Voices of the Orishas
Description
This innovative ethnographic documentary demonstrates the survival and strength of the Yoruba cultural and religious heritage in the contemporary life of Caribbean African-Hispanics. Filmed in Havana among Afro- Cubans who practice Santeria (African spiritism), the video documents an important Guemilere, a ritual ceremony that features dancing, singing, praying, and drum beating, and in which the pantheon of 22 deities, or Orishas, of the Yoruba religion are invoked. The ceremony re-creates a seminal Yoruba myth featuring the demigods Shango, Oggun, and Oya; through it Santero initiates render homage to the gods, ask for guidance in matters involving birth and death, and request permission to initiate new Santeros into the religion. This informative and thought-provoking documentary will engage student interest and generate discussion in classes in cultural anthropology, African studies, Latin American and Caribbean studies, and comparative religion. It is essential viewing in any course dealing with the African Diaspora. It was produced by Alvaro Perez Betancourt.
Runtime
38 minutes
Subjects
Geography
Genre
Database
Alexander Street
Direct Link
Similar Films
Moving on
America to me. Listen to the poem! Episode six
Integrating Black history
Black Journal. Great Men of Color
New images
Can u dig it? Part 2
Say brother. Black youth and education
Great lesson ideas. 'Roll of thunder'. KS3 English and black history
A film called blacks can't swim
Black Israel
Africa and Britain. First encounters. [Episode 1]
A celebration of life. Dances of the African-Guyanese
Sons of Benkos
Oba Koso. Nigerian Music and Dance Drama
Are you black or white?