Afro-Cuban Religions and the Arts

A Dog Has Four Legs but Takes Only One Path

Inbunden, Engelska, 2024

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Afro-Cuban Religions and the Arts: A Dog Has Four LegsBut Takes Only One Path argues for an understanding of Afro-Cuban religions and Vodou through the arts, be it through music, the visual arts, film, or literature. This book examines the philosophical and spiritual facets of religions like Regla de Ocha, Palo, Abakuá, and Vodou, and how deeply embedded they are in Cuban popular culture. Cuban popular music, from son to salsa, timba to rap, offer reflections on Ocha, Palo, and Abakuá influences. Film and visual arts borrow allegory from Regla de Ocha and Palo beliefs. Myth and the Haitian Revolution is embedded throughout the work of Alejo Carpentier, Aimé Césaire, and Derek Walcott. This volume seeks to dialogue with the works of contemporary artists and Caribbean ancestors such as C.L.R. James, Wilson Harris, and Fernández-Retamar, in order to show the impacts that spiritualism, religious belief, and mythology have had on Afro-Cuban art.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum2024-12-20
Mått152 x 229 x 26 mm
Vikt584 g
FormatInbunden
SpråkEngelska
SerieBloomsbury Studies on Cuba
Antal sidor294
FörlagBloomsbury Publishing Plc
ISBN9781793639820

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AcknowledgmentsIntroduction: The Dogs of Myth, the Dogs of HistoryChapter 1: Don't Mess With the Saints: Afro-Cuban Religions and Popular Music, from María Teresa Vera to Hip HopChapter 2: "A River That Never Rests": Omar SosaChapter 3: Whistling into the Future with the Orishas: "Life is to Whistle"Chapter 4: Water, Crossroads and Diaspora: Magda Campos-PonsChapter 5: Crossroads of History and the Spirits: José BediaChapter 6: All That's Ideology Melts into Flesh: "Juan of the Dead" and Palero ResilienceChapter 7: The Haitian Revolution and Vodou: Myth, Muses and HistoryPostscript: A Dialogue with the DeadAppendix A: Regla de Ocha (Santeria)Appendix B: Reglas de PaloAppendix C: The AbakuáAppendix D: VodouAppendix E: Chart of Comparative Pantheons (Ocha-Palo-Abakuá-Catholic--Greek)Appendix F: Vodou Pantheon with Catholic Syncretisms Appendix G: Afro-Cuban Religious and Vodou Glossary of TermsBibliographyIndexAbout the Author

This is an exceptional book, beautifully written, and infused with deep spirituality and academic rigor. Alan West-Durán offers a comprehensive exploration of Afro-Cuban religions like Ocha, Palo, and Abakuá through the lenses of music, art, and film. He masterfully discusses how popular genres such as son, salsa, and rap reflect Afro-Cuban spirituality, analyzing songs that highlight faith, rituals, and cultural pride. Subsequent chapters study the work of distinguished artists like Omar Sosa, whose music brilliantly blends Afro-Cuban and global influences, and María Magdalena Campos-Pons, whose art powerfully engages with identity and orisha spirituality. Through insightful analyses of films by Fernando Pérez and artwork by José Bedia, the book skillfully examines representations of orisha archetypes and Cuban spiritual practices. It culminates with an insightful discussion of the Haitian Revolution and Vodou, offering a deep understanding of their lasting impact on both Haitian and Cuban cultural identity and social change. Afro-Cuban Religions and the Arts is an outstanding and illuminating work.