This volume traces the social, historical, and political contexts of those religions of the Caribbean that harken back to African roots. It examines the cultural traditions and transformations of every African-derived religion of the Caribbean, along with its cosmology, beliefs, cultic structures, and ritual practices.

Introduction -- Part I: African connections : historical roots of Afro-Caribbean religions. Yoruba, Fon-Ewe, Ashanti, and Kongo cultural history -- African cultus and functionaries -- Part II: Vodou : Haitian religion. Vodou and the Haitians' struggle -- Serving the lwa -- Part III: Santeria and Palo Monte : Cuban religion of the Orisha and drums. Caribbean Santeria -- Energy of the Ashe community and cultus -- Palo Monte Mayombe -- Part IV: Creole religions of the Southern Caribbean. Dancing to Orixas' axe in Candomble -- Umbanda and its antecedents -- Orisha powers: Creole religion in Trinidad and Tobago -- Part V: Jamaica's Creole religions : culture of resistance and rhythms. Obeah : magical art of resistance -- Myal and Kumina in Jamaica's past -- Poco, Zion and Convince -- The Rastafari chant.