Divine inspiration : from Benin to Bahia

The first section of this book contains rare photographs of traditional priests and priestesses and the shrine objects they use. Both the essay by Rosen, an ordained Olokun priestess, and Galembo's powerful photographs illuminate some of West Africa's elaborate cultural and religious traditions. The second section explores the Brazilian form of ancient African spiritual religion brought to the New World during the Atlantic slave trade of the sixteenth century. This book breaks new ground in the study of African diaspora while it provides powerful photographs that are, above all, a celebration of the senses.