Bristol (history, George Mason U., Fairfax, Virginia) examines Afro-Mexican ritual practice during the time period from the intensification of the importation of African slaves into Mexico in 1580 to approximately 1700. The discussion considers many aspects of colonial life: the people--slaves, servants, and masters, civil and ecclesiastical officials and crown subjects, clerics and worshippers, healers and clients; the cultural groups, including Native Americans, Iberians, creoles, and mixed people; and the varied ritual practices--Christianity, west and west central African practices, and Native American practices. Questions explored include who the Afro-Mexicans were, and whether they had common experiences, backgrounds, and goals; the kinds of rituals they practiced and for what purposes; which rituals, if any, were specifically Afro-Mexican; and what separated Afro-Mexicans' rituals from those that other groups practiced. For students and scholars of history and Latin America. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)