The author recounts her journey from ignorance and skepticism to initiation as a Yoruba priestess in the Santeria religion. B/w illus, index, ix, 292pp, USA. BALLANTINE.

2002 0345421558 Paperback

Argues that there is a common consciousness within the religious and social systems of people of African descent everywhere, from the Akan to Kush the Spiritual Onyame. Bib, illus, 214pp, UK. FILAMENT PUBLISHING.

A portrayal of black faith over 500 years from the founding fathers of Abyssinia's royal house to the hidden 'hush harbours; of black captives in the American southland. Index, bib, notes, xiii, 180pp, USA. AFRICA WORLD PRESS, 1592210198

Offers a combination of personal, historical and solicitous accounts on Ifa, the Yoruba divination deity. Using sites in Nigeria and the United States, Eason reveals various aspects of the religious practices and festivals that are associated with this important deity. As he narrates his first hand observations and insertions into the inner sanctuaries of divination, he offers remarkable insights on ancient elements of Ifa worship and practices in Ile Ife and their contemporary rebirth among African Americans. 240pp, USA. AFRICA WORLD PRESS.

Traces the visual cultures and histories of Mami Wata and other African water divinities. Mami Wata, often portrayed with the head and torso of a woman and the tail of a fish, is at once beautiful, jealous, generous, seductive, and potentially deadly. A water spirit widely known across Africa and the African diaspora, her origins are said to lie 'overseas', although she has been thoroughly incorporated into local beliefs and practices. She can bring good fortune in the form of money, and her power increased between the 15th and 20th centuries, the era of growing international trade between Africa and the rest of the world. 227pp, USA. UCLA FOWLER MUSEUM OF CULTURAL HISTORY.

Explores the diasporic connections of the African Hebrew Israelites, a spiritual movement of African Americans who have traced their roots to Zion. With the successful establishment of model communities in Israel and Ghana they have built up a framework for repatriation to the 'Motherland'. The resulting constructions of ethnic and cultural identity are the subjects of this book. It also sheds light on the ideological concepts of other communities that travel the same waters as the New Ship of Zion, such as the Rastafarians. Foreword by Werner Zips. 144pp, GERMANY. LIT VERLAG.

An examination of the influence of Yoruba Culture in the wider African Diaspora. Orisa, the Nigerian pantheistic worship tradition, is widespread over not just the African continent but much of the globe. With millions of Orisa practitioners in the world, Yoruba gods are very much alive and form part of the Nigerian and Yoruba Diasporan religious experience. The essays included cover a wide range of subjects, including divination; the practice of Santeria; festivals and songs; the creation of Orisa-based communities within the United States; and the globalisa-tion of cults. 468pp, USA. AFRICA WORLD PRESS.

This volume brings together contributions from well known Rastafari practitioners and social scientists as a counter to the unilateral politics of outside definition, identification, and misrepresentation. They discuss Rastafari as an experiential philosophy; its historical and contemporary global cultural dimensions and its contribution to issues such as de-colonization, reparations and repatriation. 332pp, JAMAICA. IAN RANDLE PUBLISHERS.

Focuses on the arts, rituals, and religions associated with Mami Wata deities in Africa and the African diaspora. Mami Wata, pidgin English for Mother Water, is a beautiful, seductive water spirit who brings wealth and good fortune to those she favours. Practices associated with winning her favour, widespread in West Africa and the Black Atlantic diaspora, are explored in 46 rich and perceptive essays by an international group of scholars and practitioners. This book addresses the diversity of belief and practice, audiences, gender, reception, hybridity, commodification, globalization, dispersal, and religious mutation of Mami Wata rituals. It includes more than 129 images and a supplemental DVD featuring nearly 500 images, a photographic essay, and video clips of Mami Wata rituals. 681pp, USA. INDIANA UNIVERSITY PRESS.

Combining art, anthropology and history the author shows how the practice of Santeria has developed from its West African roots to form new aspects of religious practice in the face of relentless oppression in South and North America. Well illustrated with b/w photographs and colour plates. Index, gloss, notes, xx, 413pp, USA. CHICAGO U P, 0226076105

2003 Paperback

A study of the Afro Cuban religion that sprang from the contact between Christianity and West African religions. With more than a million adherents in the US today, the author explains the myths, rituals and worldview of this fast growing religion. 258pp, USA. EERDMANS PUBLISHING COMPANY.

An examination of African-derived and African-centred traditions in historical and contemporary Jamaica: Myal, Obeah, Native Baptist, Revival/Zion, Kumina, and Rastafari. BNS, 351pp, USA. OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS USA.

Black and white graphic novel version of Yoruba cosmology. 54pp, UK. PERFORMANCE II.

An introduction to Yoruba religion and philosophy showing how orisa energy can support personal and professional goals. Illustrated with b/w images. Index, 188pp, USA. HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS.

The Nigerian diaspora is now world-wide, and when Yoruba travel, they take with them their religious organizations. As a member of the Cherubim and Seraphim church in London for over thirty years, anthropologist Hermione Harris explores a world of prayer, spirit possession, and divination through dreams and visions. Through their religious practice, church members enlist the Holy Spirit to defend themselves against witchcraft and evil spirits, and make a success of their lives. 304pp, UK. PALGRAVE.