Levant and "Middle Eastern " Western Asian origin religions

 Levant and Middle Eastern origin religions

 

The religious landscape of the Caribbean, a vibrant mosaic of cultural and spiritual traditions, includes significant influences from Levantine, Persian, and other Middle Eastern religions. These influences, though less prominent than Afro-Caribbean and Indigenous spiritual practices, have contributed to the rich tapestry of Caribbean religiosity through migration, trade, and cultural exchange.

Levantine influences in the Caribbean primarily stem from Lebanese, Syrian, and Arab immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These communities brought with them a variety of religious traditions, including Christianity (Maronite, Orthodox, and Melkite Catholic), Islam, and Druze beliefs. In countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and Haiti, Levantine Christians established churches that became integral to their community life, serving as centers for worship, social gathering, and cultural preservation. These communities maintained their distinct religious identities while also integrating into the broader Caribbean society.

  Islam, brought by Levantine immigrants,  enslaved Africans, and indentured laborers from South Asia, has established a significant presence in the Caribbean. Muslim traders and migrants from the Middle East further bolstered the Islamic community. Mosques and Islamic centers, such as those in Trinidad, Guyana, and Suriname, serve as focal points for religious practice, education, and community life. These institutions support a diverse Muslim population encompassing Sunnis, Shias, and Ahmadis, and facilitate the observance of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha, thus reinforcing Islamic cultural and spiritual traditions in the Caribbean context.

 

Persian influences, primarily through the Bahá'í Faith, have also made their mark on the Caribbean's religious landscape. The Bahá'í Faith, which emphasizes the unity of all religions and the oneness of humanity, found fertile ground in the Caribbean from the mid-20th century onwards. Bahá'í communities in countries like Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados engage in activities that promote social and economic development, interfaith dialogue, and community building. Bahá'í principles of equality, education, and global peace resonate deeply within the multicultural and multi-religious context of the Caribbean.

Baha’i faith

 

I couldn’t find much scholarly research on the Bahai faith

         But here is what I found

• ·        Bahá'í Communities in the Caribbean." Encyclopedia of African American Culture and History... Encyclopedia.com. (June 15, 2024). https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/bahai-communities-caribbean
• ·       https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20171230/bahais-faith-part-iii-bahais-jamaica
• ·       https://www.bahai.org/national-communities/barbados#:~:text=The%20Bah%C3%A1'%C3%AD%20Faith%20was,of%20Bah%C3%A1'u'll%C3%A1h.
• ·       https://www.bahai.org/national-communities/dominica
• ·       http://www.bahaihistorycaribbean.info/html/introduction.html

 

                            Islam 

• ·       Afroz, Sultana. "The Unsung Slaves: Islam in Plantation Jamaica." Caribbean Quarterly 41, no. 3-4 (1995): 30-44.
• ·       Ali, Imtiaz. "Muslims in the Caribbean: Towards Increased Co-operation and Integration." In Caribbean Muslim Forum, St. Joseph, Trinidad & Tobago, p. 6. 2005.
• ·       Chitwood, Ken. "The study of Islam and Muslim communities in Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Americas: The state of the field." International Journal of Latin American Religions 1, no. 1 (2017): 57-76.
• ·       Kasule, Omar Hasan. "Muslims in Trinidad and Tobago." Institute of Muslim Minority Affairs. Journal 7, no. 1 (1986): 195-213.
• ·       Khan, Aliyah. Far from Mecca: Globalizing the Muslim Caribbean. Rutgers University Press, 2020.
• ·       Khan, Abrahim H. "Islamic influence in the Caribbean: Traditional and cultural healing practice." In Caribbean Healing Traditions, pp. 188-199. Routledge, 2013.
• ·       Khan, Abrahim H. "Islamic influence in the Caribbean: Traditional and cultural healing practice." In Caribbean Healing Traditions, pp. 188-199. Routledge, 2013.
• ·       Khan, Abrahim H. "Islamic Influence in the Caribbean." Caribbean Healing Traditions: Implications for Health and Mental Health (2013): 188.
• ·       Korom, Frank. "Reconciling the Local and the Global: The Ritual Space of Shi'i Islam in Trinidad." Journal of Ritual Studies (1999): 21-36.
• ·       Mustapha, Nasser. "Muslims in the Caribbean." Indian Diaspora in the Caribbean: History, Culture, and Identity (2012): 43-54.
• ·       Mustapha, Nasser. "The influence of Indian Islam on fundamentalist trends in Trinidad and Tobago." Sociological Bulletin 46, no. 2 (1997): 245-265.
• ·       SAMAROO, BRINSLEY. "The Ummah in the Caribbean: African and Asian Origins of Caribbean Islam." Localization and Globalization of Religions (2023): 207.

Christianity

 

The Christian section is divided into three parts. The Christianity of the Syrian and Lebanese Caribbean people, the Europeans, and North American forms of Christianity

Christianity of the Syrian and Lebanese Caribbean people

• ·       Bruckmayr, Philipp. "Syro-Lebanese migration to Colombia, Venezuela, and Curacao: From mainly Christian to predominantly Muslim phenomenon." European Journal of Economic and Political Studies 3, no. Special Issue (2010): 151-178.
• ·       Fiddian-Qasmiyeh, Elena. "Embracing transculturalism and footnoting Islam in accounts of Arab migration to Cuba." Interventions 18, no. 1 (2016): 19-42.           

