Since the late fifteenth century and the rise of the Caribbean sugarcane plantations, Creole religions and creolization have been practices that carry a great deal of power and emotion but have often been very difficult to define because these practices are often misrepresented and negatively stereotyped by society. By ignoring or failing to look past these misrepresentations, society is snubbing religions that are still thriving in the United States and other countries. The main tenets of these religions are to heal and enlighten the lives of their followers. As Joseph Murphy notes in his foreword to this text, “Creole religions are inspired constructions of symbols out of wide experience and often deep hardship. The men and women who built the Creole religions portrayed here were forced by terrible circumstances to create healing systems” (xiii). This text centers around the belief that the Creole religions--Vodou, Santería, Obeah, Rastafarianism, and Espiritismo--are positive, beneficial religions that still have a strong foothold in the Caribbean as well as the United States.

In their text, Margarite Olmos and Lizabeth Paravisini-Gebert present an academic purpose for studying and interpreting Creole religions. The authors assert that their text “is intended as a comprehensive introduction to the creolized, African-based religions that developed in the wake of European colonization,” in an attempt to dispel the negative misrepresentations of these religions and offer scholars and students an in-depth examination of the true nature of these religions (2). The authors limit the scope of their research to the historical and current-day impact on the Caribbean region of the five main spiritual practices listed in the first paragraph of this review. The text also examines the dispersion, or Diaspora, of these religions throughout the United States. The authors build upon and rework current scholarship on creolization and Diaspora of the Creole religions covered in this book, showing that creolization and Creole religions are somewhat fluid in the sense that they can adapt and change to meet the needs of the individuals who practice these religions. The authors’ purpose is simple and straightforward: to give credence to the study of Creole religions and also to firmly connect this area of scholarship to the broader fields of religious studies and cultural studies. The authors have created a primer of sorts to help both scholars and students understand and appreciate the five major Creole religions presented and the historical and contemporary influences these religions have had on society.

The text is broken down into seven main chapters and includes prefaces to the first and second editions of the text, a foreword written by Joseph M. Murphy, an introduction, a glossary, a notes section, a works cited, and an index. The authors’ introduction sets the tone for the rest of their work by laying out their purpose and their beliefs. The introduction also presents an engaging historical framework for the Creole religions and the creolization process that is discussed in more depth in the following chapters. Also present in the introduction is an explanation and discussion of key terms, such as creolization, syncretism, and diasporan religions, which are essential to understanding the discussions presented in later chapters. The first of the seven main chapters examines the history of the colonization of the Caribbean islands by Spain, England, France, and Portugal, and the boom of the large sugar plantations. More specifically, this chapter illuminates the effect the large influx of slaves and the fragmentation of their cultural and linguistic patterns caused by their displacement had on their religions. The time period covered in this chapter is from the end of the fifteenth century to the start of the twentieth century. Chapters 2 through 7 each focus on one of the different major Creole religions or the dispersion of the religion to other countries. These chapters present a well-thought-out, engaging, and thought-provoking discussion of the history of each religion, the basic religious principles and rituals of each religion, the key religious figures for each religion, and the influence each religion has had on specific cultures. The inclusion of a glossary makes this text even easier to use because it eliminates the need to search elsewhere to define various terms.

Olmos’ and Paravisini-Gebert’s text is a truly indispensable book for scholars, students, and amateur enthusiasts alike. While mainly focusing on Vodou, Santería, Obeah, Rastafarianism, and Espiritismo, the authors present an enlightening text that shows how much influence historical events and cultural stigmas can have on different religions. This text successfully dispels the misrepresentations and negative stereotypes societies throughout history have placed on these religions. The authors provide a great deal of research and analysis that is sure to aid both scholars and enthusiasts.

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[Review length: 774 words • Review posted on October 18, 2012]