Below, I have listed five groups of videos (some of the videos I was able to embed, and others just have links). Pick two groups to focus on, and then pick one video from each of your chosen groups. For example, you can choose “The House of Mother Nature” from Group 1 and “New Orleans Voodoo Myth and Mystique” from Group 2, but you cannot pick two videos from the same group.

Then, please provide an analysis of what your two chosen texts reveal about the influence African Diaspora forms of spirituality have had on American culture at large.

Group 1: Santeria

The House of Mother Nature

(Links to an external site.)

Pedrito Martinez-Que Palo

(Links to an external site.)

Celia Cruz-Yemaya (begins at 2:40)

Celia Cruz & Tito Puente y Su Orq. – Yemayá (Links to an external site.)

Group 2: Voodoo

New Orleans Voodoo Myth and Mystique
WGNO-TV “New Orleans Voodoo Myth And Mystique” Documentary Videography Package (Links to an external site.)

Priestess Miriam (please focus on the video)
https://wgno.com/2016/04/27/a-new-home-for-new-orl… (Links to an external site.)

Group 3: Congo Square

History of Congo Square
Luther Gray: History of Congo Square + New Generation Jam (Links to an external site.)

Congo Square Drum Circle
Congo Square Drum Circle (Links to an external site.)

Group 4: Salsa

Celia Cruz-Quimbara
Celia Cruz & The Fania All Stars – Quimbara – Zaire, Africa 1974 (Links to an external site.)

Group 5: The Blues

Freddie King-Ain’t Nobody’s Business
002_Freddie King – Ain’t Nobody’s Business (Live At The Sugarbowl 1972).mp4 (Links to an external site.)

Billie Holiday-Don’t Explain
Billie Holiday – Don’t Explain (Live 1958) (Links to an external site.)

Further Notes:

Follow the Writing Assignment Rubric precisely.

You must put your chosen texts into historical and cultural context.

This prompt allows for many different arguments. Please make only one argument that you explore in depth. A helpful hint to remember is to keep it simple, creative, and insightful.

There are no citations needed for this assignment, but do not use outside sources. Obviously, you must be clear in your writing regarding which video you are referring to.

Make sure thesis statement is bold.