Book & CD Launchings/Reviews
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Recently Released
"La Fuerza del Tambor"
Filmed entirely in Matanzas, Cuba
For a review of the film, Click here
Book Releases/Reviews
Santería Enthroned: Art, Ritual, and Innovation in an Afro-Cuban Religion
Guide to Afro-Cuban Herbalism
Who's Knocking on My Floor? : Esu Arts in the Americas
By John Mason The Challenge is a very big disappoinment! By Iyanifa Ileana S. Alcamo Osun Across the Waters- A Yoruba Goddess in Africa and the Americas Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2001
An excellent publication on the Orisha Oshun and her various representations in Africa and the Diaspora. The book features articles numerous scholars on Yoruba religion. At the expense of sounding biased, there are two articles that I especially enjoyed: Wande Abimbola's "The Bag of Wisdom: Osun and the Origins of Ifá Divination," and David O. Ogundigbe's "Eerindinlogun: The Seeing Eyes of Sacred Shells and Stones." Joseph Murphy's analysis of the Oshún/Caridad del Cobre relationship is a very important contribution toward further understanding the processes that reshaped Lukumí religion in the Diaspora. Likewise, Isabel Castellano's "River of Many Turns. . ." continues to build upon her already established reputation as an excellent researcher and her analytical abilities. I have one issue though, and that is with my omó orisha Ysamur Flores. Yewandé and I need to discuss and compare Oshun's and Shango's throne! :-) Osun Across the Waters is a welcome and valuable addition to Orisha literature. I applaud Joseph Murphy and Mei-Mei Sanford for a wonderful and insightful contribution that will most definitely have an impact on Yoruba and Diasporan-Yoruba Orisha scholarship.
Two new releases: The Lydia Cabrera Recordings
Matanzas, Cuba, ca. 1957:
Afro-Cuban Sacred Music From the Countryside from the Historic Recordings
of Lydia Cabrera and Josefina Tarafa
Havana & Matanzas, Cuba ca. 1957: Batá, Bembé, and Palo Songs
Morton Marks and Smithsonian Folkways Recordings have just
released a two CD collection of the recordings of Lukumi Orisha music done
by Lydia Cabrera and Josefina Tarafa in Cuba in the 1950s. It is a superb
collection of drumming and chants, some of which have been lost or have
been degenerated with time and the distance from the original sources.
These recordings are priceless.
By David H. Brown
Just skimming through the pages of this hot-off-the-press book, I am under the impression that it will be an extremely interesting read. Congratulations to Dr. David Brown on the release of the book.
Buy it now from Folkcuba.com
Or buy it from Amazon.com by clicking the link below.
By Dalia Quiros-Moran
Extensive information on the medicinal, religious and magical uses of 700 plants
Another impressive publication by John Mason. His perspectives and interpretations on the subject are quite interesting.
"The Challenge-Growing Within the Orisa Community"
Translated by Oluwo Cris Alcamo
New York, Athelia Henrietta Press, 2002
Click here
Edited by Joseph M. Murphy & Mei-Mei Sanford.
"Bata y Bembe de Matanzas," a CD, and "Vamos al Tambor, Vol. 1", a DVD, recorded live in Matanzas, Cuba.
Proceeds from the sales will go directly to the artists in Cuba.
For more information, go to: Matanzas
Havana, Cuba, ca. 1957: Rhythms
and Songs for the Orishas from the Historic Recordings of Lydia Cabrera
and Josefina Tarafa