Santería

Santeria, also known as Lukumi, Regla de Ocha, or “the way of the saints,” is an Afro-Cuban and earth-centered religion transmitted primarily in oral fashion. Its main objective is to find solutions to human problems in a world that is simultaneously physical and spiritual. Its origins can be traced to the 19th century or earlier, when the Yoruba Yorùbá in Spanish) people of West Africa were brought as slaves to Cuba. They are also known as Lukumi people. Lukumi means “friends” in the Yoruba language. The term also applies to Yoruba slaves' descendants, their music and dance, and their dialect.

Santeria is now practiced throughout the Caribbean, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela, and the United States. The religion was brought to the United States by Cuban exiles. Santeria has been observed in Miami, Tampa, New York City, Newark, Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, Gary (Indiana), Savannah (Georgia), and several other urban locations. Storefront botáni-cas provide Santeria figures, incense, and herbs for nearly a million adherents.

During the colonization of Cuba, Brazil, Haiti, and Trinidad, thousands of Yoruba natives were transported there as slaves. These slaves wanted to remain attached to their religious practices and African traditions but were forced to adjust to the New World. They faced widespread persecution by slave masters who prohibited the practice of African religions within their Roman Catholic society. Thus, the religion was practiced in secret, and its survival was due primarily to the convergence of Yoruba's religiosity and Catholicism. Many elements from the Catholic religion and their symbols are often present in Santeria rites.

Santeria devotees believe in a creator who is called Olodumare (“owner of the heavens”; also known as Olorun, Oluwa Orun, or Eleda). His power, called Ashe, is the cosmic energy present in everything in the world. He created the universe and the Orishas. According to Santeria devotees, everyone receives a destiny from Olodumare, which can be fulfilled with the aid and energy of the Orishas. The Orishas govern over nature. They are powerful but not immortal. Their human limitations help them understand and assist humans. For these reasons, devotees strive to establish a personal relationship with them.

Because the Orishas need food, animal sacrifice is a principal form of worship. In exchange, the deities protect and visit the houses of devotees, empowering them and dignifying their living conditions. Sacrifices are performed at birth, marriage, initiation of new members and priests, and other major celebrations, as well as for the cure of the sick and for death rites. Sacrificial animals include chickens, pigeons, doves, ducks, guinea pigs, goats, sheep, and turtles. The sacrificed animal is cooked and eaten, except after healing and death rituals.

Each Orisha has an associated Catholic saint, principle, important number, special color, favorite food, dance posture, and emblem. The following 16 Orishas are recognized in Cuba (their corresponding Catholic saint and principles are added in parenthesis): Agayu (Christopher, fatherhood), Babaluaye (Lazarus, illness), Esu/Elegbara/Eleggua/Elegua (Anthony of Padua, fate), Ibeji (twins Cosmus and Damien, children), Inle (Rafael, medicine), Obatala/Orunmila/Ifa (Mercedes, [Page 1308]clarity), Ogun/Gun (Peter, labor), Olokun (Regla, profundity), Orula (Francis, wisdom, destiny), Osanyin (Joseph, herbs), Oshosi (Norbert, justice), Oshun/Ochun (Caridad, love), Oya/Yasan (Therese, adversity), Shango/Chango/Obakoso (Barbara, passion), Yemoja/Yemaya (Regla, womanhood). The religion does not have a devil figure.

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