Due to the strife between the slaves and slave owners during
the colonial era, many of basic religions in the Americas practice a strict
code of secrecy. Most of the rituals and teaching are passed down through word
of mouth and direct experience and so there are very few books written about
them that give in-depth and accurate information concerning their practices. One
author who was able to break the veil of secrecy is Puerto-Rican Migene
Gonzalez-Wippler, who is a leading expert on Santería. Growing up in the Caribbean,
she was directly exposed to the religion from a young age. Since she was not
initiated until she was already an adult and published author, she was not
bound by the code of secrecy and could write as much as she knew about it. The
Loyola library has two copies of Santería:
The Religion which outlines the basics of the religion’s beliefs and some
of her other books can be purchased at the House of Voodoo.
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