Lydia Cabrera's first book (written in the 1930s) is an important, essential foundation for any understanding of Afro-Cuban culture in its many manifestations -- religion, language, music, art. Cabrera was one of the most important Cuban scholars/intellectuals of the 20th century -- like so many others she spent much of her life in exile from her native land after 1959. One day, perhaps soon, she will be honored in Cuba as she deserves, as the pioneer and the sensitive transcriber of a precariously poised but precious cultural tradition.

En realidad no debo escribir, ni dar mi opinion sobre libros en general, puesto que todos saben que en realidad he leido dos libros practicos en toda mi vida. Pero creo que "Cuentos para Adultos Ninos y Retrasados Mentales" por Lydia Cabrera (Coleccion Chichereku) seran muy entretenidos porque el mismo titulo te lo va indicando. Creo que lo voy a poner en la cesta de compras porque todo lo que es gracioso me atrae. Creo que no me equivoco! Y a la escritora de semejante 'cuentos', te deseo exito. Coleccion Chichereku ya tiene un 'que me importa ultimadamente'. Me gustaria saber donde encontrarla puesto que tambien yo tengo algo que ofrecerles dentro de poco, en Espanol y en Ingles "as well". Estoy traduciendo lo mio, que otra persona no seria capaz de hacerlo. Deseanme buena suerte pues!

This is probably the best text written on these two goddesses. The book is full of information on La Virgen de Regla as well as la Caridad. Cabrera's classic deserves an english translation and a reprinting! I love this book!

I have this book in Spanish and found it very useful but you must have notions of youruba languag or you will get lost in the text.

If your looking for a book on the afro-cuban religions, this is possibly the best one written. Cuban anthropologist Lydia Cabrera has written one of the best books on the subject. She discusses the myths, rituals and history of the religions derived from the congo and from the yoruba people who were brought as slaves into Cuba. In addition, Cabrera's text has a mamomth dictionary of various herbs, fruits, and vegetables, explaining who their spiritual owner is in addition to what the item can be used for. Cabrera also discusses the secret society of the Nanigos. It's a shame that this text has yet to be translated into English as it deserves to have a wider audience. Nonetheless, if you can read in spanish and are interested in this subject, this is definately a book to buy!

This book is very informative; a must for anyone interested in the workings of the santero religion.

It's a good collection of information concerning a new initiates expected behaviour and contains information collected from several interviews. Good for a general survey of practices in the Santeria religion.

Iyawo or Yaguo depending on how you pronounce it, is the novice initiate of the Orisha Religion. An Iyawo is an individual, both male, and female who has gone through the Kariocha Ceremonies and has had the Santo crowned upon the head. During a year the Iyawo is to follow strict rules, wear white, and learn to respect and honor their ruling Orisha with pride and dignity.

As a young initiate and a future Babalorisha or Iyalorisha (Priest / Priestess) I highly recommend this book to all Iyawo initiates. The booklet is in Spanish, so it would help immensely if you knew the language. This is the Manuel the How To for the newly crowned initiate, and a must have.

En esta obra de Cabrera, ella hay escrito en cual explica los taboos que el neofote endura durante su ano de iwayo. Translation: In this text, Cabrera has written a book that explains the taboos that the newly initiated into the religion of the lucumis must follow during their first year. Cabrera's book also gives explanations on shell divinaiton as well as some history on the religion. This is a great book!

As an initiated priest of Palo, I can say that it depends on what house you are in whether you think this book, or any other book by Lydia Cabrera, is all that good or not. This one does have some interesting material, as do all her books. But it has plenty that is not universally agreed upon, and it has absolutely nothing at all to say about the deeper, and most important secrets of Palo. Palo is not a standardized tradition. What you know and what you do depends on what house you are coming from. The houses are secret societies. You can't expect to learn anything without being in a house. It's as simple as that. No good Palero is going to make the secrets public. By their very nature, that would be insane. Not that I am showing disrespect to Lydia Cabrera. Her books are more or less good. I like some parts of her "La Regla Kimbisa." But a word of caution to you who want to dabble with African magic: there is a lot that will never be put into writing. Dabbling, when you don't know what you are dealing with, and especially in Palo, is a very fool hardy and dangerous thing to do. You don't know what you don't know. A lot of the older Paleros question what got into Lydia Cabrera to write what she did. Palo is closed to the uninitiated.

Lydia Cabrera is consider one of the foremost scholars on afro-carribean religions and rightfully so. As an initiated priest of Palo Mayombe I highly recommend this book as a source of information for any interested in the religion.