Customer Reviews

Santeria Garments and Altars: Speaking Without a Voice (Folk Art and Artists)

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So many books on Santeria write about theology and rituals and forget about the visual beauty of the religion. This book captures the beauty of the visual arts Santeria. The authors have included many, many photographs of Thrones of the Orishas, that is, shrines decorated with colored cloths. If you want to learn about rituals or theolgy, this is not the book. But, if you want to see the colors and creativity of the folk art aspect of Santeria, then you will thouroughly enjoy it.

From the point of view of a new Olorisa, (initiated Priestess) Santeria Garments and Alters was like a breath of fresh air in an environment which usually does little to support Traditional religious practises. The photographs are honouring to our Orisas and beautifully done. The authors tell the story of the creation of the works of art designed to pay homage to the Orisas in a way in which both the aleyo (non-initiated) and the experienced Olorisa may understand. Santeria Garments and Alters is a "must-have" for anyone who must build alters or other sacred spaces as well as for those who seek to learn about the artistic nature of our rich spiritual Tradition. Iyawo Omi Saide

I think this is the only book dedicated to the materials used in the Thrones of the Orishas as well as the Traje De Galas, Beautiful pictures of panios, coronas, ceremonial vestments. Informative. This is a good book for the curious who would like to see what our sacred initiation garments, Shrines, and altar items look like. Smnall into to some of the Orisha as venerated in Santeria.

This is not traditional ceremonial clothing as used in Yorualand, but that of the Lucumi Ocha followers of the New World. And let me stress, that the garments and thrones, are an Art Form in themselves. Beautiful Pictures.

If you are interested in Santeria and the garments utilized in ceremonies, this is the book for you. You will not see these garments elsewhere. The author is a very well recognized santero and the pictures are stunning. The information presented is geared to a nonpractitioner of this tradition. Forget whatever you have heard about Santeria; this is the real thing.

This book is highly recommended for people (both new and old) interested in exploring one of the largest and fastest growing African Diasporic Religions (Lukumi/Santeria). Full of beautiful pictures of actual costumes, plazas and thrones. This book would also be of interest to students studying anthropology, comparative religion, ethnic art, etc. New or used, the price paid for this little piece of work is money well spent.