Crossing the Water

“[A]n engaging and valuable ethnography in its own right, one that goes surprisingly far in its contribution to the field of Afro-Cuban religious studies. Written in sensitive and unpretentiously clear prose, the authors are astute observers of the social, emotional, and spiritual nuances of Cuban religious life, making of their foray a potential source of rich data for any scholar wishing to unravel the complex relationships between Afro-Cuban cosmology and practice, matter and deity, person and spirit.” — Diana Espirito Santo, Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute

“[A]n extraordinarily rich and detailed ethnographic undertaking combined with a highly personal engagement that is acknowledged and foregrounded throughout. It is this remarkable and beautiful combination of the visual, textual and personal that makes the book very powerful. . . .” — Bridget Bennett, Bulletin of Latin American Research

“[F]rom a visual perspective Crossing the Water introduces one into an illuminating world of Afro-Cuban spiritualism. From a cultural and historical perspective the photographs provide a better understanding to viewers of the power of Afro-Cuban culture and religion and its impact on the people and their beliefs. Overall, Crossing the Water provokes intensity of human-sprit interactions, sights, smells, sounds, and a vivid choreography of ritual practice.”
— Christina Violeta Jones, The Latin Americanist

“The price of this book is astonishing given the production qualities—almost every page has one or more photographs if not devoted to one print, all printed on high-quality paper. This would be a wonderful addition to both private and library collections with an interest in Caribbean religions.” — Mary Ann Clark, Religious Studies Review

“There are many books that combine photographs with descriptive essays focusing on religious communities in Africa or the diaspora, but few of them manage to present such keen insight and understanding of the religious life that they portray as Claire Garoutte and Anneke Wambaugh. Their technical skills combined with the strong relationship they developed with an Afro-Cuban priest have produced a powerful collection of visual images and an illuminating written commentary that make this a unique book.” — Robert M. Baum, Journal of Media and Religion

"Crossing the Water is a beautifully produced extended photographic essay, which takes readers into the home, shrine, spiritual family, ceremonies and worldview of Santiago Castañeda Vera. . . . Crossing the Water is both a timely documentation of Creole culture (at a watershed in Cuban history, with Fidel on his way out) and an exciting experiment in ethnographic research, which can challenge western models and the inevitable march of globalisation and homogeneity." — Simon Lee, The Caribbean Review of Books,

"[A] colorfully intimate portraiture of religious practice on the part of its authors. . . . [I]t provides, from its emic perspective, a close look at the quotidian practice of Santiago, a true priest of these 'crossed' religions and guide through their liturgies, rites, and arcane practices." — Eugenio Matibag, The Americas

"Photographers Garoutte and Wambaugh demystify and celebrate the Afro-Cuban religions of Santería, Palo Monte and Espiritismo. . . . What results is a respectful, vibrant account of Afro-Cuban religions, enhanced by more than 150 vivid photographs." — Publishers Weekly (Starred Review),

”More a visual ethnography than a coffee table book, Crossing the Water's complicated images are striking, but also pregnant with clues to a contextual universe that is impossible to read without such intimate firsthand knowledge. The authors provide this in their essay, alongside songs, quotes and spiritual handwritings of Castañeda, a useful glossary and extensive scholarly footnotes.” — Sylvia Pfeiffenberger, Independent Weekly