Santeria

What is Santeria? 

It is an Afro-Caribbean religion that combines animism, pantheism, ancestor worship, and Roman Catholicism. It is a syncretistic religion that combines its belief in the Orishas - the gods of the Yoruba and Bantu pantheons of southwest Nigerian origin-with the Catholic saints

What does it consist of?

It consists of myths, stories, and legends (or patakí) that provide a basis for its customs and ceremonies. Although more than 400 deities exist, only 16 are actively worshipped. Those deities that form the foundation of the religion are Obatalá, Oshún, Yemaya (or Yemalla), Oyá, and Changó (or Shango). The four warriors are Elegguá, Oggún, Ochosi, and Osun. It is around these foundational and warrior Orishas- or head guardians-that rites of initiation, divination, and magic are celebrated.

How did Santeria arise? 

During the colonization of Cuba, Brazil, Haiti, and Trinidad-thousands of Yoruba natives were transported there as slaves. These slaves remained attached to their religious practices and African traditions, even though they were forced to adjust to the environment of the New World. However, due to Catholic persecution in Cuba, they were unable to practice their religion openly. So the slaves assimilated the symbols of the Roman Catholic Church, the only legal religion in Cuba, with their own. Because of the similarities between the Catholic saints and the Orishas, they gave their deities Catholic names. Thus, when celebrating their rituals, the slaves appeared to be believing Catholics. In reality, they were secretly worshiping the Yoruba Orishas.