Chapter 5

Karenga
Black Religion
AAS 2320 Fall 2009
Black Religion

• Judeo Christian
• Islam
• Black Hebrew
• Rastafarian
• Yoruba
• Santeria (Cuba, Puerto Rico)
• Condomble (Brazil)
• Maatian
Black Religion
Characteristics of African Religions
• Monotheistic
• Daily interactions with divinities
• Ancestor veneration; honoring dead ancestors
• Respect for nature
• Balance between member of collective
group and responsibility as individual.
• Death seen as another stage in human
development.
Black Religion
• Christianity by Europeans to dominate
enslaved
• Deprived Africans of own religion
• Control and monitor behavior
Black Religion
• Historical Role of the Black Church
• Spiritual sanctuary
• Social reconstruction
• Center for economic cooperation
• Educational projects
• Social change and struggle
▫ Provided leaders
▫ Provided leadership for Black liberation
Black Religion
• Read pages 265 to 285
• Answer questions 6-17
▫ Suggestions:
 Work in small groups
 Divide questions evenly and assign
 Research assigned questions
 Present as group (slides not required)
 Turn in individual work (cover page, double-spaced,
manila envelope)
• Responsible for knowing answers to all
questions, 6-17
• Paraphrase from text only; use own words