El Monte

Notes on the Religions, Magic, and Folklore of the Black and Creole People of Cuba

By: Lydia Cabrera

Write A Review

Paperback | 26 May 2023

At a Glance

Paperback
676 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
25.4 x 17.78 x 3.45

Paperback

$62.70

or 4 interest-free payments of $15.68 with

Ships in 5 to 7 business days

First published in Cuba in 1954 and appearing here in English for the first time, Lydia Cabrera's El Monte is a foundational and iconic study of Afro-Cuban religious and cultural traditions. Drawing on conversations with elderly Afro-Cuban priests who were one or two generations away from the transatlantic slave trade, Cabrera combines ethnography, history, folklore, literature, and botany to provide a panoramic account of the multifaceted influence of Afro-Atlantic cultures in Cuba. Cabrera details the natural and spiritual landscape of the Cuban monte (forest, wilderness) and discusses hundreds of herbs and the constellations of deities, sacred rites, and knowledge that envelop them. The result is a complex spiritual and medicinal architecture of Afro-Cuban cultures. This new edition of what is often referred to as "the Santeria bible" includes a new foreword, introduction, and translator notes. As a seminal work in the study of the African diaspora that has profoundly impacted numerous fields, Cabrera's magnum opus is essential for scholars, activists, and religious devotees of Afro-Cuban traditions alike.

Industry Reviews

"A monumental compendium. . . . includes a priceless, botanical encyclopaedia that will be an essential resource for herbalists everywhere." -- Gavin O'Toole * Latin American Review of Books *

Shipping

	Standard Shipping	Express Shipping
Metro postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Regional postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Rural postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95

How to return your order

At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.

Additional postage charges may be applicable.