Musiques et rites religieux de l'Afrique aux Amériques
Book Description
This illuminating exploration traces the profound spiritual journey of African religious traditions as they traveled across the Atlantic and evolved into vibrant new forms of sacred expression. Jean-Pierre Boistel examines how ancient rites from the Guinea coast of Africa transformed into powerful spiritual practices throughout the Americas, including Candomblé and Umbanda in Brazil, Santería and Palo Monte in Cuba, and Vaudou in Haiti and the United States.
The book reveals how descendants of enslaved peoples maintained deep connections to their ancestral roots while creating innovative expressions of faith through what the author describes as an ever-renewing and creative creolization. These spiritual traditions have proven as influential as Gospel music in the United States, demonstrating the enduring power of sacred practices to preserve identity and foster community.
Readers will discover how these religious expressions manifest not only in Caribbean musical traditions but also in contemporary artistic crossings that span jazz, Latin jazz, salsa, and world-jazz genres. The work draws upon research from Brazilian, Cuban, African-American, and African scholars and historians who continue to reconnect the threads of traditions and identities that were disrupted by the historical trauma of slavery and colonization.
This scholarly yet accessible study offers valuable insights for anyone seeking to understand how spiritual practices adapt, survive, and flourish across cultures and generations, revealing the remarkable resilience of human faith and creativity.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Short (< 200 pages) (~5 hours)
📄 Length: 192 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore African influences
- ✓ Explore Ethnomusicology
- ✓ Explore Trance music
- ✓ Explore Santeria
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects
- ✓ Explore Afro-Caribbean cults
- ✓ Explore Vodou
- ✓ Explore African diaspora
