What
is Santería?
Santería or La Regla Lucumí originates in West Africa in what
is now Nigeria and Benin. It is the traditional religion of the
Yoruba peoples there. The slave traders brought many of
these people to the shores of Cuba, Brazil, Haiti, Trinidad and
Puerto Rico. With the people came their religion - known
today as Santeria..
Santería 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.
The followers of Santeria 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 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 ebó or offerings (which
includes sacrifice). Song, rhythms, and trance possession 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. The slaveowners 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 slaveowner. This is how the religion
came to be known as Santería. The memory of this period of our
history is also why many in our religion regard the term Santería
as a derogatory.
The traditions of Santería 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 Santería 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 even now in such places
as France and the Netherlands.
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