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.