The king does not lie / produced by Judith Gleason and Elisa Mereghetti.

Format:

Video

Contributor:

Gleason, Judith.

Mereghetti, Elisa.

Alexander Street Press.

Series:

Filmakers Library online

Filmakers library online

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Santeria.

Genre:

Documentary.

Video recordings.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (42 min.)

Place of Publication:

New York, NY : Filmakers Library, 1993.

Language Note:

English.

Summary:

This film shows the Afro-Cuban religion, Santeria, whose New World practitioners have too often been maligned out of ignorance and prejudice and even harassed by authorities. In this intimate documentary we see a contemporary Puerto Rican community of "santeros" gather for the initiation of a priest of Shango, the "Thundergod" of the traditional Yoruba religion. As we follow the initiate through a series of ritual events, a new perspective on ancient rites is revealed. The religion originated in Africa and the chants are sung in Yoruba. Rituals like these are the basis of ceremonies performed in churches and temples of established religions. Sacred stones washed in sacred, leafy waters become the energy for ritual purification and empowerment. The anointment of head, feet and stones with the blood of sacrifice ensures atonement. On the third day the community gathers to witness the divination session in which the initiate receives his new name, "Oba Ko Puro", translated from Yoruba as "The King Does Not Lie." With the name, comes the story of the initiate's transfer of allegiance from an outer/worldly to inner/spiritual authority. Combining ritual narration with poetic translation from Lucumi/Yoruba chants provides the viewer with an understanding of the literal and figurative dimensions of the ceremony. A film of special interest to students of comparative religion, ritual, and Afro-Caribbean culture.

Notes:

Originally released as DVD.

Title from resource description page (viewed May 24, 2011).

Electronic reproduction. Alexandria, VA : Alexander Street Press, 2011. (Filmakers library online). Available via World Wide Web.

American Anthropological Association, 1993

OCLC:

747798097

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license.