1. Persistence and Change in Afro-Asian Cultural Traditions
African religions made the journey across the Atlantic with the newly bound slaves
Development of Africanized forms of Christianity in the Americas with divination, dream interpretation, visions, and spirit possessions
Europeans tried to suppress and control Africanized Christianity as sorcery and paganism without success
Persistence of Africanized Christianity remains throughout the Americas(Vodoun, Santeria, Candomble, Macumba)
However many Africans in the Americas adapted Christian rituals with little differentiation from European worship models.

2. Expansion and Renewal: the Islamic World
Spread of Islam in this era not conquest or jihad, but scholars, traders, and wandering holy men
Islands of Southeast Asia welcomed Islam but created many diverse Islamic cultures that were not mainstream
The increasing syncretism of Islam with native religions offended many Orthodox Muslims
Provoked religious revival and renewals in the 18th century
Series of Jihads in 18th-19th century in West Africa to “purify” Islam
Growing tension between “pure” Islam and local versions of Islam

3. Expansion and Renewal of Islam
Most well known Islamic revival movement of this era was Wahhabism
Develop in what is today Saudi Arabia in mid 1700’s
Founded by Abd al-Wahhab, a Muslim theologian
Aim: to restore absolute Monotheism, stop worship of saints
Developed a political angle when as-Wahhab allied with Muhammad Ibn Saud; led to the creation of Saudi Arabia
The state was “purified”-cleansed of all non Wahhabist Muslims
Although the political aspect of Wahhabism declined, its religious influence remained powerful in the Islamic world.
These reforms movement eventually became associated with resistance to western cultural penetration.

4. China and India: New Directions in Old Traditions
Chinese and Indian cultural/religious change was not as dramatic as what occurred in Europe or the Islamic world, however things were not static
Ming and Qing China still operated within the Confucian framework with addition of Buddhist traditions to create Neo-Confucianism
Both dynasties continued to use the scholar bureaucratic Confucian system

5. China and India (cont.)
Much debate and new thinking in China during this period
Wang Yangmin: anyone can achieve a virtuous life through self examination without a Confucian education
Chinese Buddhists: tried to make religion more accessible to all; not necessary to withdraw from life to achieve union with the universe
Many Chinese elites practiced “kaozheng” or research based on evidence” not unlike scientists in Europe
Popular culture (among commoners) included plays, paintings and literature. Many classic Chinese novels were written at this time.

6. China and India (cont.)
India: main focus of change was on how to bring together Muslims and Hindus
Several movements brought the two groups together in new forms of religious expression
Bhakti movement: devotional Hinduism (rather than ritual); reach union with the cosmos through dance, song, poetry, prayers; appealed to women; usually casteless; had much in common with Sufism (Muslim mysticism) blurring religious lines. Mirabai was one of the most prolific and loved poets of bhakti

7. China and India (cont.)
Sikhism: a religion that blends Hindu and Islam was developed in parts of India during this time period
Founder: Guru Nanak c.1525 part of bhakti movement came to believe the two religions were the same
Nanak and successors set aside caste and proclaimed the essential equality of the sexes
Greatly influential in the Punjab region of North India
Hostile responses from others caused Sikhs to become militarily important in order to defend themselves