Searching for Africa in Brazil: Power and Tradition in Candomblé Paperback – Illustrated, May 17, 2010

I love this book! Stefania Capone has done more for Candomble then she could ever imagine! Her book is thorough and unique. She writes about the development of Eshu, analysing his position in Candomble and other Afro-Brazilian traditions over decades and centuries. She takes political pressure and prosecution by the catholic church as well as a fight against superstition into account, she writes about lesser known and lesser researched branches of Candomble and she shows that "just because it has been written about, doesn't mean its better".But what makes this book so important is the internal politics of Candomble that Stefania Capone reveals. The power struggles between members of temples and the associated defamation, gossip and the use of witchcraft to harm and destroy competitive priests are part of the undercurrent of Candomble. Sadly as it may be, these things are the glue that keeps this religion going. This book deserves 10 stars!

A very scholarly and well researched book. This is authentic and well written in English. Persons interested in the topic of Exu and how He relates to Candomble and Brazilian traditions, as well as spiritual authority in those traditions from an unbiased viewpoint will enjoy this book.

I got this book to read before a trip to Salvador, Brazil. I have always been interested in the African religions of Brazil, and I was hoping to understand them better before my trip. This book was a difficult read because it is written more as a doctoral thesis than a book. Unfortunately, I only read about 20% before putting it down. I wish there were better books on Afro-Brazilian religions in English.

I got this as there was a copyin my university library but I wanted to own it. It is really useful for my comparative research, it is one of its kind about Candoble and if you are not doing research it is still a very interesting book to read about the African rooted Brazilian religion. Capone has done a remarkable work

Excellent!