Santeria: The Beliefs and Rituals of a Growing Religion in America

Although I'm not a Santera, I do practice Santeria. I have a great respect for the religion and many of my friends are Santeras and Santeros. I picked up this book along with a few others to have a more clear understanding about the practice of this amazing religion. This book I loved. Although I've practiced some of it there was a lot I did not know or really understood. I found this book very informative. The way the author breaks down the information with charts is very helpful. It makes going back for any type of reference very easy.I recommend this book to anyone who is serious about understanding the practice and the religion. Now always keep in mind that there are several traditions depending on where you live and the culture. So there may be some rituals that seem different.

This book is really informative as it gives you a glimpse of the spiritual side. However what makes this gem stand out is that it explains Santeria from a scientific, scholarly viewpoint as well. It provides the spiritual symbolism and delves deep into it's origins and provides a great observation on the religion. It will be a great introduction ushering you into the great ways of the Orishas, and backing it with sound theroies that validate the Santeria as an equal religon to the major religons of the world.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.I read it on Kindle and knew I wanted a paper copy. A great basic introduction for anyone interested in Santeria. The book came in excellent condition.

Great book on the religion. Very clear. I come from a family with several Lucumi, but as a first-generation Cuban-American this book was invaluable as I began my path.

I love this book. It goes through history and discussed things simple. I used this for my research paper.

This is also a great book I could not put this down I read this twice already.

Santeria the Beliefs and Rituals of a Growing Religion in America is a well written book, but to be honestly it has all been written before. Nothing really new and if you already have two or three books on Santeria, then you are sure to have all the information that is within this book. The chapters are as follows.Santeria What is it? This goes into giving you a general idea of what Santeria is, a description of it's followers and members, a small description of it's initiations. It explains the Energy Ashe, and the Eggungun. "The Dead Ancestors."Chapter Two; gives you a few versions of the Patakis, "Folklores or Legends" of the Creation of the World. Other legends such as the Flood is also within this section. There are a few Charts within this section. One for the many names of God. A comparison chart of the Orishas with Roman and Greek Gods. A chart describing each Orishas major influence. Colors of the Orishas. Most Likely Children of the Orishas. And another chart on the Orishas and their Catholic Identities. (Saint Paths)Chapter Three, is a description of the Major Orishas, their attributes and their Patakis "Legend". Of the Orishas included are the major, Obatala, Eleggua, Oggun, Ochosi, Ochun, Chango, Yemaya, Aganju, Orunla, Osain, Babalu Aye, Oya, Orisa Oko, Osun, Inle, Obba and the Ibeji. Each gets a quick discription, and a legend, which really reminded me of Migene Gonzales Wippler's earlier works.In this chapter are more charts. Each deducted to a particular Orisha and their many "caminos" their avatars, roads or paths.Chapter 4 gives you a quick description or ceremonies and rituals, Bembe, Ilekes, Asiento, Ebbos and so on. Oh and more charts. (Days and Numbers of the Orishas) (Food offering for the Orishas) (Medical Properties of some plants) The author went a little chart crazy with this book. Again if you have two books on Santeria, you will not learn anything new.Chapter 5 touches quickly on Oracles used within Santeria. The Coco, the 16 Caracoles, Cowrie Shells, and the Table of Ifa. Oh and we can't forget the Chinese Numerology. Yep you read that correctly. Chinese Numerology.Chapter 6 and 7 gets boring with the History, and Roots. But if you have never picked up a book on Santeria and this is your first, then it is informative and you will learn something new. Again if you already have books on Santeria, trust me you have read it before.All in all the book is not a bad book if it is your first book on the Basic of Santeria. The religion is a beautiful experience, one you can not learn through any book. But I kind of wish that authors of Santeria books would right a bit more of their personal experiences, give us some flavor.I recommend this book to those who never read a ook on this beautiful and mysterious religion. But to those who are initiated or have other books on Santeria, trust me it has all been said over and over and over again.

This book is great it give u information about Santeria how it works