The 21 Divisions: Mysteries and Magic of Dominican Voodoo

Dominican voodoo priest Salva brings to lay readers his vast knowledge of his Las 21 Divisiones (or the 21 Divisions) practice in this comprehensive work. Salva shares the history, beliefs, knowledge, and rituals of the 21 Divisions (a syncretic Caribbean voodoo), which was originally passed down orally to “a group of elevated and Divine beings known as Misterios.” The 21 Divisions believe in a monotheistic God whose eminence emerges through the material world and Misterios. Only Brujos (initiates, such as Salva) can connect with and act as conduits for the Misterios. Readers learn how Spanish colonialism, slavery, and Catholicism contributed to the 21 Divisions and the traces of Catholicism that remain in the practice. Salva delves into eight divisions (realms of the spiritual world), including two from the major divisions: Black (the death and ancestral division) and Blue (the water division). The book’s sensual anecdotes and stories of rituals and well-known Brujos create intimacy and resonance, but uneven pacing and the large amounts of information conveyed slow the reading experience. Despite this, Salva brings forth Dominican voodoo’s beauty and complexity. Readers interested in voodoo or wanting to learn more about world religions will enjoy. (May)