About this title: "Secrets of Voodoo" traces the development of this complex religion (in Haiti and the Americas) from its sources in the brilliant civilizations of ancient Africa. This book presents a straightforward account of the gods or loas and their function, the symbols and signs, rituals, the ceremonial calendar of Voodoo, and the procedures for performing ...
read more
Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Edition: Reprint. 2nd printing
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Arco, New York
Date Published: 1971
ISBN-13:9780668020084ISBN:0668020083
Description: Fair in fair dust jacket. Ex-library. most library markings have been removed, mylar cover has torn corners, creased title page, clean text throughout. 219 p., illustrations. 24 cm. Translation of La tradition voudoo et le voudoo haïtien. read more
Description: Good. No DJ Issued. Good. No dust jacket as issued. owner stamp inside both coveers, clean, tight, slight tanning to pages 214 p. Includes: illustrations, diagrams. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Pocket Books, New York
Date Published: 1971
Description: Very Good+ 214 pp. Pages tanned, slight edgewear. A description of the secret rituals and ceremonies of this religion. Includes the meaning of the drums, prayers, human sacrifices, and talismans. read more
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: City Lights Books
Date Published: 1985-06-01
ISBN-13:9780872861718ISBN:0872861716
Description: NEW. Softcover. From an inventory that is 100% brand-new, 100% direct from the publishers' distribution channel. We carry NO pre-owned, NO remaindered. We pack in CARDBOARD to ensure the pristine quality is maintained. (Bubble-wrap alone is NOT sufficient to protect from USPS equipment. ) Guaranteed brand-NEW, protected with CARDBOARD, your satisfaction is guaranteed. BKLUVID: 9780872861718. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: City Lights Books
Date Published: 1985
ISBN-13:9780872861718ISBN:0872861716
Description: New. Brand New! Buy with confidence-your satisfaction is guaranteed at B-Logistics! Due to the large scale of our operation, we do not have access to the specific contents/condition of our items. Please note that Expedited shipping is not available at this time. read more
Edition: Reprint
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Arco
Date Published: 1971
ISBN-13:9780668020084ISBN:0668020083
Description: Good in Good dust jacket. 0668020083. Cloth hardcovers are clean and sharp. Occasional underlining, else interior good. Dustjacket gently rubbed and edgeworn.; Photographs; 8vo. read more
Edition: Second Edition
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Arco, New York
Date Published: 1971
ISBN-13:9780668020084ISBN:0668020083
Description: Near Fine in Very Good jacket. First printing of the second edition of this look at the practice of voodoo. Translated from the French by Robert B Cross. Book has light smudge line to front board, else Near Fine condition in Very Good dustjacket with some rubbing and small closed tear. New mylar protector. read more
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: Arco, New York
Date Published: 1970
ISBN-13:9780668020084ISBN:0668020083
Description: Very good in very good dust jacket. Text in English, French. 219 p. illus. 24 cm. Includes Illustrations. Translation of La tradition voudoo et le voudoo haïtien. read more
Edition: Second Printing
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Arco, New York
Date Published: 1971
ISBN-13:9780668020084ISBN:0668020083
Description: Very Good in Very Good jacket. Very good in very good dust jacket. Veryslight tanning; otherwise like new, no bumps or bruises Text in English, French. 219 p. illus. 24 cm. Includes Illustrations. Translation of La tradition voudoo et le voudoo haïtien. read more
Edition: Reprint
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: CITY LIGHTS
Date Published: 2001
ISBN-13:9780872861718ISBN:0872861716
Description: New. "Secrets of Voodoo" traces the development of this complex religion (in Haiti and the Americas) from its sources in the brilliant civilizations of ancient Africa. This book presents a straightforward account of the gods or loas and their function, th... read more
"This book is hardcore, fullthrottle Vodou from a Haitian, translated from French. Real deal. The massive detailed missives add a whole new level to Vodou rituals. But I think it is a sign of the time in which he grew up as a Black Caribbean man that Ethiopia and Moses and Sheeba are mentioned a lot. It's the same time when Rastafarian events began. But also, I think he also uses the Bible to give Vodou a credibility it doesn't in my opinion need. It can stand on its own.
However, I am not sure about the masons and geomancy stuff - where did that come from? Is that to connect Vodou to European magical practices? He even talks about Hermeticism. The thing is, I bet if I could read French, in the original version these Europeans systems of magic might make sense connected to Vodou. The New Orleans Voodoo Tarot deck does that very well, merging thelema with Vodou. Even the Cabballa is mentioned - decades before Madonna ruined it for everyone.
But why does he constantly call it a solar religion? I don't remember ever hearing about anyone in Haitian Vodou using Western astrology and casting charts of patients either. But he says that the lwa are the "heavenly bodies, stars, and planets". And Erzuli Freda Dahomey is white or of mixed race in every book I've seen and conversation I've had about Vodou, yet he says she's "a dark skinned Ethiopian woman". Again, the times? I am impressed by the pages of names of the lwa, but wish he'd have stated what they do. With the few he does talk about confuses me. The Marassah I assumed were the twin children, but he says they are "The sun in magic regency of the sky through birth and rebirth." (That's the way the book reads.) Legba is Christ. Erzuli is the Virgin. Danballah somehow creates the rest of the Trinity.
So while there is some good stuff in here, it's pretty confusing. I know Vodou is not the same town to town, and it has probably changed a lot since the 50s and 60s. So some of the facts that I question may actually have been real Vodou somewhere sometime. They may still be.
But I do think this is a good book for someone who knows a lot already and wants to add a new layer to their understanding."
"translated from the french by someone who speaks bad french? I could barely understand this book for the life of me. Made it about 2/3 of the way and gave up. Sheesh! Don't read this book!"
We guarantee every item's condition, as described on Alibris. If you are not satisfied that an item is as described, return your purchase for a refund.
rating
