Contemporary Perspectives on Religions in Africa and the African Diaspora

Maha Marouan, University of Alabama, USAAbioje P. O., University of Ilorin, NigeriaAdeboye Muhammed Akanbi Nurudeen, University of Ilorin, NigeriaRotimi Omotoye, University of Ilorin, NigeriaFrancis Olajide, Ekiti State University, NigeriaRotimi Omotoye, University of Ilorin, NigeriaAdepju Jhonson-Bashua, Lagos State University, NigeriaOguntola Laguda, Lagos State University, NigeriaCarolyn Medine, University of Georgia, USADavid Olali, Claremont Graduate University, USAKidogo Kennedy, University of Southern California, USAMelaine L. Harris, Texas Christian University, USARobert Y. Owusu, Clark Atlanta University, USADanielle Boaz, Drake University, USAYushau Sodiq, Texas Christian University, USA

'This a significant collection, which engages broad and significant issues regarding religion and religious practices. The editors are to be commended for bringing this number and variety of authors together around a subject still in need of examination.' - Jualynne E. Dodson, Professor, Department of Sociology and the Graduate Program in African American & African Studies, Michigan State University, USA 'This is welcome introduction to current research and critical analysis of the religious traditions in Africa and the African diaspora. The contributors note the historic, philosophical, socio-cultural, moral, and legal implications of religions rooted in African realities and their rich and varied groundings in the diaspora. This book will be a valuable tool for many, especially students of the new African diaspora who have to welcome and appreciate learning and 'singing [the divine message and song] in a strange land.' - Elias Kifon Bongmba, Harry and Hazel Chair in Christian Theology, Professor of Religion, and President of the African Association for the Study of Religion, Rice University, USA

• PART I: RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS IN AFRICA 1. African Religion (AFREL) General Issues; Ibigbolade Aderibigbe 2. African Religious Beliefs and Practices: Trends in World Religious Views; Maha Marouan 3. Christianity in Contemporary African Religious Space; Abioje P. O. 4. Islam and contemporary African Societies; Adeboye Muhammed Akanbi Nurudeen 5. Modern Trends in the Teaching of African Religion in the Twenty-first Century - Conceptual Decolonization; Rotimi Omotoye 6. African Religion in the 21st century: In search of Philosophical Relevance; Francis Olajide 7. African Religion and Health Care Delivery in Africa; Kelvin Onongha 8. Africa Religion and the Environment; Rotimi Omotoye 9. Divination, Spirit Possession and Healing among African Religious Movements; Adepju Jhonson-Bashua 10. Mythology of Rituals and Sacrifice among African Religious Movements in the Twenty-first Century; Oguntola Laguda PART II: AFRICAN-DERIVED RELIGIONS IN DIASPORA (THE AMERICAS) 11. Afro-Brazilian Religious Symbiosis: Origin, Transportation, Syncretic Beliefs and Practices; Atere 12. Arts and Music in African Derived Diaspora Religions; Okunade 13. Issues in Teaching African Diaspora Religions: The Double Consciousness; Carolyn Medine 14. Finding Homes in Foreign Lands: Initiation and Spirit possession in Santeria, Candomble, and Voudou; Ibigbolade Aderibigbe 15. Mythology of Rituals and Sacrifices in African-Derived Diaspora Religions; Osiei PART III: IMMIGRANTS AND MIGRATED RELIGIONS IN NORTH AMERICA 16. African (Yoruba) Religion (AFREL) Beliefs and Practices in a Selected Community in United States; David Olali and Kidogo Kennedy 17. Eyes Open (Creating) Womanist Discourse and Mascunity and the Questions of Socio-Religious Emancipation; Melaine L. Harris 18. African-Initiated Churches and African Immigrants in United States: A Model in The Redeemed Christian Church of God North America (RCCGNA); Ibigbolade Aderibigbe 19. Socio-Religious Agencies of Santeria Religion in United States; Robert Y. Owusu 20. Socio-Religious Dynamics of Voodoo Religion: Exploration of Legal Realities in a Voodoo Practicing Community in United States; Danielle Boaz 21. Islamic Communities in United States Issues of Religious and Socio-Political Identity; Yushau Sodiq