Santería

Santería, also called Regla de ocha or Lucumí religion, is a Cuban initiatic religion of African [Page 1124]Yoruba origin. Central features of this religion are the worship of divinities called orichas and the regular dialogue with these entities through different techniques. The practice of Santería is connected, in a complementary but also hierarchical way, with other local religious practices (popular Catholicism, Spiritualism, palo monte). The Spanish term santería refers to the identification between orichas and Catholic saints.

Originally practiced by Yoruba slaves from West Africa, locally known as Lucumí, Santería has progressively spread among the whole population. It is now widely practiced not only by Cubans from all socioprofessional and ethnic categories but also by an increasing number of foreigners in and out of Cuba.

Santería constitutes, ...