Honey in the River

Book excerpt: Marsha Scarbrough’s quest for spiritual wisdom led her to study West African shamanism with a Nigerian ceremonial leader and master drummer. The quest transformed into romance, then betrayal, and ultimately, tragedy. Honey in the River, her memoir of the sexy, stormy, spiritual romance with that polygamous shaman, explores the contemporary relevance of ancient African wisdom teachings. Scarbrough weaves the mythology and metaphysics of Ifa, the indigenous religion of the Yoruba people of West Africa, throughout her fast-paced tale which combines spiritual text with descriptions of her experiences in rhythm, dance and deep trance. As she blends archetypal drama and epic soap opera, Scarbrough reveals and befriends her personal shadow.