African derived magical traditions have had a significant influence in Latin America as a result of the transatlantic slave trade. During this period, millions of African slaves were forcibly brought to the Americas, including Latin America, where they brought with them their rich cultural and spiritual practices. These African diasporic traditions merged with existing indigenous and European belief systems, creating new and unique forms of magic and spirituality that continue to thrive in Latin America today. One of the most prominent African derived magical traditions in Latin America is Santeria, which originated in Cuba but has spread throughout the region. Santeria combines elements of Yoruba religion from West Africa with Catholicism, creating a syncretic fusion. Practitioners of Santeria, known as santeros or santeras, believe in a pantheon of deities called orishas, who are associated with different aspects of nature and human life.
When Lottie Burke, a notorious grumpy skeptic who doesn’t believe in magic, accompanies her best friend to the cottage for a love spell, Marigold can’t resist the challenge to prove to her that magic is real. She invites Lottie and her best friend, August Owens, to stay with her for the summer to prove her abilities, but Marigold begins to care for Lottie in a way she never expected. She longs to break the curse and escape her lonely fate, but when darker magic awakens and threatens to destroy her home, she must fight for much more than her freedom—at the risk of losing her magic and her heart.
She invites Lottie and her best friend, August Owens, to stay with her for the summer to prove her abilities, but Marigold begins to care for Lottie in a way she never expected. When her eccentric grandmother Althea visits and finally provides an explanation for Marigold s strange magical abilities, they return to the Lake Isle of Innisfree where she begins training as a Honey Witch an apothecary and alchemist who uses her magical connection with the bees to create enchanted honey for her spells.
Practitioners of Santeria, known as santeros or santeras, believe in a pantheon of deities called orishas, who are associated with different aspects of nature and human life. Rituals and ceremonies involve drumming, dancing, offerings, and divination. Santeria is known for its powerful magical spells and rituals, which help practitioners connect with the orishas and seek their assistance in various areas of life.
The honey widch
Warm, sun-dappled queer love stories, masquerade balls, and folk magic, you say? A story about a honey witch cursed never to fall in love? To that, we say yes! A million times yes!
When we first heard this pitch on TikTok we knew immediately that we had to read the manuscript, and it was everything we’d dreamed of and more. Redhook is thrilled to have bought The Honey Witch, Sydney J. Shields’s debut novel about a honey witch cursed never to find love and the woman who she’ll risk anything to save. For fans of Practical Magic and Bridgerton we’re so excited for this book to sweep you off your feet in Summer 2024.
Twenty-one-year-old Marigold Claude is entering another season without any intentions of accepting a proposal. When her eccentric grandmother Althea visits and finally provides an explanation for Marigold’s strange magical abilities, they return to the Lake Isle of Innisfree where she begins training as a Honey Witch—an apothecary and alchemist who uses her magical connection with the bees to create enchanted honey for her spells. While this lovely power leaves her especially adept at helping others find love, it also comes with an ancient curse that none have been able to break: no one can fall in love with the Honey Witch.
When Lottie Burke, a notorious grumpy skeptic who doesn’t believe in magic, accompanies her best friend to the cottage for a love spell, Marigold can’t resist the challenge to prove to her that magic is real. She invites Lottie and her best friend, August Owens, to stay with her for the summer to prove her abilities, but Marigold begins to care for Lottie in a way she never expected. She longs to break the curse and escape her lonely fate, but when darker magic awakens and threatens to destroy her home, she must fight for much more than her freedom—at the risk of losing her magic and her heart.
While you wait, feel free to reach out and say “hi” to Sydney at her website, on Instagram @sydneyjshields, or on TikTok @sydneyjshields.
Another African derived magical tradition in Latin America is Vodou, which is practiced primarily in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Vodou combines elements of West African religions with Native American and European traditions. Vodou is often misunderstood and misrepresented, but it is a complex and diverse spiritual system that encompasses healing, ancestral worship, and magical practices. Vodou ceremonies involve music, dancing, and possession by spirits, known as loas. In Vodou, magic is seen as a means of communicating with the spirit world, seeking guidance and assistance from the loas, and maintaining relationships with ancestors. Candomble is an African derived magical tradition that emerged in Brazil. It is influenced by the Yoruba and other African religious practices, as well as Brazilian indigenous and European traditions. Candomble practitioners, known as Candomblecistas, believe in a pantheon of deities called orixas, who are associated with different natural elements and forces. Rituals involve singing, dancing, and offerings, and divination is also an important part of Candomble. Like Santeria and Vodou, Candomble incorporates magical practices to connect with the orixas and seek their blessings and assistance. These African derived magical traditions in Latin America not only provide a spiritual framework for many people but also serve as a way to preserve and celebrate African cultural heritage. They continue to evolve and adapt in response to changing social and cultural contexts while retaining their essential core. The immense influence of African traditions on Latin American culture and spirituality is a testament to the resilience and enduring power of these magical practices..
Reviews for "African Derived Magic in Latin American Literature and Folktales"
1. John - 2 stars: I found "African derived magical traditions in Latin America" to be lacking in depth and substance. The book seemed to skim over important historical and cultural aspects, and instead focused too much on providing a basic overview. I was hoping for a more comprehensive analysis of these traditions, but I felt disappointed with the lack of information. It left me wanting more and ultimately left me uninformed about the subject.
2. Sarah - 1 star: I was extremely disappointed with "African derived magical traditions in Latin America." The writing felt disjointed and inconsistent, making it difficult to follow the author's train of thought. Additionally, I felt that the book relied too heavily on generalizations and stereotypes, without delving into the complexities and variations within these traditions. Overall, the lack of depth and thorough research made it an unsatisfying read for me.
3. Michael - 2.5 stars: While "African derived magical traditions in Latin America" touched on an intriguing subject, I found the execution of the book to be underwhelming. The author seemed to lack a clear focus, jumping from one topic to another without providing enough context or analysis. The information presented felt surface-level and left me craving a deeper understanding. Overall, I believe this book could have been much more informative and engaging with better organization and research.
4. Emily - 1.5 stars: I was hoping to learn more about African derived magical traditions in Latin America, but this book failed to deliver. The writing style was dry and lacked the necessary enthusiasm to engage readers. Furthermore, it seemed as though the author relied too heavily on secondary sources rather than conducting their own research. This resulted in a lack of original insights that could have made the book more intriguing. Overall, I found "African derived magical traditions in Latin America" to be a disappointing and unremarkable read.