Voodoo and African Traditional Religion
By: Lilith Dorsey, Sen Elias (Foreword by)
Paperback | 1 June 2021
At a Glance
230 Pages
22.86 x 15.24 x 1.32
Paperback
$32.23
Aims to ship in 7 to 10 business days
Reclaim the Ancestral Traditions of African Religion!
In these times of intense turmoil, people of African descent are facing serious threats to their well-being. The ability of Black communities to call on the spirits and ways of their ancestors is crucial to their continued strength. Nearly 20 years have passed since the first printing of this landmark book and there is still a great need for more accurate and respectful information about ancestral beliefs that have been misrepresented, misunderstood, and maligned by popular media and the public.
This revised and expanded edition provides a helpful introduction to African diaspora religions, a guide beyond the basic tenets to the vibrant, living spirit world of these peoples, and a much-needed key to protocol and proper etiquette, while clearing up common myths about Haitian Vodou, New Orleans Voodoo, Santeria (Lucumi), and other practices that stem from misconceptions about possession and sacrifice. New material includes guidance for activists to empower their work for social change with the fierceness, tenacity, and wisdom of their ancestors, as well as never-before-published recipes handed down through the generations, personal spells and charms including root magick for protection and protest, and devotional rituals you can perform yourself.
Lilith Dorsey, M.A. hails from numerous Afro-Caribbean and Indigenous American spiritual traditions with training and initiations in Santeria (also known as Lucumi), Haitian Vodoun, and New Orleans Voodoo. Their traditional education focused on Plant Science, Anthropology, and Film at the University of R.I, New York University, and the University of London.
Industry Reviews
"I highly recommend Voodoo and African Traditional Religion to anyone who wishes to learn the sacred stories and practices associated with the religions of our Ancestors."
-Denise Alvarado, author of The Magic of Marie Laveau and Witch Queens, Voodoo Spirits, and Hoodoo Saints: A Guide to Magical New Orleans
"Lilith Dorsey incorporates history, instruction, and practical guidance for anyone wishing to learn more about African and African American religions and magic ... an excellent resource that addresses the current turn to ancient spiritual wisdom to confront some of our most pressing societal needs."
-Yvonne Chireau, Professor of Religion at Swarthmore College and author of Black Magic: Religion and the African American Conjuring Tradition
"Often misunderstood and ostracized, the religions of the African diaspora are examples of tolerance, problem-solving, peace, and cooperation between different cultures, nations, and beliefs. A well-known, respected Priestess, Lilith Dorsey offers a simple but deep approach for the reader on the fastest growing underground religions of our times."
-Manuel Congo, Global Ethnologist and author of The Lucumi Tarot
"Lilith writes knowledgeably from the perspective of both a long-term scholar and from lived experience as a priestess. It is always refreshing to discover a new resource that replaces misconceptions about these much-maligned and sensationalized religions with respectful information focused on the beautiful, life-affirming qualities of spiritual practices that have helped people find hope, healing, and survival."
-Manbo Asogwe Sallie Ann Glassman, co-creator of The New Orleans Voodoo Tarot, author of Vodou Visions, co-founder of The New Orleans Healing Center
"An enlightening and immersive guide full of helpful information for both beginners and longtime practitioners. Lilith does a great job of presenting a wide variety of intriguing facts and experiences that are sure to capture the interest of any soul that is seeking on their spiritual journey."
-Fatima Mbodj, author of the New Orleans Oracle Deck and proprietor of Path of Awakenings in New Orleans, Louisiana
"In the new edition of this seminal work, Lilith Dorsey's lens is much more provocative, feminist, and revolutionary. It retains the recipe book innocence of the original but is now closer to the Anarchist Cookbook than Betty Crocker."
-Baba Teddy, author of Absinthe, Alewives and Alchemy, Oso of Iyami Osoronga, BabaL'awo Osun I'L'ode, Oluwo of Odu/Ifa, and Konchante of Gineh Yoruba VoDou
"Lilith Dorsey remains one of the few black women to have become a prolific presenter across North America in both African Spiritual and Pagan communities as well as a best-selling author-a unique achievement for any person, and so Lilith truly stands alone. This truly sacred work is an honor to all those who came before who maintained and preserved the religions of the Diaspora."
