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Teachings of the Santería Gods: The Spirit of the Odu
The first book to explore the sacred myths of Santería
• Includes more than 100 myths, stories, and histories about the odu and the orishas
• Reassembles the oral fragments from the African diaspora into coherent stories
• Demonstrates that the African peoples, specifically the Yoruba, were deeply spiritual
At the core of the diloggún--the sacred divination system of Santería--are the sacred stories known as the patakís, narratives whose themes are as powerful and relevant today as they were in the minds of the ancient Yoruba who safeguarded them. Each patakí is connected to one or more of the 16 odu, the principal creative forces of Santería. Some recount the lives of orishas on earth, others the lives of individuals in heaven, and some tell of the odu themselves, for even they once walked the earth as mortals.
The first book to explore these ancient African stories in English, Teachings of the Santería Gods recounts more than 100 of these sacred parables, including many stories reassembled from the oral tradition of the African diaspora. Ranging from creation myths to what happens when a love potion works far too well, these stories share the wisdom and spirituality of the Yoruba people of ancient Africa and form the living, oral bible of one of the world’s fastest-growing faiths.
• Includes more than 100 myths, stories, and histories about the odu and the orishas
• Reassembles the oral fragments from the African diaspora into coherent stories
• Demonstrates that the African peoples, specifically the Yoruba, were deeply spiritual
At the core of the diloggún--the sacred divination system of Santería--are the sacred stories known as the patakís, narratives whose themes are as powerful and relevant today as they were in the minds of the ancient Yoruba who safeguarded them. Each patakí is connected to one or more of the 16 odu, the principal creative forces of Santería. Some recount the lives of orishas on earth, others the lives of individuals in heaven, and some tell of the odu themselves, for even they once walked the earth as mortals.
The first book to explore these ancient African stories in English, Teachings of the Santería Gods recounts more than 100 of these sacred parables, including many stories reassembled from the oral tradition of the African diaspora. Ranging from creation myths to what happens when a love potion works far too well, these stories share the wisdom and spirituality of the Yoruba people of ancient Africa and form the living, oral bible of one of the world’s fastest-growing faiths.
335 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 24, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 17, 2020
Love the stories in this!
There were some patakis (mythological stories) that I had heard in one form or another, but had forgotten over the years, but most of the stories I read were new to me.
At some point, I started skimming a bit, looking for stuff that would catch me eye.
This isn't a traditional book with a start and an end. This is probably better suited for reference or to maybe read one story at a time now and then.
There were some patakis (mythological stories) that I had heard in one form or another, but had forgotten over the years, but most of the stories I read were new to me.
At some point, I started skimming a bit, looking for stuff that would catch me eye.
This isn't a traditional book with a start and an end. This is probably better suited for reference or to maybe read one story at a time now and then.
February 14, 2021
Very informative
I liked this book. It helped put a lot of what I heard about the Orishas and Santeria into perspective.
I liked this book. It helped put a lot of what I heard about the Orishas and Santeria into perspective.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews