Afro-Cuban Myths: Yemaya and Other Orishas
Product Description
by Romulo Lachatanere, Christine Ayorinde, Siegfried Kaden (Illustrator), Christine Ayorinde (Translator)
"The essay "The Afro-Cuban Festival 'Day of the Kings'" by Fernando Ortiz, founder of Afro-Cuban studies, describes how, as in Brazil, Catholic priests and the colonial government as early as 1573 allowed and encouraged the African slaves to celebrate Epiphany, the Festival of the Three Kings...Free people joined in and the dances, music and costumes paraded by the various eyewitnesses demonstrate how early and how immense were the African contributions to what was to become the carnival of the African Diaspora.
Review:
"A collection of myths from the Yoruba branch of Afro-Cuban religions, the Spanish original of this book (1938) was a pioneer publication in the field. Lachatanere interviewed a practitioner of the most widespread Afro-Cuban religion; taking special care to maintain the oral style in the development of the stories, he reveals the freshness of the narrator's perspective as he outlines the cosmological fabric created by the encounter of the African people with the Catholic religion. The book includes stories of important deities, that will help the reader understand the conceptual world of the believers. Those interested in learning about Afro-Cuban music, art, and poetry will find in this translation an introductory manual to the language, certain foods used in ceremonies, and the role of divination and figures such as the trickster. Jorge Castellanos, a scholar who has published widely on the influence of African culture on Cuban society, provides an introduction that places the author's work in its social and cultural context. The volume includes a short glossary and a selection of songs and prayers dedicated to the deities. Summing up: Recommended. General readers." รข O.B. Gonzalez, Loyola University for Choice Magazine
"Carnival in Santiago...here, with her (Bettelheim's) own two essays, the anthology really comes to life." -- African Arts
"Thirty-six illustrations from the original Spanish Ortiz edition and twenty-six field photographs by Judith Bettelheim...help immeasurably to bring these little-known secular rituals to life." -- New West Indian Guide
This invaluable anthology...is required reading for those interested in Cuba's history, religious forms, and popular culture. --Cuba Update
"Carnival in Santiago...here, with her (Bettelheim's) own two essays, the anthology really comes to life." -- African Arts
"Thirty-six illustrations from the original Spanish Ortiz edition and twenty-six field photographs by Judith Bettelheim...help immeasurably to bring these little-known secular rituals to life." -- New West Indian Guide
This invaluable anthology...is required reading for those interested in Cuba's history, religious forms, and popular culture. -- Cuba Update
Paperback: 180 pages
Review:
"A collection of myths from the Yoruba branch of Afro-Cuban religions, the Spanish original of this book (1938) was a pioneer publication in the field. Lachatanere interviewed a practitioner of the most widespread Afro-Cuban religion; taking special care to maintain the oral style in the development of the stories, he reveals the freshness of the narrator's perspective as he outlines the cosmological fabric created by the encounter of the African people with the Catholic religion. The book includes stories of important deities, that will help the reader understand the conceptual world of the believers. Those interested in learning about Afro-Cuban music, art, and poetry will find in this translation an introductory manual to the language, certain foods used in ceremonies, and the role of divination and figures such as the trickster. Jorge Castellanos, a scholar who has published widely on the influence of African culture on Cuban society, provides an introduction that places the author's work in its social and cultural context. The volume includes a short glossary and a selection of songs and prayers dedicated to the deities. Summing up: Recommended. General readers." รข O.B. Gonzalez, Loyola University for Choice Magazine
"Carnival in Santiago...here, with her (Bettelheim's) own two essays, the anthology really comes to life." -- African Arts
"Thirty-six illustrations from the original Spanish Ortiz edition and twenty-six field photographs by Judith Bettelheim...help immeasurably to bring these little-known secular rituals to life." -- New West Indian Guide
This invaluable anthology...is required reading for those interested in Cuba's history, religious forms, and popular culture. --Cuba Update
"Carnival in Santiago...here, with her (Bettelheim's) own two essays, the anthology really comes to life." -- African Arts
"Thirty-six illustrations from the original Spanish Ortiz edition and twenty-six field photographs by Judith Bettelheim...help immeasurably to bring these little-known secular rituals to life." -- New West Indian Guide
This invaluable anthology...is required reading for those interested in Cuba's history, religious forms, and popular culture. -- Cuba Update
Paperback: 180 pages
