Edited by Joseph M. Murphy & Mei-Mei Sanford.
Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2001
An excellent publication on the Orisha Oshun and her various representations in Africa and the Diaspora. The book features articles numerous scholars on Yoruba religion. At the expense of sounding biased, there are two articles that I especially enjoyed: Wande Abimbola’s “The Bag of Wisdom: Osun and the Origins of Ifá Divination,” and David O. Ogundigbe’s “Eerindinlogun: The Seeing Eyes of Sacred Shells and Stones.”
Joseph Murphy’s analysis of the Oshún/Caridad del Cobre relationship is a very important contribution toward further understanding the processes that reshaped Lukumí religion in the Diaspora. Likewise, Isabel Castellano’s “River of Many Turns. . .” continues to build upon her already established reputation as an excellent researcher and her analytical abilities. I have one issue though, and that is with my omó orisha Ysamur Flores. Yewandé and I need to discuss and compare Oshun’s and Shango’s throne! :-) Osun Across the Waters is a welcome and valuable addition to Orisha literature. I applaud Joseph Murphy and Mei-Mei Sanford for a wonderful and insightful contribution that will most definitely have an impact on Yoruba and Diasporan-Yoruba Orisha scholarship.
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