Description
EL MONTE
Book Summary
This work is a fundamental ethnographic study on Afro-Cuban religions, considered a true "Bible" in its field. Lydia Cabrera captures, with rigor and fidelity, the ancestral knowledge of practitioners of Yoruba, Mandinka, and Carabali cultures. The reader will find unique material on the "monte" (wilderness/forest) as a sacred space, the origin of life, and the dwelling place of the divinities. The main value of the work lies in offering living testimonies without interpretive filters, making it an essential source for specialists, believers, and the general public interested in these traditions.
What is it about?
El Monte explores the symbolic and religious universe of Afro-descendant communities in Cuba. The author presents the "monte" not only as a geographical space, but as the origin of the world, a feminine and maternal concept comparable to the Earth. Its pages document the divinities that inhabit it, the rituals, the sacred plants, and the spiritual practices that make up these religions. The work is structured based on the voices of the informants themselves, offering a direct, unmediated testimony of a complex belief system that intertwines the sacred with daily life.
Main themes
- Afro-Cuban religions and their worldview.
- The "monte" as a sacred space and origin of life.
- Yoruba, Mandinka, and Carabali divinities.
- Ethnography and documentation of oral testimonies.
- Feminine knowledge and its relationship with nature and sexuality.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at anthropologists, ethnographers, and scholars of comparative religion. It is also of great interest to practitioners of African-originated religions, such as Santeria, who seek to understand their roots. Likewise, any reader interested in Cuban culture, the history of religions, or religious syncretism will find in this work a source of deep and authentic knowledge.
What this book provides
- Access to first-hand ethnographic material, collected directly from its protagonists.
- Deep understanding of the symbology and meaning of the "monte" in Afro-Cuban religions.
- A comprehensive vision of Yoruba, Mandinka, and Carabali traditions, without external interpretations.
- A historical and cultural document of incalculable value for understanding the African heritage in the Americas.
Technical Specifications
- Author: Cabrera, Lydia
- Publisher: LINKGUA
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: CLASSIC TEXTS
- Collection: RELIGION
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: December 2017
- Number of pages: 690
- Weight: 100 g
Editorial Review
El Monte is an unavoidable reference for anyone who wishes to delve into the study of Afro-Cuban religions. The work stands out for its documentary rigor and the intellectual honesty of its author, who gives voice to the protagonists of these traditions. Its reissue in digital format facilitates access to a text that remains relevant and necessary, both for its academic value and its cultural significance. It is a read that enriches the understanding of a complex and fascinating spiritual heritage.