es in writing the book is “to serve as a rough sketch for further, more exhaustive examination of this important subject.” The histories of oppressed people are often written by their oppressors, but Raboteau is able to unearth many original sources and documents and actual slave narratives to begin to piece together the overall significance of the church in the slave community and beyond.
In the initial chapters of the book, Raboteau explores the various religious customs and practices of slaves who were forced into bondage in this country, ones who were also converted to Christianity. We get a glimpse of different customs and beliefs, like the strong belief that when an African died they were reunited with friends and family in their land of origin and that if an African died the next person born into that family was the same person reincarnated. When American slaves from Africa lost a child, they often buried things with him like a small carved boat and other items that would serve him well on his journey back to his original land to be with his family and friends. Howe
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