african traditional religion afro-american religion angel angola animism babalu aye benin brazil catholicism christianity colonialism congo river cosmogony creator deity cuba dahomey mythology dominican republic eshu ewe language ewe people fon language fon people gbe languages gen language ghana haitian vodou iansan intercession of saints kabye kingdom of kongo kongo people kumina loa louisiana voodoo mami wata monotheism nana buluku nasal vowel new world nigeria nkisi obeah ogoun orunmila ouidah pantheism portuguese empire quimbanda religious cosmology roman catholic church shango spanish empire spirit spiritual baptist syncretism togo trinity umbanda uruguay voodoo west africa winti yemaja yoruba people yoruba religion