The 11th Katha Session was held at the India Foundation office on 26 February 2026 on the theme “Pirate Gods of the Caribbean.” The session was chaired by Mr. Côme Carpentier, Distinguished Fellow, India Foundation and witnessed the participation of 32 attendees.
The session was delivered by Ms. Ewa Sapieżyńska, a Polish–Norwegian writer, journalist, and scholar of Latin American studies. She holds a PhD in Social Sciences from Universidad de Chile and has written extensively on Latin America for publications in Norway and Poland.
In her presentation, Ms. Sapieżyńska focused on the religious and cultural traditions of Cuba and Venezuela. She explained how African deities became associated with Catholic saints through the process of religious syncretism, leading to the development of traditions such as Santería. She also discussed how the pantheon of saints has continued to evolve over time, incorporating political and historical figures alongside traditional religious icons.
The session provided participants with insights into the historical and cultural connections between Africa, Latin America, and Christianity in the Caribbean region. The presentation was followed by an interactive discussion, during which attendees engaged with the speaker on various aspects of religion, culture, and identity in Cuba and Venezuela.
