The French Guiana (French Guiana Religion) is located in the eastern part of South America. A unique blend of traditional Catholicism, animism and native culture, French Guiana has a unique cultural heritage. French Guiana was absorbed into Brazil and the United States during the colonial period. The language of French Guiana, which is also known as Crossover Spanish is the official language of the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro. French Guiana Religion is an intriguing blend of Roman Catholic faith and Animism.
About The French Guiana Religion
The French Guiana government officially recognizes two religions: Christian and Animist. The government considers both Christianity and Animism worthy manifestations of the French Guiana culture and values. At the same time, it recognizes the existence of at least fifty other religions. As an example, the government encourages the worship of the Little Shepherd, who is the national symbol of the Virgin Mary. While most citizens consider the Little Shepherd to be a saintly figure, some consider him to be the patron saint of the island.
As for other religions, it is strictly prohibited to carry out rituals that use leprechauns, unicorns, witches or wizards, as these symbols are considered to be heathens. Similarly, there are no restrictions on tattooing. However, the government strongly discourages the wearing of headdresses. There are a few private schools in French Guiana that allow these cultural practices; however, these are few and far between. The government has no control over private schools.
In terms of sex, French Guiana is not liberalized in any way. Although the law does permit divorce, the procedure is extremely difficult. Women who wish to remarry can do so with the permission of the government. However, in the rest of the country, women who want to take their husband to court have to prove that their husband is mentally incapacitated. If the court agrees, then the marriage will be annulled.
Two Chief Tenets
The French Guiana religion has two chief tenets. The first is the notion of the sacredness of the soil. All Guianas (French for Indians) are believed to be sacred by the government, and all foreigners are forbidden from entering the territory. The second is that the community is bound together by ties of blood, and that marriages between members of the community is always performed under the solemn affirmation that the marriage was consummated under tribal law.
Some Rules And Rituals
The government tolerates some minor sects, such as the Church of Santa Cruz, which is a Catholic church. The government also tolerates another closely-held religion, the Church of Santeria. This is a church which follows the Mayan religious calendar, with its emphasis on the sun and the elements. The Church of Santeria is considered to be heretical by the French Guiana government. There are no resident churches, and weddings are arranged within the church as opposed to outside.
Some of the people who follow the Guiana religion consider themselves to be “imbued” with the spirit of their ancestors by being transported to the place where they were born. They believe that this is where their ancestors lived before they were driven out. They are said to have come to earth through volcanic ash, and to have been nourished there until they finally became what they are today. They believe that their ancestors left behind a written language, a language which can still be heard today across the isolated communities. These communities speak a unique dialect of Quechua, which is their native language.
Conclusion
The French Guiana religion has been a cause of conflict between the French and the indigenous tribes. Some groups consider themselves to be French, and other groups consider themselves to be indigenous. They have fought for years in an attempt to gain land. Although there has been a peace treaty in place since 1960, fighting still occurs on a regular basis.
