Santeria: An African Religion in America

This book was very easy to read and insightful into a very misunderstood religion. While reading it, one feels very close to the rituals and traditions.

The author investigates the Santería religion in the USA. This is a Cuban version of traditional Yoruba religion with some other aspects of the traditional religion of the Congo and Fon peoples, all of whom brought their religious practices with them when brought as slaves to the Spanish regions of the New World. Santería is similar to Umbanda in Brazil. The slaves expressed their spirit religion in the form and guise of the Roman Catholic religion's prayers to the saints, with a saint standing for each of the African spirit-gods. This resulted in the Catholic Cult of the Saints. The author presents the African and Cuban background, giving historical and social factors and then probes the religion in the US, having been brought largely by the Cuban refugees after the Communist revolution in Cuba in 1959. Murphy lists the names of the original Yoruba gods, their role and character in the original religion, and the way these beliefs operate in the mystical possession cult of Santería.

This was the first actual book on Santeria I ever read, so I was almost completely ignorant about all aspects of Santeria and Ifa when I got it. Murphy started the book as a graduate student looking for something to write his dissertation about. A friend pointed him toward a respected babalawo in the Bronx, and Murphy began observing and participating in different rituals and ceremonies. Other reviewers point out that Murphy is not initiated into the religion, and they're right; he's not. Murphy even says that he's not initiated and can therefore only write about the parts of the religion he's familiar with. The beginning student of west African religion will get historical background on both the African and the Cuban branches of the faith, a basic understanding of the major orishas, the ori, or Yoruban concept of destiny, and an engaging personal account of Murphy's experiences with his padrino and ile. A scholar of west African religion would also find three more academically geared essays after the personal account dealing with how Santeria fits into the world as a whole. The book is interesting, readable, and a handy reference to have.

This book is well researched by someone who not only had the ability to penetrate the inner sanctum of Santeria society but who makes each reader feel as though they are actually in the room with him during meetings with each interviewee or witnessing ceremonies.

Dr. Murphy writes a good story. The book is a description of his personal experience in Santeria. It should be noted that he is not an initiate, but he writes in a sympathetic, informed and respectful way about the religion. Even though he is an academic, this book is written in a non-academic style. If you are curious about santeria it is a must read.