• FAIZA FARHAT MOHAMMAD MUSTAFA

This paper explores the profound influence of religion and spirituality in Afro-American narratives, tracing their evolution from African spiritual traditions through the challenges of slavery and into contemporary cultural expressions. Religion and spirituality have served as foundational elements that shape identity, community solidarity, and resistance against oppression within Afro-American communities.Beginning with the adaptation of African spiritual practices during the transatlantic slave trade, Afro-Americans merged these traditions with Christianity, forming syncretic beliefs that sustained cultural identity amidst systemic dehumanization. The establishment of independent Black churches, such as the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the Church of God in Christ, provided not only spaces for worship but also hubs for organizing social and political movements for justice.Prominent Afro-American writers and thinkers, including Frederick Douglass, Zora Neale Hurston, and James Baldwin, have explored the complexities of faith in their literary works. These narratives depict how religious symbols, rituals, and communal gatherings have been pivotal in fostering resilience and articulating calls for liberation. Critically, the paper examines challenges to dominant religious narratives, critiques of gender roles within religious contexts, and efforts to integrate diverse spiritual beliefs into Afro-American cultural discourse.Ultimately, the study underscores the significance of Afro-American narratives in understanding cultural heritage and identity formation. By analyzing the intersectionality of race, gender, and spirituality, it illuminates how these narratives continue to inform contemporary debates on social justice, equity, and the ongoing quest for spiritual and societal transformation within Afro-American communities.

Afro-American narratives, Religion, Spirituality, Identity formation, Community solidarity, Social justice, Cultural heritage

"The Role of Religion and Spirituality in Afro-American Narratives", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 7, page no.f615-f625, July-2024, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2407580.pdf

"The Role of Religion and Spirituality in Afro-American Narratives", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 7, page no. ppf615-f625, July-2024, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2407580.pdf