Bertin Magloire Louis, Jr.: Transnational Linkages in Haitian Religious Communities

Bert Louis (right, in white visor) with Protestant community in Ti Rivye, Jacmel, Haiti.

My research deals with the transnational religious connections that Haitian American Protestants in Saint Louis, Missouri have with Protestants in Haiti. Research and fieldwork conducted in Saint Louis, Missouri and Port-au-Prince, Haiti has revealed that there is a large growth in the number of Haitian Protestant churches in Saint Louis as well as an exponential growth of Protestantism in Haiti. There are two aspects of this general growth that require further investigation. When compared to the relatively small population of Haitians in the greater Saint Louis area (300-500 people), it is extraordinary considering that in Haiti Roman Catholicism and Voodoo are the dominant religions of the country. Protestantism was introduced in Haiti as early as the 19th century, represented 1.5 % of the population of Haiti in 1930 and its numbers tripled between 1930-1940 and doubled between 1940-1950. It continues to grow exponentially and has an importance that extends beyond the borders of Haiti. This project seeks to understand the reasons for the growth of Protestantism in Haiti and the religious connections that Haitian-American Protestants have with Haiti.

Along with my dissertation research I am also interested in issues of cultural identity. Currently I teach a class through the program of American Culture Studies entitled Latino/a Identity in the United States (AmCS 248). This course is affiliated with the Annika Rodriguez Scholars, a program consisting of undergraduates of Hispanic descent. The class reads and discusses issues of culture, diaspora, nation and transnationalism in order to understand how identity is constituted and the particular issues that are important to Hispanic populations in the United States. For more information about the course please see the course website.