Theme: Africana Religions and Public Health

The Journal of Africana Religions invites article manuscripts for a special issue on “Africana Religions and Public Health.” The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of understanding the relationship between religion and public health. Some religious communities have interpreted the cause and significance of the pandemic and have performed rituals of healing. Other religious communities have denied the existence of the virus and opposed public health measures to curb its spread. While the pandemic has brought conversations about the relationship between religion and public health to the forefront, Africana religions have often been overlooked in these conversations. Therefore, we invite manuscripts that focus on the religious traditions of Africa and the African diaspora, including African ancestral religions, Islam, Christianity, and Afro-diasporic religions. Suggested topics include but are not limited to:

• Africana religious communities’ experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic
• Historical criminalization of Africana religions as a threat to public health
• Stereotypes about Africana religions as the root/cause of disease
• Africana religions and holistic health practices

If interested, please send a 150-word proposal to journal@africanareligions.org. Final articles of 8,000 words or review essays of 5,000 words are due by August 31, 2021. All submissions will be peer-reviewed.