Biblio-Discography
Santería
The Encyclopedia of Religion, editor-in-chief Mircea Eliade (Macmillan, 1986) This multivolume set is an invaluable reference for Sound & Spirit research. We checked out article on "Santería" by Joseph M. Murphy; and while it was very short (a little over a page and a half), the bibliography was invaluable and steered us towards our best printed sources.
America's Alternative Religions, edited by Timothy Miller (SUNY, 1995) More than a simple reference book, this collection of concise essays is an invaluable introduction to the religious diversity of the United States of America. It includes a short essay, "Santería and Vodou in the United States" by Joseph M. Murphy, that outlines similarities and differences between the two religions, and which tells of their growth and movement in the cities of the United States. Useful notes and a short bibliography.
Santería: An African Religion in America, by Joseph M. Murphy (Beacon, 1988) We haven't tracked a copy of this book down yet; but Murphy was engaged to write both the entry on Santería in the Encyclopedia of Religion and the article in America's Alternative Religions, and so we are still trying to get ahold of a copy.
Santería: The Religion - Faith, Rites, Magic, by Migene González-Wippler (Llewellyn, 1989) In 1998, a second edition of this book received its third printing; the preface to the new edition reminds us of the 1995 Supreme Court decision in favor of the Santerían church, whose traditional animal sacrifices had been prohibited by a local government. The author, a cultural anthropologist and initiate of Santería herself, has been working to inform others about the religion since her first book Santería: African Magic in Latin America was published in 1973. While her earlier books are still in print, this 1998 second edition is perhaps the best introduction to her work; we found it to be a rich resource, well organized and very accesible.
Cuban Santería - Walking with the Night, by Raul Canizares (Destiny, 1993/ 1999) Cuban-born and initiated at age seven, the author speaks from life long experience within Santería. A former university professor, Canizares now heads a temple in Manhattan and believes the codes of secrecy and silence should be relaxed to facilitate better understanding of the religion. His book is a very personal introduction to Santería; a number of the author's drawings, brightly colored paintings and photographs add a richness and depth to the text.
"Posessed by Santería - A New Generation Embraces a Secred Faith", by Ed Morales with Photographs by Joe Rodriguez (The Village Voice, March 19, 1996, Vol. XLI No.12) An interesting, moderate length article with photographs and numerous anecdotes about various persons' experience of Santería.
"A faith emerges from the shadows", an article by Alisa Valdés (Boston Globe, Thursday, December 15, 1994) In a feature article in the Living/Arts section, the author explores the growth of Santería in the Boston area. Interviews with a santero (a priest), along with side bars looking at a Botanica (religious goods store), three Santerían "spells" - and profiles of two ordinary followers of the Santerían way.
The Pope in Cuba: Challenges of Faith and Politics, (New York Times INTERNATIONAL Sunday, January 25, 1998) Including an article by Larry Rohter "Pope Carries His Message to the 'Rome' of an Afro-Cuban Faith". Pope John Paul II visited Cuba in January of 1998 and celebrated a mass in Santiago de Cuba at the Basilica of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre - the Patroness of Cuba who is also seen as Ochún, Yoruban goddess of rivers, love and joy. The article explores the differing approaches to resolution of this tension among believers of various sorts.
World Music: The Rough Guide, Simon Broughton et al, editors (Rough Guides Ltd., 1994) Another indispensable Sound & Spirit reference book: Que Rico Gailo Yo! ["How Well I Dance!": The Cuban Music Scene] is the article we consulted which touches on the relationship between Santería and various forms of Cuban music.
HOME | About the Series | Programs | Stations and Times
Feedback | Above and Beyond | Sound & Spirit Albums | Listen Online
Sound & Spirit | WGBH Boston | Public Radio International