What is Santeria

Santeria is a religious practice which is found throughout the Caribbean, Santeria or La Regla Lucumi is an Afro-Cuban religion originating in West Africa in what is now Nigeria and Benin, hailing from the traditional culture and worldview of the people now known as the Yoruba. The slave trade brought many of these people to the shores of Cuba, Brazil, Haiti, Trinidad and Puerto Rico among others. But along with the bodies being brought over for sale into a life of misery, something else was being brought along. Their souls. And their religion. It is one of several Caribbean religions blending Roman Catholic beliefs with traditional African practices. These peoples were brought to the Caribbean as slaves and encouraged to convert to Catholicism so that they could be saved. In an attempt to retain their cultural heritage, Santeria arose. Followers of Santeria are known as Lukumi, which means friend, or Aborisha, which means worshiper of the Orisha. Like many other religions which have their origins in slavery, Santeria is mysterious to those who do not practice it, and the culture which surrounds it is very closed to outsiders. The practice also incorporates dancing and music. At festivals, dances are performed to raise the Orisha, who possess bystanders or priests to send messages. The Orisha are viewed as very human individuals, who enjoy parties and interaction rather than remote veneration. They are also capable of making mistakes. The Orisha may request specific offerings which includes sacrifice. Animal sacrifices are made to feed the Orisha. Feeding the Orisha is supposed to bring good luck, purification, and forgiveness. It is also believed that the Orisha will grow restless and angry without animal sacrifice and human prayer, which might have catastrophic results. Chickens are commonly used, although larger sacrifices may also be made. This are also means with which we interact with the orishas and how we are able to affect our day to day lives so that they we may lead deeper and fuller lives during our stay in this world. In the New World the orishas and much of the religion was hidden behind a facade of Catholicism with the orishas themselves represented by various saints or Santos. The slave owners would then say "look at how pious this slave is. She spends all of her time worshipping Saint Barbara." Unbeknownst to them, she would actually be praying to Shangó, the Lord of Lightning, fire and the dance, perhaps even praying for deliverance from that very slave owner. This is how the religion came to be known as Santeria. The memory of this period of our history is also why many in our religion regard the term Santeria as a pejoratives and derogatory. Santeria is often compared with voodoo. Although the two religions are similar, the primary difference is that under the tradition of Santeria, the Orisha are interchangeable with Catholic saints. This is not the case with voodoo, which worships the Orisha as entirely separate deities. A rich cultural tradition accompanies Santeria and other similar religious practices. First of all, Santeria is not a 'primitive' religion. On the contrary, the Yorubas were and are a very civilized people with a rich culture and deep sense of ethics. We believe in one god known as Olorun or Olodumare. Olorun is the source of ashé, the spiritual energy that makes up the universe, all life and all things material. Olorun is accompanied by a pantheon of Orisha or Saints, all of whom have distinct .The Orisha resemble the Catholic saints, and in fact many saints have been borrowed from Catholic tradition to enrich Santeria. Some of the Orisha reflect deities from Yoruba belief. Well known Orisha include Ogun, the god of metalworking and fire, and Oshun, the goddess of the river. The pantheon of Orisha is believed to be infinite. Priests of Santeria are consecrated to a specific Orisha. Olorun interacts with the world and humankind through emissaries. These emissaries are called orishas. The orishas rule over every force of nature and every aspect of human life. They are approachable and can be counted on to come to the aid of their followers, guiding us to a better life materially as well as spiritually.
Communication between orishas and humankind is accomplished through ritual, prayer, divination and ebo or The traditions of Santeria are fiercely preserved and full knowledge of the rites, songs, and language  are prerequisites to any deep involvement in the religion. Initiates must follow a strict regimen and are answerable to Olorun and the orishas for their actions. As a person passes through each initiation in the tradition, this knowledge deepens and their abilities and responsibilities grow accordingly. In fact, during the first year of their initiation into the priesthood, the initiate or Iyawó or 'bride' of the orisha must dress in white for an entire year. The iyawo must not look into a mirror, touch anyone or allow themselves to be touched, and they may not wear makeup, or go out at night for this year.
La Santeria is famous for its 'magic'. This magic is based on a knowledge of the mysteries or orishas and how to interact with them to better our lives and the lives of those who come to us for the aid of the orishas. We live under the premise that this world is a magical one. This knowledge seems 'supernatural' only to those who don't understand it, but it really is quite natural.
Although the people were yanked away from their homes in Africa and enslaved in the New World, the orishas, the religion and its power could never be chained down and the religion survives now. Not as an anachronism, but ever growing. Santeria is not a game it is a powerful tool it’s a way of life a deep understanding of it must be done before you start practice or think of joining this religion. You have to have the right person guiding you step by step. This religion can help you or it can destroy you. As I go along I will be getting deeper into this religion. I will be posting the uses of Santeria and its magic a well as prayers for each Orisha so please comment and let me know what you would like to know about this religion.

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