Uncover "The Religion" for Yourself. When the Yoruba of West Africa were brought to Cuba as slaves, they preserved their religious heritage by disguising their gods as Catholic saints and worshiping them in secret. The resulting religion was Santeria, a blend of primitive magic and Catholicism now practiced by an estimated five million Hispanic Americans. Santeria: The Religion is an informative and insightful examination of an African religion's survival in the New World. Blending informed study as an anthropologist and personal experience as a Santerian initiate, author Migene Gonzalez-Wippler uncovers Santeria's spellbinding elements: the pantheon of gods (orishas), the priests (santeros), the divining shells (diloggun) used to consult the gods, and the herbal potions prepared as medicinal cures for magic (ewe). Santeria: The Religion also explores the controversial ceremonies -- including animal sacrifice -- that are often misunderstood outside the Santerian community. Santeria: The Religion contains remarkable photographs and interviews that disclose aspects of the religion rarely revealed to nonbelievers. The time has come to expose this growing spiritual practice that continues to gain new practitioners worldwide. ...fascinating reading. " -- Library Journal Migene Gonzalez-Wippler has worked as an editor for Latin New York and Latin U.S. magazines and is the author of ten books, including Santeria: African Magic in Latin America, The Santeria Experience, and Peregrinaje, a best-selling Spanish-language book about the after-life. GonzklezWippler, who was born in Puerto Rico, obtained degrees in both anthropology and psychology from Columbia University and the University of Puerto Rico. She frequently lectures on various cultures and religions.