Mark Manley

Documentary: Botanica

Botanicas are a visible "center of religion" for many Afro Caribbean based religions that are otherwise rarely seen and little understood outside of the immediate communities where they are practiced. Botanicas function as a kind of religious supply store and folk pharmacy, stocking herbs, roots, beads, statues of saints, candles, and other religious supplies catering to religions like Santeria, Espiritismo, Palo Mayombe and Voodoo. With the ever increasing immigrant population in New York, the demand for such religious supplies continues to grow. Although prevalent in communities with sizable Hispanic populations such as Harlem and Washington Heights, there are literally hundreds of botanicas scattered throughout all five boros of the city.

In 2007 Botanica Santa Ana, located in Washington Heights in upper Manhattan, was typical of the botanicas spreading through out the city.
   
The view through the front window of Botanica Santa Ana looking onto Broadway in Washington Heights.
   
Mambo Yvette, initiated High Priestess in Haitian Voodoo. Mambo Yvette and her husband Odalis own Botanica Santa Ana. Mambo Yvette is a native New Yorker whose parents immigrated from Santo Domingo. She practices traditional Dominican and Haitian Voodoo. She is also a mother in Palo Mayombe, and is well versed and practiced in Santeria.
     
  
Odalis behind the counter at Botanica Santa Ana. Odalis and his wife Yvette own the botanica.
   
Generally, botanicas are divided into two sections. A front retail section with display shelves and glass cases bursting with beads, powders, oils, candles, herbs, and other ritual materials for sale. A second private back area is used for consultation.
   
The back section is generally off limits to casual visitors. It usually contains several altars. It is used for private spiritual consultations, readings, and ceremonies performed by the spiritual leader affiliated with the botanica.At Botanica Santa Ana the private consultation area is in the basement below the store.
     
  
Mambo Yvette downstairs in the altar area where she conducts individual spiritual consultations and readings. It is a small windowless space bursting with color and energy from the murals and altars that adorn the room.
   
Detail of one of the altars downstairs at Botanica Santa Ana.
   
A portion of one of the murals that adorn the basement altar area at Botanica Santa Ana. A staff stands next to the mural.
     
  
Behind Mambo Yvette half empty rum bottles line the floor. They have been left as offerings to the Haitian Iwa spirit who protects iron workers. He is represented by the machete standing in the corner with the red bandana tied around it. Other altars are visible throughout the small windowless room.
   
Detail of one of the altars in the basement of Botanica Santa Ana.
   
Catholic statues share shelf space in the botanica with other ritual objects. The statues are used as surrogates to represent the Iwa (Haitian spirits) in Haitian Voodoo. The use of surrogates arose during the slave trade. African slaves in Haiti were forced to convert to Catholicism by their French masters. In response, the Africans appropriated Catholic imagery and rituals, creating surrogates for their own religious icons and practices. In this way, they were able to appease their Catholic masters while maintaining important links to their own religious beliefs and heritage.
     
  
Commonly, the retail space in a Botanica is tightly packed with shelves of candles,rosaries, blessed beads, washes, oils, crucifixes, statues, and other religious materials. Often these public retail spaces serve as informal community centers with local neighborhood people congragating in this area simply to socialize.
   
People come to the Botanica seeking consultation for problems of unemployment, or poor health, or they may want to purchase herbs or teas for home remedies. They may buy statues of favored saints to protect their jobs or family members, or want baths and sprays to bring good luck or prosperity in the home.
   
A patron at Santa Ana reflected in the lucite counter shelving. Behind him are rows of candles for sale.
     
  
A young girl looks out onto Broadway from the doorway of Botanica Santa Ana in Washington Heights. Behind her, patrons shop for amulets, folk medicines, statues and other religious materials.
   
Botanica Santa Rosa is located on 125th street in Harlem. Santa Rosa is a flower shop as well as a Botanica. Flowers and plants are often incorporated into rituals and alters in many Afro Caribbean religions.
   
Botanica Santa Rosa is both a flower shop and Botanica.
     
  
Botanicas sell folk medicines, amulets, and a vast array of mystical charms to the faithful.
   
An altar and offerings inside Botanica Santa Rosa. Native American imagery is sometimes incorporated into Santeria rituals.
   
A young man shops for beads at Santa Rosa.
     
  
Candles are a mainstay in any Botanica. The cultural diversity that is inherent in Botanicas is evident in the illustrations on these candles at Santa Rosa.
   
The window display at Botanica Santa Rosa reflects many diverse cultural sources.
   
The storeront window display at Botanica Santa Rosa in Harlem. Botanicas are a visible "center of religion" for a number of Afro Caribbean based religions that are otherwise rarely seen and little understood outside of the immediate communities where they are practiced.