Haitian Modernity and Liberative Interruptions investigates the intersections of history, literature, race, religion, decolonization, and freedom that led to the founding of the postcolonial state of Haiti in 1804. Particular attention is given to the place of religion in the Haitian Revolution, as well as to the interpretation and representation of this singular event in the work of Frederick Douglass and Langston Hughes. This book not only examines the multiple legacies and the problems of Enlightenment modernity, imperial colonialism, Western racism, and hegemony, but also studies their...

One glaring lacuna in studies of Haitian Vodou is the scarcity of works exploring the connection between the religion and its main roots, traditional Yoruba religion. Discussions of Vodou very often seem to present the religion in vacuo, as a sui generis phenomenon that arose in Saint-Domingue and evolved in Haiti, with no antecedents. What is sorely needed then is more comparative studies of Haitian Vodou that would examine its connections to traditional Yoruba religion and thus illuminate certain aspects of its mythology, belief system, practices, and rituals. This book seeks to bridge...

Throughout Haitian history--from 17th century colonial Saint-Domingue to 21st century postcolonial Haiti--arguably, the Afro-Haitian religion of Vodou has been represented as an "unsettling faith" and a "cultural paradox," as expressed in various forms and modes of Haitian thought and life including literature, history, law, politics, painting, music, and art. Competing voices and conflicting ideas of Vodou have emerged from each of these cultural symbols and intellectual expressions. The Vodouist discourse has not only pervaded every aspect of the Haitian life and experience, it has defined...

This book articulates the religious ideas and vision of Wole Soyinka in his non-fiction writings, analyzes Soyinka's response to religious violence, terror, and the fear of religious imperialism, and suggests that theoretical notions of radical humanism and generous tolerance best summarize Soyinka's religious ideals and religious piety.

This work explores the contributions of Jean Price-Mars to Haitian history and culture and interprets his connections with Black internationalism, Harlem Renaissance, and the Negritude movement. The book also underscores Price-Mars's contributions to post colonialism, religious studies, Africana studies, and pan-Africanism.