Teachings of the Santeria Gods: The Spirit of the Odu

(Paperback)

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At the core of the diloggun-the sacred divination system of Santeria-are the sacred stories known as the patakis, narratives whose themes are as powerful and relevant today as they were in the minds of the ancient Yoruba who safeguarded them. Each pataki is connected to one or more of the 16 odu, the principal creative forces of Santeria. Some recount the lives of orishas on earth, others the lives of individuals in heaven and some tell of the odu themselves, for even they once walked the earth as mortals. The first book to explore these ancient African stories in English, TEACHINGS OF THE SANTERIA GODS recounts more than 100 of these sacred parables, including many stories reassembled from the oral tradition of the African diaspora. Ranging from creation myths to what happens when a love potion works far too well, these stories share the wisdom and spirituality of the Yoruba people of ancient Africa and form the living, oral bible of one of the world's fastest-growing faiths. . Includes more than 100 myths, stories, and histories about the odu and the orishas . Reassembles the oral fragments from the African diaspora into coherent stories . Demonstrates that the African peoples, specifically the Yoruba, were deeply spiritual

Reviews

There is no more magical way to feel close to the orishas than through the pataks. It is there that one is transported to ones imagination. chani Lele has a very spiritual manner in elevating my imagination through his writing, which reveals a special touch. Maferefun orichas! What is seen is not questioned! This is a special book for those of us who go forth from the heart, without malice. chani Lele, my dear, I congratulate you! * Ivy Queen, vocalist, musician, and Queen of Reggaeton *
This book is a page turner. chani Lele relates these sacred stories with the ease of a knowledgeable narrator while drawing clarity and meaning out of the religions complex chorus of voices. This book moves the deep spirituality of the religion away from ethnography and connects the sacred to religious studies where it is well overdue. * Oba Ernesto Pichardo, Church of the Lukumi Babalu Aye *
"If you have any interest in Santeria, or in a story well-told, then you should pick up Ocha'ni Lele's Teachings fo the Santeria Gods. Don't simply read it, savor it. Each of these stories is a gem worth examining, and Lele is the wise jeweler joyfully pointing out each facet." * Star Foster, Pantheon: The Pagan Blog at Patheos, September 2010 *
"For the first time, one hundred of the ancient African stories known as pataki have been made available in English. It was a gargantuan labor of love for the author." * Anna Jedrziewski, New Age Retailer, September 2010 *
"Loaded with stories that provide entertainment and unique perspectives, Teachings of the Santeria Gods is an excellent book for those looking to learn about Santeria or African folklore." * The Magical Buffet, October 2010 *
Two words sum up Teachings of the Santeria Gods: Spirit of the Odu . . . Beautifully Written. * Facing North, January 2011 *
. . . well-written, informative, possessed of rare clarity, and a joy to read. * SpiralNature.com, May 2011 *

Author Bio

chani Lele (1966-2019) was immersed in the underground culture of Orisha worship in 1989. He made Ocha in 2000 and was crowned a priest of Oya. His other books include The Secrets of Afro-Cuban Divination, Ob: Oracle of Cuban Santera, and The Diloggn: The Orishas, Proverbs, Sacrifices, and Prohibitions of Cuban Santera.