Surviving Colonialism
Exploring the Survival of African and Afro-Caribbean Spiritual Beliefs in Diaspora
​I am a scholar in the field of religious studies.
My primary passion is to document and comprehend how people articulate their religious convictions in their daily lives to help them move from surviving to thriving.
My research focuses on engaging in dialogue with individuals for whom religion and spirituality are fundamental to their identity and well-being.
My Work, My Perspective
Bidi Broderick, PhD
Hello, my name is Bidi. I consider myself ethnically Indian, geographically Caribbean, culturally British, and politically black. As I grew up in South London, my mother shared tales of Hindu deities such as Shiva, Ram, and Sita, alongside stories from 'back home' about spirits like "jumbi" and Obeah. Home was in the West Indies, a place where a blend of African, East Indian, and various other ethnicities and colonised peoples coexisted.
In London, I observed how individuals embraced their spiritual beliefs and how religion served as a crucial source of support in their daily lives, aiding them in navigating challenges and adversity. It was later, as a practicing psychotherapist, that I recognised the significant role religious and spiritual beliefs play in people's lives and their overall wellbeing. I started to explore the influence of spirituality and religion in the healing process and how individuals depended on their beliefs; be it Christianity, Islam, or a belief in witchcraft and spirits. Attending SOAS, where I earned a BA in the Study of Religion, offered an opportunity to delve deeper into African witchcraft and spirituality. which ultimately resulted in the attainment of my PhD.
The early stories served as a catalyst for my field research in Africa and the U.K. Engaging with individuals who embody their faith and listening to their narratives made me aware of the limited understanding surrounding African and African Caribbean spirituality, religious beliefs, and mental health among various ethnic groups in Diasporic communities in London and the UK. The key focus of my research was to engage with individuals in their own environments, to listen to their perspectives, to understand their stories, and to explore their personal spirituality.
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Religion and spirituality influence identities, communities, and reactions to life's adversities. My latest research examined the poetics and practice of indigenous beliefs of African and African Caribbean origins, including notions of witchcraft, and their persistence and diffusion within diasporic communities.
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I contest historical narratives and the impact of colonialism on African indigenous belief systems, aiming to dispel Western misconceptions and underscore the importance of these spiritual practices in contemporary society.
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My work challenges some of the misunderstandings and stereotypes prevalent in Christian churches, popular culture and public services. I propose a pathway toward a new understanding of African spirituality as a lived religion.
Research Focus
The Evolution of African Witchcraft as a Response to Misfortune
A Qualitative Study of African Spirituality in Nairobi, Kenya and Black Diasporic Communities in London, UK
This research challenges traditional frameworks in religious studies by shifting the focus from institutional doctrines to everyday spiritual practices. It explores:
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How ordinary individuals engage with spirituality, moving beyond the traditional emphasis on religious elites.
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The material and embodied aspects of spiritual practice, rather than limiting analysis to religious texts and doctrines.
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Sites of spirituality beyond formal institutions, recognising homes, marketplaces, and community spaces as vital to religious life.
By interrogating how African spirituality is understood, practised, and sometimes weaponised through accusations of ‘witchcraft,’ this work contributes to broader conversations on belief, power, and resistance.
Speaking Engagements
2025
Fifteenth International Conference on Religion & Spirituality in Society (Sapienza University of Rome)
Fragile Meanings: Vulnerability in the Study of Religions and Spirituality
Exploring how religions and spirituality can constitute a resource or a limit for the development of human relationships, intercultural dialogue, personal enhancement, and social justice.
2024
Eighth Caribbean Symposium on Genealogy and History (Anguilla Archaeological & Historical Society)
Witchcraft, African Spirituality and Obeah in UK Diasporic Communities
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2024
Oxford Symposium on Religious Studies
The Evolution of African Witchcraft as a Response to Misfortune
A Study of African Spirituality in Nairobi, Kenya and Black Diasporic Communities in London, UK