Afro-Caribbean, other in Canada

Introduction / History

The Afro-Caribbean population in Argentina is a small but culturally rich community, primarily concentrated in urban centers like Buenos Aires. Their ancestry traces back to enslaved Africans brought through the transatlantic slave trade, particularly from West and Central Africa, including Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Historically, Afro-descendants in Argentina were once a significant portion of the population, especially in the 18th and 19th centuries, comprising up to 50% in some cities. Over time, their visibility declined due to war casualties, disease, racial intermixing, and deliberate government policies aimed at "whitening" the population. Surprisingly, there are far more of them in Canada than in Argentina.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Afro-Caribbean people in the diaspora, especially in North America, cannot be classified as a single homogenous entity but rather as a vast network of overlapping identities shaped by religion, history, migration patterns, culture, and evolving social contexts. Regardless of their religious or cultural backgrounds, Africans in North America are deeply interconnected through various social networks and associations. They tend to maintain and pursue their religious and cultural values more actively than many other racial groups, even as different social institutions, secular norms, and racial dynamics influence their life experiences. Over time, however, some Africans, particularly those of the younger generation, may gradually assimilate into the individualistic religious lifestyle that characterizes much of North American religious belief and practice, where faith is treated as a personal choice and often takes on a different tone.

One of the strongest binding forces among Africans in North America is their shared experiences of migration, racial profiling, and cultural familiarity, such as common foods, music, and communal values.

The individualistic religious environment and sense of cultural superiority that often characterize North American churches have led many African Christians, particularly in the U.S. and Canada, to establish diaspora congregations. These congregations blend African worship styles, music, dance, and language with Western church structures. They serve not only as places of worship but also as centers of social support, networking, and cultural preservation.

While religious beliefs and practices can sometimes remain sources of subtle contention among Africans in North America, social solidarity often bridges these divides. Community events such as Black History Month, student associations, and cultural programs frequently serve as opportunities for connection and collective celebration. For example, organizations like the Black Luck Collective in Kingston, Ontario; Kingston Connect (a Nigerian social group); and African Women International in Ithaca, New York, focus on strengthening the Black community. They organize events aimed at uplifting Black voices, promoting Black-owned businesses and achievements, and creating spaces for visibility, connection, and belonging. Despite the influences of religion and language on African social networks, shared struggles, identities, and experiences continue to drive collaboration and solidarity, especially in addressing issues such as racism, immigration, and cultural preservation.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Religious life among Afro-Caribbean Argentines is diverse. At the same time, many identify as Roman Catholic or Protestant, a significant number practice Afro-Latin religions such as Santería, Umbanda, and Candomblé, which blend African spiritual traditions with Catholicism and indigenous beliefs. These faiths often involve ancestor veneration, spirit possession, and rituals that connect practitioners to their African roots.

What Are Their Needs?

One of the greatest challenges among any diaspora is identity. They live in a strange land where they must adapt to someone else's ways every day. Ideally, those who are Christian need to put Jesus Christ first; he needs to be their identity.

Prayer Points

Lift up young people, that they would find identity, purpose, and hope in Christ amid societal challenges.
Pray for spiritual revival among Afro-Caribbean communities in Canada, that many would encounter the love and truth of Christ.
Ask God to raise up leaders and churches who will minister across racial and cultural boundaries with compassion and justice.
Pray for bold witness and discipleship movements among Afro-Caribbean believers, that they would be empowered to share the gospel and disciple others.

Text Source:   Joshua Project