- Paperback: 290 pages
- Publisher: Ballantine Books Inc.; Reprint edition (1 Feb 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0345421558
- ISBN-13: 978-0345421555
- Product Dimensions: 13.7 x 1.8 x 20.8 cm
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,201,376 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
Long cloaked in protective secrecy, demonized by Western society, and distorted by Hollywood, Santería is at last emerging from the shadows with an estimated 75 million orisha followers worldwide. In The Altar of My Soul, Marta Moreno Vega recounts the compelling true story of her journey from ignorance and skepticism to initiation as a Yoruba priestess in the Santería religion. This unforgettable spiritual memoir reveals the long-hidden roots and traditions of a centuries-old faith that originated on the shores of West Africa.
As an Afro-Puerto Rican child in the New York barrio, Marta paid little heed to the storefront botanicas full of spiritual paraphernalia or to the Catholic saints with foreign names: Yemayá, Ellegua, Shangó. As an adult, in search of a religion that would reflect her racial and cultural heritage, Marta was led to the Way of the Saints. She came to know Santería intimately through its prayers and rituals, drumming and dancing, trances and divination that spark sacred healing energy for family, spiritual growth, and service to others. Written by one who is a professor and a santera priestess, The Altar of My Soul lays before us an electrifying and inspiring faith–one passed down from generation to generation that vitalizes the sacred energy necessary to build a family, a community, and a strong, loving society.
As an Afro-Puerto Rican child in the New York barrio, Marta paid little heed to the storefront botanicas full of spiritual paraphernalia or to the Catholic saints with foreign names: Yemayá, Ellegua, Shangó. As an adult, in search of a religion that would reflect her racial and cultural heritage, Marta was led to the Way of the Saints. She came to know Santería intimately through its prayers and rituals, drumming and dancing, trances and divination that spark sacred healing energy for family, spiritual growth, and service to others. Written by one who is a professor and a santera priestess, The Altar of My Soul lays before us an electrifying and inspiring faith–one passed down from generation to generation that vitalizes the sacred energy necessary to build a family, a community, and a strong, loving society.
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First Sentence
The orisha Olodumare, the Supreme God, originally lived in the lower part of heaven, overlooking endless stretches of water. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
The orisha Olodumare, the Supreme God, originally lived in the lower part of heaven, overlooking endless stretches of water. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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26 reviews
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Excellent memoir
25 Nov 2000
Format:Hardcover
Dr Vega gives an excellent and spellbinding account of her journey to Santeria. She dispels the myth that African based religions are withcraft or "paganist", forcing the reader to re-examine ideas of blindly accepting western religious practices without asking some serious questions.A must read for any student of religion and/or religious history.
14 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Not what I expected
8 Mar 2001
Format:Hardcover
Just wanted to make known that this book didn't give me the information I was looking for and expected when I purchased it. While it is a fine memoir and description of the author's personal experience, what I was looking for was a more straightforward presentation of the basics of the the religion. While the book does contain this information woven through the narrative, I tired of wading through pages and pages of minute details of the author's personal life (including such minutia as the exact addresses of former residences) to reach the kernals of wisdom I was seeking. I finally gave up and went searching for another book. On the other hand, if what you are looking for is a story of one woman personal discovery of the Santeria religion, this is a good book to read.
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful
A glance into the world of the Santero
29 May 2002
Format:Hardcover
This is a fine book. My only criticism is that I could use more detailed discussion of the rites and practices of Santeria, and less on personal family interaction, history and issues.
Santeria is clearly a very beautiful religion, and in my opinion quite scientific. Dr. Vega's work is yet another step in helping to dispel the vilification and demonization of a religion that has its roots in Ifa, one of the oldest religions known to Africans.
Unfortunately, much detail is left out of this book - probably too much, making the author somewhat conspiratorial in maintaining the secrecy that surrounds the religion, hence the perpetration of negative stereotypes by outsiders who just do not understand or know sufficient about the religion. While providing a glimpse into the world of the Santero, the book stops short of providing the would-be new practitioner of more detailed information necessary in making the decision to follow the path.
One of the more important points extolled by this book is that there are many paths toward spiritual enlightenment and Santeria is just one of them. There is no criticism of the other paths, but for those who choose Santeria, it's a wonderful connection to the Divine. An old and loved Cuban Santero, Ma Mina, is quoted in the book as making the following reference to her Chinese husband. "The divinities of the Chinese community are very similar to the orishas. People like to argue about the differences between the orishas, the catholic saints, and the Chinese divinities. For me they are different roads to the same destination." WELL SAID MA MINA.
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