· Explains the animal sacrifice ceremony in step-by-step detail · Shares the ancient African sacred stories that reveal the well-thought-out metaphysics and spirituality behind the practice of animal sacrifice · Chronicles the legal fight all the way to its 1993 U.S. Supreme Court victory to establish legal protection for the santería faith and its practitioners Tackling the biggest controversy surrounding his faith, Santería priest Ócha'ni Lele explains for the first time in print the practice and importance of animal sacrifice as a religious sacrament. Describing the animal sacrifice ceremony in step-by-step detail, including the songs and chants used, he examines the thinking and metaphysics behind the ritual and reveals the deep connections to the odu of the diloggún—the source of all practices in this Afro-Cuban faith. Tracing the legal battle spearheaded by Oba Ernesto Pichardo, head of the Church of the Lukumi of Babaluaiye, over the right to practise animal sacrifice as a religious sacrament, Lele chronicles the fight all the way to its 1993 U.S. Supreme Court victory, which established legal protection for the Santería faith and its practitioners. Weaving together oral fragments stemming from the ancient Yoruba of West Africa, the author reconstructs their sacred stories or patakís, that demonstrate the well-thought-out metaphysics and spirituality behind the practice of animal sacrifice in the Yoruba and Santería religion, including explanations about why each animal can be regarded as food for both humans and the orisha as well as how sacrifice is not limited to animals. Shedding light on the extraordinary global growth of this religion over the past 50 years, Lele's guide to the sacrificial ceremonies of Santería enables initiates to learn proper ceremony protocol as well as gives outsiders a glimpse into this most secretive world of the santeros. “…this book is an absolute must-read!  You will find here secrets never before revealed to the outside world…you simply cannot ignore this book.” Aaron Leitch, author of Secrets of the Magickal Grimoires “…very useful to students of religion, history, and folklore, as well as general readers eager to know more about this complex religion.  It will be a welcome addition to academic and public libraries.”  Cynthia Duncan, Ph.D., professor of Hispanic Studies at the University of Washington Tacoma and author of Unraveling the Real: The Fantastic in Spanish American Ficciones “…fully researched, the information is balanced and integrated, and Ochani Lele's writing voice is clear, humble, and humorous.” Luisah Teish, author of Jambalaya: The Natural Woman's Book of Personal Charms and Practical Rituals, Founding Mother of Ile Orunmila Oshun