Santeria In Angola: A Historical And Cultural Perspective

Santeria, also known as Regla de Ocha, Lucumi Religion, or Way of the Saints, is an Afro-Caribbean religion that developed in Cuba during the late 19th century. It is based on the Yoruba beliefs and traditions of West Africa, with some Roman Catholic elements added. The religion teaches the existence of a transcendent creator divinity, Olodumare, and spirits known as oricha. Santeria is primarily found in Cuba's La Habana and Matanzas provinces, although communities exist across the island and abroad, especially among the Cuban diasporas of Mexico and the United States.

Santeria's origins in the Yoruba people of West Africa

Santeria, also known as Regla de Ocha, Regla Lucumi, or Lucumi, is an Afro-Caribbean religion with roots in the traditional religions of the Yoruba people of West Africa. The Yoruba, who were enslaved and brought to Cuba in large numbers during the 19th century, practised a complex system of beliefs and rituals, now referred to as Yoruba traditional religion.

In Cuba, the Yoruba religion mixed with Roman Catholicism, the only religion legally permitted on the island by the Spanish colonial government. The result of this syncretism was Santeria, a new religious system that emerged in the late 19th century.

The Yoruba religion was not abandoned but adapted to the new social conditions of the enslaved population. The Yoruba slaves were forced to adopt the Catholic religion, but they resisted full conversion and continued to practise their traditional religion clandestinely. They achieved this by camouflaging their Yoruba gods: they assigned Catholic saints with similar attributes to the Yoruba deities, or orishas, thereby preserving their traditional worship while appearing to conform to Catholic practices.

Over time, the imported traditional African religions transformed into Santeria, a uniquely Cuban tradition. While it draws on older West African Yoruba beliefs, Santeria is a distinct religion with its own practices and beliefs.

The influence of Roman Catholicism on Santeria

Santeria, also known as Regla de Ocha, Regla Lucumi, or Lucumi, is an Afro-Caribbean religion that developed in Cuba during the late 19th century. It emerged from the syncretism between the traditional Yoruba religion of West Africa, Roman Catholicism, and Spiritism. The influence of Roman Catholicism on Santeria is evident in several aspects of the religion.

One of the most notable influences of Roman Catholicism on Santeria is the syncretism of saints and deities. Each orisha, or deity, in Santeria is equated with a Roman Catholic saint based on similar attributes. For example, the Holy Infant of Atocha, a depiction of Christ as a child, is associated with Elegua, who is seen as having a childlike nature. This syncretism allowed enslaved Yoruba people to continue worshipping their traditional deities while appearing to conform to the imposed Roman Catholic religion.

Additionally, Santeria practitioners are required to be baptised Catholic. This requirement reflects the influence of Roman Catholic rituals and practices. The use of Catholic saints as intermediaries between humans and the orishas is another example of Catholic influence.

The structure and organisation of Santeria also show Catholic influences. The religion is organised around a structured hierarchy, with an ethos of secrecy surrounding its practices. The concept of "making saint" in Santeria resembles Catholic sainthood. Furthermore, Santeria temples, known as casa de santos or "house of the saints", are typically inhabited by priests or priestesses, similar to Catholic churches.

The rituals and ceremonies in Santeria also incorporate Catholic elements. Offerings to the orishas may include flowers, candles, and favourite dishes of the saints with whom they are associated. Animal sacrifices, while not unique to Catholicism, are also employed to gain favour with the orishas, similar to seeking the intercession of saints.

The growth of Santeria in Cuba

Santeria, or the "Way of the Saints", is an Afro-Caribbean religion that developed in Cuba during the late 19th century. It is a syncretic religion, combining elements of the traditional Yoruba religion of West Africa, Roman Catholicism, and Spiritism. The growth of Santeria was shaped by the slave trade in Cuba, as enslaved West Africans brought their religious traditions with them and blended them with the dominant Catholic practices of the Spanish colonial government.

During the Atlantic slave trade of the 16th to 19th centuries, a large number of enslaved West Africans, mostly of Yoruba origin, were brought to Cuba. In this context, the traditional Yoruba religion and its deities, known as oricha, became syncretized with Roman Catholicism. The enslaved Africans were forced to convert to Catholicism but continued to practice their native religious traditions clandestinely. This syncretism led to the association of Yoruba deities with Catholic saints, and the adoption of Catholic rituals and symbols by the enslaved Africans.

