Description
Book SynopsisHigh priestesses are few and far between, white ones in Africa even more so. When Diane Esguerra hears of a mysterious Austrian woman worshipping the Ifa river goddess Oshun in Nigeria, her curiosity is aroused. It is the start of an extraordinary friendship that sustains Diane through the death of her son and leads to a quest to take part in Oshun rituals. Prevented by Boko Haram from returning to Nigeria, she finds herself at Ifa shrines in Florida amid vultures, snakes, goats' heads, machetes, a hurricane and a cigar-smoking god. Her quest steps up a gear when Beyonce channels Oshun at the Grammys and the goddess goes global. Mystifying, harrowing and funny, The Oshun Diaries explores the lure of Africa, the life of a remarkable woman and the appeal of the goddess as a symbol of female empowerment.
Trade Review`An absolute joy to read... leads you on a spiritual journey where you feel as if you’ve been transported to Africa. The Oshun Diaries mesmerised me’ – Wrong Side of Forty, `It was refreshing to read about a belief system that was so firmly rooted in the female form. This empowering and enlightening book reaffirmed my belief that you have to push out of your comfort zone at times, because you never, ever stop learning’ – Book Bound, `If you have any interest in African goddesses and Nigeria, this is one you shouldn’t miss’ – Joyful Antidotes, `Engrossing...very moving at times, wryly amusing at others, and always full of sharp observation’ – Books are Cool, `Part-memoir, part-adventure, a fascinating insight into a different culture and religion as viewed by an outsider. A thoroughly absorbing read’ – Over the Rainbow, `A special book about women rights, discrimination and the beautiful culture of Africa’ – In de Boekenkast, `A fascinating study of Ifa and two of the prominent Western women who follow it’ – Bookshine and Readbows
