African Diaspora, Religion in

African slaves brought their religions with them to America, since most of them came as adults and had been fully socialized in Africa. For newly arrived Africans, religious worship most often took place in the context of the “nation,” a group of people from the same African cultural group, who met occasionally and maintained mutual support networks in many colonies, either openly where allowed (especially Latin colonies) or secretly where forbidden or inhibited (especially in French and English areas).

Burials and related cults of ancestors formed an important element of African religion in the Diaspora and an important cause for national meetings. Dances, songs, and occasionally witchcraft investigations accompanied burials. Archaeology of plantation sites also records the burying of grave goods and alignments of bodies suggesting African patterns.

A priestly calling developed in America, either from deported or enslaved African priests, or new practitioners taking up the role in...