Powers of the Orishas: Santeria and the Worship of Saints explores the relationship between the Orishas of Yoruba religion and the Catholic saints with whom they became associated in Cuban Santería.
The book provides historical context for the development of these syncretic traditions, explaining how enslaved Yoruba people in Cuba preserved important elements of their religious practices under colonial rule by identifying Orishas with Catholic saints.
Organized by individual Orisha, the book presents information on traditional attributes, paths or aspects, necklaces, initiations, foods, herbs, legends, offerings, and related practices. Each section is designed to provide a concentrated overview of the particular Orisha and the traditions associated with them.
A useful reference for readers interested in Santería, the Orishas, Afro-Caribbean religion, religious syncretism, and the historical relationship between Yoruba traditions and Catholic devotional imagery.