Santeria: African Spirits in America

by Joseph M. Murphy

Santería  represents the first in-depth, scholarly account of a profound way of wisdom that is growing in importance in America today. A professional academic and himself a participant in the Santería   community of the Bronx for several years, Joseph Murphy offers a powerful description and insightful analysis of this African/Cuban religion. He traces the survival of an ancient spiritual path from its West African Yoruba origins, through nearly two centuries of slavery in the New World, to its presence in the urban centers of the United States, where it continues to inspire seekers with its compelling vision.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, History, Occult, Anthropology, Africa

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[C · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book for anyone interested in Santeria, African American or Latino culture/history or in religion in general. The book is split into three sections - the first details the history, the second is a narrative introducing the religion itself and the third goes over the cultural impacts and purposes of the religion. That final section was fairly dry and many readers may decide not to bother (I almost didn't) but has alot to offer if you can get through it.

[Mina Villalobos · Rating 4 out of 5]

An overview of Santeria and it's Yoruba roots for the uninitiated, this book is divided into several sections that make the understanding of the theme easier.

There's a section on the African roots of the religion, and the cultural and social environment that sustained that way of worship. There's another section on Cuba, and how the religion had to change as the cultural and social environment changed as once-free men were brought to the country as slaves and 'converted' to Catholicism. There's then a section on the move to the US, how everything changes again, and a lot is told by the authors anecdotes.

The analysis of the book on how and why the religion survived and mutated is very interesting, how Catholicism and African culture had an uncomfortable marriage that has been easing over the years. This is a very respectful book, and very informative, it makes a lot of emphasis on understanding the cultural circumstances that make Santeria what it is and why it is different from other African/Catholic Latin American religions like Haitian Voodoo or Brazilian Candomble.

Definitely a very interesting look into Santeria, and it has a very good bibliography to look further into the themes. Only thing I wish this book had had a bit more of, though I guess that would be material for another book entirely, were Orisha stories and myths, as I feel like I barely got to know the Orishas through this book.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to the Santeria religion which combines both anecdotes and clearer explanation, but which realistically has some dissension due to its telling from the viewpoint of an outsider.

[Mel Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the uninitiated, a super informative and respectful, not to mention really interesting, journey. Good bibliography too.

[Lily Mordaunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Course Requirement That I Enjoyed

I enjoyed this book. I thought the information about Santeria was thorough, though I still understand that it is very much an overview. I also enjoyed the authors musings on being white, and how that plays into his own understanding of the religion.

[A Dave]

I thought I was going to get more about the religion here but I didn't. I also think that the POV of the writer didn't give me much insight. I also hated that when he called on researchers he used non black or non cuban researchers so they also have an outsider approach. He mentioned Melville Herskovits and his book The Myth of The Negro Past (1941) where the book sought to dispel "the widely held notion that black Americans were a people without a past and, thus, without culture of dignity". As if there are no researchers of African descent that could have provided the same insight I tried but I think I will be getting more books on Yoruba from persons who are more spiritually involved.

[Laura Phelan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book provided a basic understanding of a spirituality I knew nothing about, except by name. I wish it had sparked a passion in me to learn more, but unfortunately, no such experience. Pretty boring book.

[Francesca Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction to the history and basic rituals. At many points the book left me wanting more.

[Cookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book gives a good amount of information for anyone to build an understanding for this religion.