This wide-ranging book explores the origins; development; and character of Afro-Caribbean cultures from the slave period to the present day. Richard D. E. Burton focuses on ways in which African traditions--including those in religion; music; food; dress; and family structure--were transformed by interaction with European and indigenous forces to create the particular cultures of Jamaica; Trinidad; and Haiti. He demonstrates how the resulting Afro-Creole cultures have both challenged and reinforced the social; political; and economic status quo in these countries. Jamaican slaves opposed slavery in many ways and one of the most important; Burton suggests; was the development of Afro-Christianity. He pays particular attention to the African-derived Christmas celebration of Jonkonnu as an expression of opposition and then documents religion in the post-slavery period; with an emphasis on Rastafarianism in Jamaica and Vodou in Haiti. The element of play has always figured importantly in Afro-Caribbean life. Burton examines the evolution of carnival and calypso in Trinidad and describes the significance of cricket in defining Caribbean national identity. Based on ten years of research; Afro-Creole draws on historical; anthropological; sociological; and literary sources. Burton characterizes the emergence of Caribbean identity with three different national flavors and demonstrates how culture both reflects and impacts people's changing sense of their own political power.
#1689445 in Books Baker Academic 2005-10-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 .85 x 6.10 x 9.02l; #File Name: 0801031427336 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A Dispensational Expert!By Cheryl MasonI cannot believe this book has been around since 2004 and I've only just discovered it. It would have to be one of the most comprehensive books I've read on the topic of Dispensationalism. Now I can honestly say I understand Dispensationalism; yippee!This author is truly an expert on the topic. Every paragraph; every chapter; is filled with detail. How can one man know so much? I kept asking myself. I made notes; jotted down references; highlighting verses; I couldn't put this book down; I had to finish it. In the end I pretty much highlighted the entire book!It's a must read for all those interested in current world events. It's never easy to understand the support Evangelicals have for Israel; but this book helps. They are in fact the glue that binds America and Israel together. What kind of a world would we be living in if this movement didn't eventuate? I think a much more peaceful one; not the authors opinion; but mine. They have added fuel to the Middle East fire and have turned Israel and the Jews into a god on earth; in doing so they have replaced the preaching of the Gospel with a love and adoration for Israel that is incomprehensible.The lost; the lost; millions of souls perish while this love affair continues...How will we answer God on the day of Judgement? We became distracted from the one and only commission. The Great Commission; "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel."5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. An Excellent Read and Well ResearchedBy R. JarvisThis is a well-written and nicely researched overview of how Evangelicalism became so tied to the cause of Israel beginning in the 1950s after the founding of the modern Jewish state. The roots of this tie go back to the 1800s and the beginnings of dispensationalist theology and came to full flower beginning in the 1950s during the Cold War. The somewhat odd marriage of American fundamentalist evangelicals and the hawkish elements in Israeli society is mapped out with care to note the paradoxical nature of this marriage of convenience that sometimes requires one side to ignore the end goal of the other side that will require the destruction of the modern Jewish state as a fulfillment of prophecy. It's a fascinating read and a good one for anyone trying to get a handle on the relationship between American evangelicals and Israel.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. It is an excellent primer for anyone seeking to understand the phenomenon of ...By Vincent SaloniaIt is an excellent primer for anyone seeking to understand the phenomenon of 'Pre-Millennial -Dispensationism'; an eschatology that dominates the Evangelical church today. While the Pre-Millennial position can be found early in church history; the "dispensational" twist is a reality new phenomenon. This is something I don't believe is widely known.
