Understanding Botanicas and Their Role

Botanicas are vital spiritual shops in NYC, blending Catholicism with Caribbean, Native American, and African beliefs. Santa Marta Botanica in West Harlem, run by Cookie and his wife, offers products like 'milk of the D woman' for love. Benny, a CIA practitioner, contrasts CIA's positive spirituality with Voodoo. Despite rising rents and demographic changes, Cookie and Ruia aim to continue their business.

What is the primary focus of botanicas in New York City?

• Selling traditional medicines

• Providing spiritual solutions

• Offering educational workshops

• Selling local art

What is the main reason people visit botanicas?

• To buy groceries

• To find spiritual solutions

• To attend community events

• To learn about history

What is the 'milk of the D woman' used for?

• Improving health

• Attracting wealth

• Enhancing love

• Boosting intelligence

What cultural influences are combined in the practice of CIA?

• Catholicism, Native American, and African

• Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam

• Taoism, Shinto, and Confucianism

• Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

How does Benny view the practice of CIA?

• As a purely African tradition

• As a negative influence

• As a positive approach aligned with Catholicism

• As a form of Voodoo

Who manages the spiritual aspect of the botanica business?

• Ruia

• Benny

• Santa Marta

• Cookie

What role did Benny have in the Dominican Republic related to CIA?

• A spiritual healer

• A Catholic priest

• A botanica owner

• A Canto and seminarist

What is a significant challenge faced by botanicas in West Harlem?

• Lack of interest from the community

• Rising rent prices

• Shortage of spiritual products

• Competition from online stores

What is the future plan of the botanica owners despite the challenges?

• To close the shop

• To relocate to another city

• To continue operating

• To expand their business