An absent history: the marks of Africa on Puerto Rican popular Catholicism

Date of Award

2017

Degree Name

M.A. in Theological Studies

Department

Department of Religious Studies

Advisor/Chair

Advisor: Neomi De Anda

Abstract

Throughout Puerto Rico's history there has existed both an explicit and persistent implicit denial of African history, culture, and religiosity. Such denial, initiated by Spanish blood purity ideologies and continued by U.S. American hegemony, has resulted in the othering" of African religious expression, which has yet to be fully embraced by society at-large and by ecclesiastical structures. Instead African religious expression has been integrated into the popular practices of the common class. Informed by this background, this research explores popular Catholic practices of African inheritance in Puerto Rico, examining their history, meaning, and potential contribution for the theological community."

Keywords

Catholic Church Puerto Rico, Africans Puerto Rico, African diaspora, Puerto Rico Religious life and customs, Religion, Religious History, Spirituality, Theology, Latin American History, Latin American Studies, Catholicism, Puerto Rico, Puerto Rican, Afro-Puerto Rican, Popular Catholicism, Baquine, Bomba, Racism, African

Rights Statement

Copyright © 2017, author

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