The Osha

Guide Rating -

The Osha is neither as well written, nor as informative as Vega's book, although it is often very entertaining. The author, Julia Garcia Cortez, writes in a folksy style, often jumping from subject to subject. He tells many traditional stories of the Orishas, entertaining folk tales that are strikingly similar to Greek and Roman tales of the Gods. He also includes many of the songs and chants of the Orishas, a guide to the Table of Ifa (a divinatory device), and other detailed information, much of which seems superfluous. It seems to me, that having promised the 'secrets of the Yoruba-Lucumi-Santeria religion,' he apparently feels obliged to provide them in unnecessary detail. While this book is marketed to non-initiates, initiates of Santeria may find the book more useful.