Graduation Year
2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
M.A.
Degree Name
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Degree Granting Department
Anthropology
Major Professor
Antoinette Jackson, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Dillon Mahoney, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Cheryl Rodriguez, Ph.D.
Keywords
Cultural Preservation, Identity, Immigration, Pentecostalism, Transnationalism
Abstract
This study explores the role of African Pentecostal churches in preserving cultural traditions andshaping identities among African diaspora communities in the United States, focusing specifically on Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) and Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC) in Tampa, Florida. Through detailed participant observation and in-depth qualitative interviews, this thesis examines how rituals, religious practices, and community engagement within these churches facilitate cultural continuity and identity negotiation among Nigerian and Ghanaian immigrants. Findings reveal that these religious institutions serve as critical sites for resisting cultural erasure, navigating the complex tensions between maintaining African heritage and adapting to American society, and providing essential socio-economic support. Moreover, the study uncovers nuanced dynamics of gender roles, transnational connections, and perceptions of authenticity among diaspora congregants relative to homeland churches. This research contributes anthropologically by illuminating the intricate interplay of religion, culture, and migration, offering insights into how diasporic communities actively reconstruct and reaffirm their identities within multicultural communities.
Scholar Commons Citation
Awoyemi, Olamide T., "Cultural Continuity and Identity Preservation in Diaspora: The Role of African Pentecostal Churches in Maintaining Traditions within African Communities in the United States" (2025). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/10918