-Witchdoctor Utu, founder of the Dragon Ritual Drummers and author of Conjuring Harriet "Mama Moses" Tubman and the Spirits of the Underground Railroad
"This book is like an immersion course in the rich history, culture, and spiritual offerings of traditional African religions. Lilith has not only crafted an informative and much-needed expert resource, dispelling misinformation and stigma around these sacred practices, they have also created a down-to-earth guidebook to empower readers in walking their own spiritual journey."
-Mecca Woods, Astrologer and author of Astrology for Happiness and Success
Contents
Acknowledgements XI
Foreword XVIII
Preface to the New Edition XXII
Introduction 1
Chapter One: Roots Old and New 12
The Orïsa 12
Sacred Art 20
Yoruba Calendar 21
Yoruban Sacred Stories 22
Yoruba Botanicals 23
Uncertain Future 24
Chapter Two: Haitian Vodou 25
Vodou History 26
The Lwa 26
Spirit Marriage 36
Political History 38
Vodou Art 38
Vodou Drumming and Dance 41
Vodou Trance-Possession 44
The Feast of the Yam 44
Vodou Magickal Items 45
Vodou Calendar 46
Vodou Words of the Wise 46
Vodou Botanicals 47
Vodou Beyond the Seas 48
Chapter Three: New Orleans Voodoo and Hoodoo 49
The Lwa 52
Hoodoo 56
The Saints Come Marching In 58
Divination 61
The Art 61
The Music 61
The Magickal Items 63
The Calendar 64
The Mythology 65
The Botanicals 66
Extend Yourself 67
Chapter Four: Santeria 69
Orisha 69
Santeria Drumming and Dance 80
Santeria Initiations 81
Divination 83
Palo Monte or Palo Mayombe 84
Santeria Calendar 85
Patakis 86
Santeria Botanicals and Stones 87
Persecution and Prosecution 88
Chapter Five: Shango and Obeah 90
Shango and Orisha 90
Obeah Traditions 92
Sacred Art of Trinidad and Belize 94
Shango and Obeah Calendar 94
Jamaican Folklore 95
Obeah Herbs 96
Futures and Fighting 97
Chapter Six: African Traditional Religion in Brazil 98
Candomble 98
Spiritism 103
Umbanda and Quimbanda 105
Afro-Brazilian Music and Dance 106
A Myth of Brazil 107
Calendar of Brazil 107
Botanicals of Brazil 108
A Religion Comes to Life 108
Chapter Seven: Shrines of Africa and Beyond 110
Altars and Shrines 110
Create an Ancestor Shrine 117
Chapter Eight: Voodoo and Lucumi Magickal Workings 119
Ritual Cleansing and Baths 119
To Remove Unwanted Influences 120
Veve Magick 121
Ritual Feasts 122
Candle Spells 123
Voodoo Dolls 125
Gris-Gris 125
Magickal Oils 126
Divination 129
Chapter Nine: Voodoo and Lucumi Religious Rituals 130
Ritual Practices 130
Group Ritual 131
Solitary Ritual 135
Chapter Ten: Voodoo on the Silver Screen 138
Roll Credits 152
Chapter Eleven: Black Roots To Live By 153
Spells for Protection and Protest 154
Recipes for Revolution 162
Nia and Umoja 165
Plant Roots, Harvest Food 167
Chapter Twelve: Voodoo Gold at the Rainbow's End 169
Appendix One: Recommended Reading and Recordings 173
Appendix Two: Resources for African Traditional Religion 185
Appendix Three: Glossary of Terms 190
Index 198
About the Author 208
ISBN: 9781733246637
ISBN-10: 1733246630
Published: 1st June 2021
Format: Paperback
Language: English
Number of Pages: 230
Audience: General Adult
Dimensions (cm): 22.86 x 15.24 x 1.32
Weight (kg): 0.34
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This product is categorised by
- Non-FictionReligion & BeliefsOther Non-Christian ReligionsTribal Religions
- Non-FictionMind, Body, SpiritMysticism, Magic & Occult InterestsMagic, Spells & Alchemy
- Non-FictionReligion & BeliefsReligionComparative Religion
- Non-FictionSociety & CulturePopular Beliefs & Controversial KnowledgeFolklore Studies / Study of Myth (Mythology)