In urban areas of West Cuba, the Yoruba religion further merged with Spiritist ideas, giving rise to the earliest Santeria communities or "houses" (ilés) in the late 19th century. Despite the marginalization and persecution faced by the Afro-Cuban community, Santeria continued to spread, especially after the Cuban War of Independence in 1898, which resulted in a constitution that enshrined freedom of religion.

The growth of Santeria was also influenced by emigration, particularly following the Cuban Revolution in the 1950s. Practitioners of Santeria left Cuba and established communities in the United States, Mexico, and other parts of the Americas and Europe. The increased Cuban presence in the United States, for example, contributed to the growth of Santeria in various American cities. Additionally, the revolutionary government's selective support for Afro-Cuban traditions, including Santeria, as a means to boost tourism, further contributed to its spread and visibility.

Today, Santeria is practiced in Cuba and among the Cuban diaspora, especially in Mexico and the United States. While it is most prevalent among working-class Afro-Cuban communities, it is also practiced by individuals of various class and ethnic backgrounds. The exact number of adherents is difficult to determine due to the lack of central authority and private nature of the religion, but it is estimated that there are hundreds of thousands of initiates worldwide.

Santeria's spread beyond Cuba

Santería, also known as Regla de Ocha, Regla Lucumí, or Lucumí, is an Afro-Caribbean religion that developed in Cuba during the late 19th century. It is a syncretic religion that emerged from the blending of traditional Yoruba religion, Roman Catholicism, and Spiritism. The term Santería, meaning "Way of the Saints" in English, was first used by scholars in the 1930s and later adopted by its practitioners.

Santería's spread beyond Cuba can be attributed to the emigration waves that followed the Cuban Revolution in the 1960s. The religion took root in various countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, and several South American nations. In the United States, Santería gained a foothold in cities like Florida, California, New Jersey, and New York, attracting adherents from diverse ethnic backgrounds. The presence of Santería in the United States was further bolstered by the Cuban exiles who continued to practice their faith in their new homes.

In Mexico, Santería established a strong presence in Veracruz and Mexico City. The religion also found adherents in Canada, with Toronto becoming a centre for its practice. Additionally, Santería communities formed in European countries such as Spain and Germany.

The spread of Santería beyond Cuba's borders contributed to its growing links with other orisha-worshipping religions in West Africa and the Americas. This transnational connection was strengthened by visits between religious leaders and practitioners from Cuba and Nigeria. The late 20th century saw a "Yorubization" movement emerge, aiming to remove Roman Catholic influences and bring Santería closer to its traditional Yoruba roots.

The practice of divination in Santeria

Santeria, also known as Regla de Ocha, Regla Lucumi, or Lucumi, is an Afro-Caribbean religion that developed in Cuba during the late 19th century. It is a syncretic religion that combines the beliefs of the Yoruba people of West Africa with elements of Roman Catholicism and indigenous American traditions.

Santeria teaches the existence of a transcendent creator divinity, Olodumare, under whom are spirits known as oricha. These oricha are equated with Roman Catholic saints and are associated with various myths. Practitioners of Santeria, known as creyentes ("believers"), venerate the oricha through rituals, offerings, and divination.

Divination is a central aspect of Santeria, taking place before all major rites and being utilized by adherents at critical moments in their lives. There are three main divinatory techniques employed in Santeria: obi, dilogun, and Ifa.

Obi, also known as biague, involves the casting of four pieces of a dried coconut shell, with the manner in which they fall being used to answer a question. This technique is open to all practitioners of Santeria and is also used in Palo, another Afro-Cuban religion.

Dilogun is a more complex form of divination that entails the casting of cowrie shells, usually a set of 21 shells that have been filed flat on one side. This technique requires knowledge of the patakie stories, which are origin myths and other narratives about the oricha. Dilogun is generally considered open to all practitioners, although some groups reserve it for postmenopausal women.

Ifa is the most complex and prestigious form of divination in Santeria. It involves the casting of consecrated palm nuts, which offer 256 possible configurations. Ifa is closely linked to Santeria, sharing the same mythology and conception of the universe. High priests of Ifa, known as babalawos, are often present at Santeria ceremonies in their capacity as diviners.

Through these divinatory techniques, practitioners of Santeria seek guidance from the oricha, make offerings, and perform rituals to gain their protection and blessings. Divination plays a crucial role in helping adherents navigate critical moments in their lives and make important decisions.

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