Grenada

Grenada, an island nation in the eastern Caribbean archipelago, was discovered by Columbus on his third voyage in 1498 and was colonized by the French and later by the English. After slavery was abolished in 1850, there was a shortage of labor on the plantations, and therefore the British imported a considerable number of indentured laborers from Nigeria, mostly Yoruba speakers from Ilesha. Although they were superficially Christianized, they have kept a number of their original religious traditions until today. In the so-called Shango cult, Yoruba deities (orishas) are invoked in a dialect derived from their native African language. The believers are mostly peasants, who construct simple altars or shrines (stools) for their favorite divinities, such as Ogun, Shango, Yemanya, and Oshun, next to their houses, where food and libations are offered almost daily, to receive protection from their guardian spirits. They are implored to provide a good harvest and to prevent people from becoming sick.

From time to time, the believers join together for special rituals. A temporary shrine is constructed, where candles are lit and offerings of food and flowers are deposited. Drummers are invited. The queen of Shango, an old female worshipper or priestess, is in charge of this ceremony. After invoking the deities in prayers, she is induced, by drum rhythms and songs, to dance and eventually is possessed by Shango or any other African deity, who may then be consulted by the faithful, speaking from her mouth. She may also perform a healing rite, as it is believed that the old queens possess a wide knowledge of herbal medicine and magic formulas. Most Shangoists are also members of one or another Christian church at the same time. In many Pentecostal congregations, African rites are considered to be complementary [Page 484]to Christian rites. The Shango religion in Grenada is less structured than its counterpart in Trinidad, where it is organized by male leaders in the local temples.

Grenada and the neighboring little island of Carriacou are the only places in the Caribbean area where commemorative rites for remote African ancestors, such as Mandingos or Congos, are still performed today. During these rites, called saracas, sacrifices of food and libations are offered to the dead. These feasts are usually organized by the members of an extended family, considering themselves to be the descendants of a particular African ethnic group, who arrived as slaves in colonial times, before the free Yoruba laborers. Similar events are also celebrated for thanksgiving after a good harvest or at the occasion of a wedding or a funeral. Sometimes saracas are also given when a new house is inaugurated or if the community has a good reason to celebrate. They are known as Big Drum Dances or Nation Dances. Each African ethnic group preserved special drum rhythms and songs. In saracas, spirit possession does not occur. Today, Big Drum Dances do not take place very often, due to their high cost. They may now be witnessed only in Carriacou. Shango practices are also less frequent nowadays, as most of the old queens of Shango have died.

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