Santeria: African Magic in Latin America [Paperback]

Migine Gonzalez-Wippler (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 9993613339 | ISBN-13: 978-9993613336 | Publication Date: June 1992

Includes legends, rituals and ceremonies,magical practices, natural magic, the Seven African Powers, black magic and magic spells.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Original Pubns (June 1992)
• ISBN-10: 9993613339
• ISBN-13: 978-9993613336
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,848,386 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars This is a fascinating work of Plagarism, August 16, 2003

By 

Al Rodriguez (Miami, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Santeria: African Magic in Latin America (Paperback)

This book is nothing more than a companion to Lydia Cabrera's work, El Monte, except nothing is mentioned about this author. The stories, the anecdotes, even the pictures are the same ones found in that book! The reason why most people consider this an excellent work is that they can't read Spanish! One of the few original chapters which is on Palo is totally repulsive to me. As a santero and palero I am offended to read that all of us are evil according to Ms. Cabrera. I have met some Paleros that are kind, loving, and very good people while I know of some pretty nasty santeros that don't practice palo at all. Just a humble opinion from a Cuban who "made saint" in Cuba, you are better off staying away from this book. While most books on santeria written in english leave something to be desired, You might be better with Raul Canizares, At least the writing is original and not plagarized. Ache to all on the path.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good Santeria book., June 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Santeria: African Magic in Latin America (Paperback)

I read this book before my initiation into Santeria over five years ago. I've been actively practicing the religion ever since and have undergone may initiation thereafter. I have to say when I first read this book that I did not know much about Santeria. I am very glad to have read the book as I was able to relate its contents with my own experiences as I got exposed to this beautiful and profound religion. Mrs Wippler's "Santeria: The Religion" is quite consistent with my own experience and practice in Santeria. It is an excellent and comprehensive premier book, and it certainly does not deserve the negative criticism that it has received from certain individuals--who, in my opinion, are over-protective of the religion and supporters of the notion that the religion must be kept secret. About reading any Santeria book, one has to realize that each "Ile Ocha" has its own practices and customs, so there are even disgreement among very experienced Santeros on certain principles and practices within the religion. In general, this is a great book and it gives fair information about Santeria. I highly recommended it.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a fascinating book., June 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Santeria: African Magic in Latin America (Paperback)

This is a fascinating book about the author's personal experiences with Santeria. I have read many of Ms Gonzalez-Wippler's books on the subject and this is one of the best and most famous. There seems to be a great deal of resentment towards this author's work on Santeria mostly because she has been the most popular writer on the religion. As an intiate in the Religion and an educator, I consider her work ground breaking because she was the first to identify the orishas as archetypes of the collective unconscious. She was also the first to write about it in the English language. Her books are used as required reading in universities around the world.Most of the "negative" reviews about her seem to come from the same people. The same names keep coming up in the comments about her work. This is a sad commentary on the people who claim to love and practice Santeria and they should know better. The Orishas do.