Customer Reviews

Nature's Ancient Religion: Orisha Worship & Ifa

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Books written by Lukumi Babakawos are a rare event but this book makes for an even rarer event due to the fact that the author's first language is English. The great irony is that the author's great paternal grandfather was Head of the Orange Order in Northern Ireland!

This book is informative in a variety of ways but principally in the semi autobiographical manner that it discusses the stages of evolution from the author as a disinterested Aleyo to his initiation, as a Babalawo. The basics of Orisha worship are covered in a competent and interesting manner that is good for beginners.

Along the way we get glimpses into the current state of affairs in Cuba leading up to his initiations. As a "Yuma" (Virtually expatriate American living in Cuba), he is writing with a degree of inside knowledge into the current state of affairs that many expatriate Cubans no longer have access to. The author is at pains to state throughout that he is a new Babalawo that is repeating aspects of his elder's teachings but makes a decent effort to introduce the orisha from a standpoint that only a Babalawo can truly make. Unfortunately here lies my only criticism is that I disagree with the gender assigned to certain orisha such as Odudua for example, but if this agrees with the teaching of his house then so be it. The essence of the underlying message in the Pataki quoted, for me remains intact.

The final chapter is a frank discussion on the popular current books available in the USA on the religion.

Excellent read!!! I'm a keen follower of environmental issues, not very religious but spiritual. I bought this book because I liked the book cover LOL. I'm glad I did. I liked it so much that I am writing my first review here. The concepts are neat(cept for sacrifice). The respect the religion has for nature is something I like. I wish we as Americans could vacation in Cuba as a tourist. I feel like I am getting screwed by my government not letting me visit. I felt I was in Havana with Mr. King at his ceremonies. Five Stars is my rating.

I didnt know what I expected from this book which was purchased for me April 16th for my Ocha birthday, a completion of my time as a new initiate into the Orisa priesthood of Oshun. I dived into this wonderful book written from a logical intelligent perspective and personal experience. The story telling is heartfelt and authentic and without diving into secrets of our process the book is still educational and inspiring.

There are two Cuba's: the one we as Americans view based on media biases, and the Real Cuba- that which is based on "man on the street" accounts. Charles Spencer King's work is an excellent example of this type of reporting, and it is filled with not just the candor he offers from his time spent there, but with an insight that we Americans wouldn't normally receive on this side of the bay. King offers an amazing view into an otherwise secretive religion, and does so in a way which allows the reader a basic and yet accurate understanding of it's beauty. Nature's Ancient Religion is a great read for a variety of reasons: it's insightful, funny, a little bit of History and Theology, as well as a

great read. The style in which it is written is very whole hearted and honest, and one can rarely get a book written with so much love these days. I was glad to have been able to get such detail on a country who time seems to have passed by. I believe that this book serves as a remarkable telling of a place where although time seems to have stood still, the lives and attitudes of it's inhabitants have kept the very fire that is Cuba very much alive. All around, I highly recommend this book.

Natures Ancient Religion is a book that discovers and discusses one of the most ancient Religions, Orisha Worship or IFA that was born in Africa and later pollinated to various parts of the world where Black slaves travelled along with their captors. IFA is a religion that worships nature in various elements. Being a nature lover and a Hindu whetted my interest to pick up this book and learn some more about this religion which is quite similar in some philosophies to Hinduism.

The author has very engagingly explained the various Pataki's (stories) about the various Gods and the lessons learnt from them which makes it quite interesting even to a non-believer outside the faith. This religion is unique from the others since it involves mathematical calculations during the divination process to predict an individuals' Odu or path they would take in life.

There were a few Gods and their avatars that have been discussed in this book. Two of my favorites were Shango & Oshun.

Shango - He's the Orisha of thunder and has the power of the fire. He's enigmatic in looks, vibrant and full of fun and married to Oya the Orisha of the wind and a warrior goddess. Shango is also the orisha of dance and his female counterpart is Oshun.

Oshun - She is the goddess of the river, gold, copper and sexuality and sexual desires. A la Aphrodite! She's the most beautiful Orisha who has enchanted almost all the male Orishas when she was single. She's unpredictable coz at one hand she's playful and carefree and on the other hand she's selfless always putting others before her. The mighty wise Orunmila (another powerful orisha) finally managed to contain her robust energy.

One thing that leaves me cold however is the animal sacrifices to appease the various gods. One of the branches in Hinduism too has this practice that I stay away from. My argument is based on Logic. If God made animals and nature...why would he want man to kill his own creation to appease him?

Lastly, the author comes across as a well read individual who was claimed by the Orishas by a series of events that happened in his life and convinced him that his Odu (path) was to spread this religion's message far & wide. I'm hopeful that he takes this crusade to a higher level and interprets the true meaning of this beautiful religion. The environment and Nature need beliefs like these to encourage its followers to respect what we have and how fast we can lose it.

Pick up this book if you are interested in Religion and Anthropology. There are some great discussions that tickles the mind :)

I have read a few other books on the Ifa religion, and there is much about that complex worldview that confuses me. Charles King writes about the religion of Ifa and the oracle of Ifa in a down-to-earth kind of way that makes for interesting reading as well as for a deepened understanding. I cannot say that I now have a firm grasp of what the Ifa religion is all about, but I understand more than I did before I read the book.

The only criticism I have is that sometimes the author gets too involved discussing things that have little or nothing to do with the main gist of what the book is about. But, that is a minor complaint.

I wish that Charles King would write a second book about Ifa, one consisting mostly of personal experiences and benefits by people who put the religion of Ifa to practice in their daily lives. I would be the first in line to buy such a book.

For anyone who has an interest in Ifa, I do not see how you could fail to profit from this extremely informative explanation of it.

fantastic read. anyone who wants to understand orisha worship from the outside looking in needs this book.

This book does not live up to its hype. The author revels in his role as an American who flaunts the US embargo to Cuba. He brags about purchasing top services for a pittance because he has dollars, and about golfing the day after an important ritual. His undergoing the Ifa initiation and the knife ceremony so close in time to each other raises concerns about his knowledge of the tradition. He identifies the center of the Yoruba universe as the city of "Ife Ile" - the correct name is "Ile Ife." His description of the religion seems to be culled from popular English-language books, specifically the works of Migene González-Wippler. He lists a book about the Micronesian island of Ponape in his bibliography - a book that has nothing to do with orisha. Not worth your time.

is a great book that helped me learn more about this culture, I am a beginner and helped me a lot. I also know about the author and about Cuba and its customs. is revealing in many ways and I am very grateful that the author decided to tell his story. gives a very good guide to continue.

Many books have been written on this topic. This book is by far unlike the books that give vague accounts from witnesses of a secret ceremony or list of the Orisha and their attributes. This book is the author's personal account with Ifa and he brings it to us in a voice unparalleled by other attempts on the same subject. He holds nothing back. The reader clearly understands his experiences and his message. He uses humor and feels real which makes the book easy to read and follow. I strongly reccomend this book to anyone studying Orisha and Ancestor worship. You will never regret your purchase nor find another like it. Ashe.