El espiritismo criollo o mesa blanca espiritual (folkloric spiritism or spiritual white table) an initial approach to the study of Arawak, Catholic, Bantu, and Kardecian influences on the development of a Puerto Rican religious form in the search for national identity
by Torres-Camacho, Hector Manuel, Ph.D., CENTRO DE ESTUDIOS AVANZADOS DE PUERTO RICO Y EL CARIBE (PUERTO RICO), 2009, 275 pages; 3382296

Abstract:

The following research places its attention on the identification of possible cultural bases reflected in a Puerto Rican folk religion. By making a thorough bibliographical study of likely sources and a complementary field research, the author engaged in a comparative religion study that yielded a number of individual traits that could be specifically associated to Arawak, Catholic, Bantu and Kardecian religious practices. Although the information obtained responds and is limited to the participants involved in this research, it was successfully used to answer initial questions regarding cultural identity, survival and diversity applicable to the contemporary Puerto Rican population as well as revealing topics to be considered for further study. Even though regional variations could be found if the participant pool is broadened, the findings and conclusions of this research are in the most part consistent to similar studies done in Cuba and the Dominican Republic.

 
AdviserRafael Lopez-Valdes
SchoolCENTRO DE ESTUDIOS AVANZADOS DE PUERTO RICO Y EL CARIBE (PUERTO RICO)
SourceDAI/A 70-11, p. , Dec 2009
Source TypeDissertation
SubjectsReligious history; Cultural anthropology; Caribbean studies; Ethnic studies
Publication Number3382296
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