Santeria is a Caribbean religion that blends Roman Catholicism with traditional African practices. It honors a single superior deity, Olorun, and a pantheon of Orishas or saints. Animal sacrifices and dance are used to uplift the Orishas, and the veneration of ancestors is important. Santeria is similar to voodoo, but Orishas are interchangeable with Catholic saints.
Santeria is a widespread religious practice throughout the Caribbean, especially Cuba. It is one of several Caribbean religions that mix Roman Catholic beliefs with traditional African practices. Like many other religions that have their origins in slavery, Santeria is mysterious to those who don’t practice it, and the culture that surrounds it is very closed to outsiders.
Santeria complements beliefs held by the Yoruba and Bantu of Nigeria, Senegal and the Guinea coast. These peoples were brought to the Caribbean as slaves and encouraged to convert to Catholicism in order to be saved. In an effort to conserve their cultural heritage, Santeria arose. Santeria followers are known as Lukumi, meaning friend, or Aborisha, meaning Orisha worshipper.
The Aborisha believe in a single superior deity, called Olorun. Olurun is a powerful source of Ashe, which is the divine life force in the Santeria tradition. All items have Ashe to varying degrees, and understanding Ashe on a deeper level will lead to a better understanding of the world. Olorun is accompanied by a pantheon of Orishas or Saints, all of whom have distinct personalities.
Orishas resemble Catholic saints, and indeed many saints have been borrowed from the Catholic tradition to enrich Santeria. Some of the Orishas reflect deities of Yoruba belief. Famous Orishas include Ogun, the god of metalworking and fire, and Oshun, the goddess of the river. The Orisha pantheon is believed to be infinite. Santeria priests are consecrated to a specific Orisha.
Santeria honors Olorun and its pantheon of saints in many ways. Animal sacrifices are made to feed the Orisha. Feeding the Orisha is supposed to bring luck, purification and forgiveness. It is also believed that the Orisha becomes restless and angry without animal sacrifices and human prayers, which could have catastrophic results. Chickens are commonly used, although larger sacrifices can also be made.
The practice also includes dance and music. During the festivals, dances are performed to uplift the Orishas, who possess bystanders or priests to send messages. Orishas are seen 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 or rituals called Ebo by followers, while a particular Orisha may be requested for a unique need.
The veneration of ancestors, known as Egun, is also very important. The Aborisha believe that ancestors have a larger knowledge base to draw on than living people. Aborisha prays to the Egun and seeks advice on worldly matters. The Eguns help enforce the traditions and rules of life that allow humans and Orishas to live in harmony with each other. The traditional rules of Santeria closely resemble the Ten Commandments obeyed by Catholics, with some additions including a commandment against the eating of human flesh.
Santeria is often compared to voodoo. While the two religions are similar, the main difference is that according to the Santeria tradition, Orishas are interchangeable with Catholic saints. This is not the case with voodoo, which worships orishas as entirely separate deities. A rich cultural tradition accompanies Santeria and other similar religious practices.
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