Hearing the Mermaid’s Song, by Lindsay Hale (Anth’84)

(University of New Mexico Press, 2009; 192 pages; ISBN 0826347339)

Over nearly a decade, anthropologist Lindsay Hale spent countless hours studying the Umbanda religion. Through his dedication and hard work, Hearing the Mermaid’s Song was born. This book goes into intricate detail about the interesting religious practices and beliefs of the Umbanda religion, which has its origins in Rio de Janeiro and its surrounding urban areas where Afro-Brazilians, many ex-slaves or the descendants of slaves, practiced versions of the religion handed down to them by their ancestors. A relatively new religion, Umbanda began around the beginning of the 20th century and has spread tremendously over the past hundred years and it attracts people in pursuit of a rich spiritual life. This book discusses Hale’s many discoveries and sheds light on a very unique culture. He is a professor at the University of Texas at Austin and teaches courses in anthropology and Latin American Studies.