, Dane and other flag nations, used subtle and too often not so suttle methods, to persuade these captives to be Christian. After much coaxing, The new arrivals' indifference gave way and grew into an understanding, as to how they might conjoin 'their' ways into 'Christian' ways... They did this by using 'name/action replacement, to give the impression of becoming more Christian... While establishing their own versions of their age old spiritual ways. they accomplished this by re-naming their own religious symbols, deities and practices to those of the Christians'. Predominently Roman Catholic!
They began using the images, names, dates, likes and dislikes of Catholic/Chhristian Saints' and Deities' as the names and dates of their own (African) Ethnic symbolic Saints, Warriors and Deities, etc.. They simply melded Christian names, titles and rituals to fit into their own rituals and beliefs, as needed. In turn, the Christian missionaries were elated, to say the least! Christians quickly forgave the seeming errors in the rituals that were being performed; Happy that Christianity was taking root... As time passed, more and more Saint's names' were used in the stead of Ethnic Spirits and deities. Rituals were done in a fashion to match Christian methods. These ethnic religions grew steadily (seemingly without interference) and now cohabit in many ways with other religions in many continents. That, if put together would rival the very size of Africa itself!
I find it both an extraordinary and fascinating development... A complete restructuring of an enslaved peoples' religion!
Re-invented by unrelated, transplanted slaves who must have felt quite hopeless as to future expectations.
A determined peoples' retaining their age old religions, and in an amasingly short period of time, created new age religions!
Now known as the "Afro-Caribbean Religions". Thus, becoming recognized Religions' worldwide; All due to the steadfast determination of imported slaves across the Caribbean, the Americas' and beyond!
What has become evident and I feel noteworthy; is the fact that the majority of all Afro-Caribbean Ethnic Religious' practitioners have developed a profoundly close intertwined relationship with the Catholic Church... Unknowingly, the missionaries' acceptance of their seeming conversion as a good thing some 5 centuries ago, has in fact proven to be the triumph they then celebrated! In many ways, Christianity and the Roman Catholic Church remains a major influence in the daily lives, rituals and beliefs of their' descendants to this day!
Please feel free to post any questions or comments that you might have, In complete confidence! Who knows you might be onto something that could help others in similar situations.
All Comminications will be kept striclty confidential if requested! Only first names, initials or given 'nicknames' will be published as the composer, if publication is granted. No E-mail addresses will ever be published, under any curcumstances! You have my word on this!
PLEASE NOTE: THIS BLOG IS FOR CLIENTS AND FRIENDS OF THE AFRO-CARIBBEAN RELIGIONS TO RELATE THEIR' CONCERNS AND/OR CONFIDENCES.... NOT FOR ADVERTISEMENT BY OTHER BUSINESS'
OR AD'S FOR PROFIT BY SAME! THIS RULE APPLIES TO ALL /ANY "FOR PROFIT" ENTERPRISES!.
Jayar, REVISED 02/04/2016
info@jrbotanica.com
RSS Feed