Santeria: The Religion: Faith, Rites, Magic

When the Yoruba of West Africa were brought to Cuba as slaves, they preserved their religious heritage by disguising their gods as Catholic saints and worshiping them in secret. The resulting religion is Santer a, a blend of primitive magic and Catholicism now practiced by an estimated five million Hispanic Americans. Blending informed study with her personal experience, Gonz lez-Wippler describes Santer a s pantheon of gods (orishas ); the priests (santeros ); the divining shells used to consult the gods (the Dilogg n ) and the herbal potions prepared as medicinal cures and for magic (Ewe ) as well as controversial ceremonies-including animal sacrifice. She has obtained remarkable photographs and interviews with Santer a leaders that highlight aspects of the religion rarely revealed to nonbelievers. This book satisfies the need for knowledge of this expanding religious force that links its devotees in America to a spiritual wisdom seemingly lost in modern society.

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
Published: 09/01/2002
ISBN: 9781567183290
Pages: 384
Weight: 1.25lbs
Size: 9.02h x 6.02w x 1.06d

Review Citations: Booklist 10/01/1997 pg. 349
Rec Ref Bks in Paperback 01/01/2000 pg. 235
ALA Ref Srces for Small/Med Li 01/01/2000 pg. 40