Judaism in the Caribbean

The Jewish presence in the Caribbean is a rich tapestry woven through centuries of migration, settlement, and cultural exchange. This odyssey began as early as the 15th century, when Sephardic Jews, fleeing the Spanish and Portuguese Inquisition, sought refuge in the relatively tolerant and burgeoning colonies of the New World. The Caribbean, with its mosaic of colonial powers and vibrant trade routes, became a significant haven for these Jewish communities, who established themselves on various islands, contributing to the socio-economic and cultural landscapes.  There were even rumors that still persist that Christopher Columbus was a secret Jew, although I believe that is highly unlikely.

The Sephardic Jews were among the first to arrive, with notable settlements in places such as Curaçao, Jamaica, and Barbados. These communities played pivotal roles in the economic development of the Caribbean, engaging in commerce, finance, and trade. They established synagogues, cemeteries, and schools, embedding their traditions and religious practices within the fabric of the Caribbean society. The Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue in Curaçao, founded in 1651, stands as a testament to this enduring legacy and is one of the oldest synagogues in the Americas.

A unique blend of cultural syncretism marks the Caribbean Jewish experience. The interaction with diverse cultures – African, European, and indigenous – resulted in a distinctive Jewish-Caribbean identity. This syncretism is evident in various aspects of life, from cuisine to language, and religious practices. The Jews of the Caribbean adapted their rituals to the tropical environment while maintaining a strong sense of their heritage and religious observances.

Besides the Sephardic influx, the 19th and early 20th centuries saw Ashkenazi Jews from Eastern Europe, further diversifying the Jewish presence in the Caribbean. These new settlers brought different traditions and practices, enriching the cultural and religious tapestry of the islands. Despite facing challenges such as anti-Semitism and economic hardship, Jewish communities in the Caribbean have shown remarkable resilience and adaptability.

The impact of Jews in the Caribbean extends beyond their communities. Their contributions to the wider society include advancements in commerce, the arts, politics, and the fight for civil rights. Figures such as Isaac Mendes Belisario, a Jamaican artist, and Jacob De Cordova, a publisher and land developer, exemplify the influential roles played by Caribbean Jews.

Today, the Jewish Caribbean heritage continues to thrive, preserving its historical roots while embracing contemporary transformations. Festivals, cultural events, and educational initiatives celebrate this rich history, ensuring that the legacy of Jewish communities in the Caribbean is recognized and cherished.

This introduction provides a glimpse into the complex and vibrant history of Jews in the Caribbean, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of their cultural, religious, and social contributions. Through understanding this unique narrative, we gain insights into the broader themes of migration, cultural exchange, and resilience that define the Caribbean experience.

 Jews  in the  Caribbean

• ·       Arbell, Mordehay. The Jewish Nation of the Caribbean: The Spanish-Portuguese Jewish Settlements in the Caribbean and the Guianas. Gefen Publishing House Ltd, 2002.
• ·       Benjamin, Alan F. Jews of the Dutch Caribbean: Exploring ethnic identity on Curaçao. Routledge, 2003.
• ·       Cohen, Judah M. "Arabs and Jews in the Virgin Islands: A Search for Caribbean Paradigms." Latin American and Caribbean Ethnic Studies 6, no. 2 (2011): 213-223.
• ·       Daniels, Edwd S. "Extracts from Various Records of the Early Settlement of the Jews in the Island of Barbados, WI." Publications of the American Jewish Historical Society 26 (1918): 250-256.
• ·       Gerber, Jane S., ed. The Jews in the Caribbean. Liverpool University Press, 2013
• ·       Frank, Ben G. Travel Guide to the Jewish Caribbean and South America, A. Pelican Publishing Company, Inc., 2010.
• ·       Leibman, Laura Arnold. "The Material of Race: Caribbean Jews, Clothing, and Manhood in the Age of Emancipation and Liberal Revolution." Jews, Liberalism, Antisemitism: A Global History (2020): 97-130.
• ·       Leibman, Laura Arnold, and Sam May. "Making Jews: race, gender, and identity in Barbados in the age of emancipation." American Jewish History 99, no. 1 (2015): 1-26.
• ·       Merrill, Gordon. "The role of Sephardic Jews in the British Caribbean area during the seventeenth century." Caribbean Studies 4, no. 3 (1964): 32-49...
• ·       Miller, Derek Robert. " A Medley of Contradictions": The Jewish Diaspora in St. Eustatius and Barbados. The College of William and Mary, 2013.
• ·       Michel, Claudine, Patrick Bellegarde-Smith, and Elizabeth A. McAlister. "“The Jew” in the Haitian imagination: Pre-modern anti-Judaism in the postmodern Caribbean." Vodou in Haitian Life and Culture: Invisible Powers (2006): 79-99.’
• ·       Okhovat, Oren. "Portuguese Jews and Dutch Spaniards: cultural fluidity and economic pragmatism in the early modern Caribbean." Colonial Latin American Review 32, no. 1 (2023): 74-96.
• ·       Pridgeon, Stephanie M. "Sarah Philips Casteel and Heidi Kaufman eds. Caribbean Jewish Crossings: Literary History and Creative Practice." Latin American Jewish Studies 1, no. 2 (2022): 75-78.
• ·       Siegel, Alisa. An unintended haven: the Jews of Trinidad, 1937 to 2003. 2003.
• ·       Yerushalmi, Yosef Hayim. "Between Amsterdam and New Amsterdam: The place of Curaçao and the Caribbean in early modern Jewish history." American Jewish History 72, no. 2 (1982): 172-192.