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The first and one of the richest texts I read on Voudou was Zora Neale Hurston's Mules and Men;she writes both as an initiate and an anthropologist, so it's a particularly detailed and lush text. I also loved Deren's Divine Horsemen, though that's already been discussed here; the film is also exquisite. Sallie Anne Glassman's New Orleans Voodoo Tarot also has an excellent book linking Voodoo to Western Hermetics, which I think also appears in her Vodou Visions. I'm also rather fond of Jambalaya by Luisah Teish (may be a bit fluffy for some, but I found it to be very clear and helpful-a good palate cleanser and practical text after the more academic materials.) On a more anthropological note, Mama Lola: A Voudou Priestess in Brooklyn is very interesting, espescially because of its incorporation of Voudou in an urban setting.
I also learned a great deal from the Santeria/Candomble side of the fence and I really liked The Altar of My Soul since it deals with a great deal about personal initiation and for Afro-Brazillian traditions, there is the excellent Macumba by Serge Bramly (and the mildly fluffy and poorly titled Magick from Brazil, which none the less has some very useful tips). The most fascinating text I have found Afro-Brazillian matters is a book of spells called Pomba Gira: Rituals to Invoke The Formidable Power of the Messenger of the Gods; it is hard to find but well worth it.
At any rate, hope this helps. |
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