Olookun: Owner of Rivers and Seas

I liked the bookI was looking for information about olokun and I found it here. This book has focus in the way as olokun is seen in Cuban Diaspora, it is clear, however, the author brings interesting information about the olokun origin in Bini land, how it was brought to Cuba and how the cult to olokun was developed in Cuba.When you put together the origins in Africa and also the ways that olokun cult took in cuba you understand what is strong and weak in this cult there.Therefore I think the book is fair, but is deceptive to see that, unfortunately, there is not too much or deep information about Olokun. It seems to me very superficial, treated as an adimu orixá only and the cult of Yemanja fill the gaps in the rites.Orixá is the most importante thing in Yoruba religion, but there is a lot of Orixás. Has no meaning you insert in your life or community any orixá only because he exist. It has to have a more important meaning or sense.

ALL OF JOHN MASON'S BOOKS ARE FIRE! THE LANGUAGE CAN BE A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND BECAUSE HE TRULY GIVES AN ACADEMIC ACCOUNT BUT THE KNOWLEDGE IN THE BOOKS ARE AMAZING. THIS BOOK COMES WITH A CD AS WELL...

This book was delivered with great care and earlier than expected. Look forward to future purchases from Kawo Kabiosile. Modupe.

This book surprised me it came with a disk to learn the songs. I could not be more happy with the purchases I have made for this retailer.

I recomend It 100% as expected lovely

This book is not exactly what I was looking for. I hoping for more insight on the deity and how to work with it.

John Mason's Olookun: Owner of Rivers & Seas is an excellent souce of information for anyone who is interested in the Yoruba Religious Tradition of Orisha Worship.Mason's research as exhibited in this work is impeccable. He closely examines the origins and history of Olookun's worship in Africa, and he documents the journey of this Yoruba Deity from Africa to Cuba and thereby to the United States.Mason not only provides the reader with a history of the worship of Olookun, he illustrates some examples of the rituals associated with the Deity; and he oulines the development of those rituals in the New World. Additionally, the author identifies and provides information about those individuals who were directly responsible for bringing the mysteries of this Deity and his worship to the New World.Probably the most valuable aspect of this work is the author's explanation of the nature of the Orisha Olookun. Mason not only explains the various symbolisms associated with Olookun, but he outlines the very nature of this Deity and explains what the worship of Olookun represented (and continues to represent) to Africans in the New World and to their spiritual and familial descendants.Included in this book are wonderful photographs and illustrations, and included is a cassette tape with recorded prayers and songs honoring Olookun in the Lucumi language of the Cuban descendants of the Yoruba people.This book is an excellent source of information for anyone interested in Yoruba, Afo-Cuban, or African American history. Practitioners of the Yoruba Religion, regradless of the specific tradition they follow, will find this work invaluable.

This book is indeed a treasure. If you are interested in purchasing any books on Olokun, this is the one to buy. I purchased "Olokun" many years ago. It was the first book I read that spoke of Olokun, Yemaya and what would eventually became my Religion, Lucumi/Santeria. This book has been difficult to acquire in the last few years. I'm glad to see it back in print.