Osun Across the Waters : A Yoruba Goddess in

by Joseph M. Murphy (Editor), Mei-Mei Sanford (Editor)

Òsun is a brilliant deity whose imagery and worldwide devotion demand broad and deep scholarly reflection. Contributors to the ground-breaking Africa's Ogun, edited by Sandra Barnes (Indiana University Press, 1997), explored the complex nature of Ogun, the orisa who transforms life through iron and technology. Òsun across the Waters continues this exploration of Yoruba religion by documenting Òsun religion. Òsun presents a dynamic example of the resilience and renewed importance of traditional Yoruba images in negotiating spiritual experience, social identity, and political power in contemporary Africa and the African diaspora.

The 17 contributors to Òsun across the Waters delineate the special dimensions of Òsun religion as it appears through multiple disciplines in multiple cultural contexts. Tracing the extent of Òsun traditions takes us across the waters and back again. Òsun traditions continue to grow and change as they flow and return from their sources in Africa and the Americas.

Genres: Religion, Spirituality, Feminism

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[James F · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book about a Yoruba goddess; this collection of seventeen essays was more academically oriented. The first articles dealt with the role of Osun in Yoruba mythology and the various aspects ("roads") of her character and worship. Later articles traced her roles in the religions of the diaspora -- Santeria (Cuba), Candomble and Umbanda (Brazil) and Afro-American communities in the US -- and the relations between Osun and Christianity in Nigeria.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had some really interesting (and a few not-so-interesting) essays from various times, cultures, perspectives, etc.

There's also a bit of discussion about each of the five paths of Ochun, which was nice.