"In urban temples, the manbo (priestess) is called manman and the oungan (priest) is called papa. Those initiated in the temple are called "little leaves," or "children of the house." Along with these titles go all the privileges and responsibilities of family membership." Chapter 2, Azaka, p.37

"The ason, like money, is an instrument of coercive power. It exercises control over the spirits, who are thought to be compelled by its sound to come and go, more or less, at the will of the manbo or oungan. Neither money nor the ason can be placed in the bed, for such distancing power implements do not belong in the place where children are made and born, the place where family begins." Chapter 2, Azaka, p. 69

"Papa Ogou in my mother' head say I have to take the ason. You know, my mother don't have no ason. But Papa Ogou say I...