Sacred Spirits: Tracing African Spirituality in the Diaspora

by

and

April 20, 2025

It is incredibly remarkable that despite the hardships of the slave trade, African spiritual practices endured stood the test of time, and were faithfully preserved and passed down through generations. There are many religions that stand as powerful testaments to the deliberate efforts that African diasporic communities took to maintain and adapt their rich cultural and religious heritage.

Common African Roots

The Yoruba people of present-day Nigeria and Benin played a significant role in structuring these religions. Their collection of deities, known as orishas in Yoruba, became principal figures in Santería and Candomblé. In Voodoo, similar spirits exist but are called Iva or Loas.

In these religions, ancestor worship is fundamental. Rituals often include offerings, prayers, and music to communicate with the spirits of the dead, which are believed to influence the living. These rituals usually involve trance states, where practitioners become possessed by deities or spirits, allowing divine communication.

Sacred activities such as drumming and dance play very essential roles in invoking spirits. Different dance patterns, drum beats, and rhythms correspond to specific spiritual energies and deities.

Enslaved Africans adapted their religious practices by disguising their deities as Catholic saints This allowed practitioners to worship their deities openly without direct persecution from colonial authorities.

Voodoo

Voodoo, also Known as Vodou originated among the Von and Ewe people of present-day Benin and Togo. It was then carried to Haiti and the Gulf Coast (Louisiana Region). Their spiritual ancestors came together with their African roots and with a pact to work with each other in order for their children to evolve. When enslaved African people were brought to the Americas, they carried their spiritual traditions with them, blending them with indigenous beliefs and elements of Catholicism. At its core, Voodoo is a spiritual system that connects the physical and spiritual world, working with the elements and also with spirits or “Loas.”

Practitioners believe in a Supreme creator, often called Bondyé who is distant and unknowable. Instead, they work with intermediary spirits known as Iva or Loas. These spirits govern different aspects of life like love, health and justice, and are honored through rituals and songs, dances and offerings. Each Spirit has a unique personality, preferences and symbols.

It is strongly influenced by the Fon and Kongo traditions. Practitioners communicate with spirits through a hierarchal system of priests (Houngans) and Priestesses (Mambos)

Voodoo ceremonies are deeply symbolic. Drumming, chanting and dancing are used to invoke spirits, creating a sacred space where spiritual and physical realms intersect. During these rituals, practitioners may enter a trance state, allowing a Loa to temporarily possess their body to communicate or provide guidance. Voodoo is a profound and complex tradition offering wisdom about the interconnectedness of all things. In acts of intention and alignment with spiritual forces, voodoo uses natural elements, herbs, oils, candles and sacred symbols to manifest change.

Voodoo requires initiation, a process where a person goes through to be consecrated to practice spiritual practices and traditions of that religion. A lot of these rituals and practices were custom-made and created for the African people and people that are bloodline connected to the African people. Their energy, their connection to the earth, and their connection to the earth is why these rituals were created.

In the countryside of the present-day Republic of Benin, a country in West Africa, you can find the ruins of shrines and temples from the ancient Edo people. The historical center of Voodoo in the Republic of Benin is the town of Ouidah.

Candomblé and Santería are religions that originated in the Americas, specifically within the African diasporic communities during the colonial period

Candomblé

Candomblé originated in Brazil, primarily developed by the Yoruba people of Nigeria and Benin, although it includes influences from other African ethnic groups such as the Fon and Bantu. This religion formed as a way for enslaved Africans to maintain their cultural identity and religious practices under the guise of Catholicism.

In Candomblé, the deities known as Orishas syncretized with catholic saints. For instance, the Orisha Oya is often syncretized with Saint Barbara, and depending on the area of the country, Yemoja, the goddess of motherhood and the ocean is linked to Our Lady of the Navigators or Immaculate Conception.

These Orishas are invoked by spiritual rituals such as dancing and drumming. The priests, called Pai de Santo or Mãe de Santo guide initiates through spiritual development.

Santería

Santería, based primarily on Yoruba traditions has its origins in Cuba. Similar to Candomblé, but with stronger Catholic influence, Santería blends the worship of deities with the reverence of Catholic saints. Like in Candomblé, each Orisha is syncretized with a Catholic saint, such as Saint Lazarus being associated with Babalú-Ayé. The Orishas guide and protect devotees.

In Santería, worship takes place in small groups (cabildos or ilé), led by priests called Santeros. Elements such as divination, herbal medicine, and animal sacrifice are integral parts of the religion.

Common stereotypes often misrepresent these religions, which are more about community and spirituality than the sensationalized portrayals in popular culture. However, the survival and adaptation of these religions are a testament to the resilience of African cultural and religious identity. These religions continue to influence contemporary cultural expressions such as music, art, and social movements. They also continue to provide spiritual and communal identity for millions and are recognized for their historical importance, as well as their ongoing spiritual relevance. Each has shaped the cultural landscapes of their respective countries, preserving African traditions and practices in the diaspora.