What is Santeria?

Question

I need to know about thier gods, holidays, etc...

Answer 1

Santería, also known as Lukumí or Regla de Ocha, is a set of related religious systems that fuse Catholic Christian beliefs with traditional Yoruba beliefs. In the Yoruba language, Lukumí means "friends" and also applies to descendants of Yorùbá slaves in Cuba, their music and dance, and the cubanized dialect of the Yorùbá language.

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Deities
In Lukumí beliefs, Olorun, from Oluwa Orun (owner of the heavens) (also rendered Oluwa, Olodumare, Eleda (the creator)) is the supreme deity. He is the creator both of the universe, and of the Orishas, including:

Aggayu Sola/Agayu/Aggayu/Angayu
Babalu Aye/Babaluaye/Babaluaiye/Shakpana/Oluwo Popo/Asojano/Azojuano
Dada
Egun/Eggun/Egungun
Erinle/Inle
Esu/Elegbara/Eleggua/Elegua: Owner of Vital Force, Eshu: The Gatherer of a great multitude
Ibeyi
Igbo Were/Igbowere - Mother of Osain
Iroko
Nana Buruku
Oba/Obba
Obatala King of the White Cloth
Ochosi/Ochossi, Osoosi
Odde/Ode
Odu/Oddu - aka: Olofin
Oduduwa/Odua
Oggue/Ogue/Oge - Campanion to Shango
Ogoun/Ogun/Oggun
Oke - Companion to Obatala
Olodumare - God Almighty
Olokun, god/goddess of the bottom of the ocean.
Olofin - aka: Odu/Oddu
Olorun
Orisha Oko/Orisa Oko
Orun
Orunmila/ELA/Orunla/Orula/IFA
Osain/Ozain/Osanyin
Oshun/Ochun
Osun/Ozun - Represents the spirit of an individual.
Oya/Yansa/Iyansa/Iyansan
Shango/Chango/Obakoso/Sango
Yemoja/Yemaya
Yewa


Each Orisha has its specific nick name, symbols, offerings, music, archetype, etc..

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Beliefs and rituals

The sacred belief system of the Lukumi prevent non-adherents from participating in ceremonial rites. Nearly all Lukumi ceremonies are reserved for priests and the newly initiated.

Santeria was traditionally transmitted orally, although in the last decade a number of books have been published on the tradition. Practices include animal offering, dance, and sung invocations to the Orishas. Of these the most controversial is animal sacrifice. Followers of Lukumí point out that the killings are conducted in a safe and humane manner. The priests charged with doing the sacrifice are trained in humane ways to kill the animals. Furthermore, the animal is cooked and eaten afterwards by the community. In fact chickens, a staple food of many African-descended and Creole cultures, are the most common sacrifice; the chicken's blood is offered to the Orisha, while the meat is consumed by all. Also of note is that the practice of animal sacrifice was historically common amongst many religions, most notably Judaism, Hinduism, and Islam. In Judaism for example, altar sacrifices are of three kinds: sin offerings, burnt offerings, and peace offerings. All in accordance with Mosaic Law.

Trees are also offered to the Orisha. Drum music and dancing are a form of prayer and will sometimes induce a trance state in initiated priest, who become "possessed" and will channel the Orisha, giving the community and individuals information, perform healing etc. (see Yoruba music). One's ancestors, egun, are held in high esteem in Lukumí. All ceremonies and rituals in the Lukumi religion begin with paying homage to one’s ancestors.

The Lukumi believe in a creator who is called Olodumare (God). There is no specific belief in a Devil since the Yoruba belief system is not a dualistic philosophy - good versus evil, God versus a Devil. Instead the universe is seen as containing forces of expansion and forces of contraction. These forces interact in complex ways to create the universe. All things are seen to have positive aspects, or Iré, and negative aspects, or Ibi. Nothing is seen as completely “good” or completely “evil” but all things are seen as having different proportions of both. Similarly no action is seen as universally as “wrong” or “right” but rather can only be judged with the context and circumstances in which it takes place. This concept is sometime derided as “situational ethics.” In this context the individual is seen as made up of both positive/constructive impulses as well as negative/destructive impulses. Similarly, an individual's talents and facilities are seen as having a potential of both positive and negative expression. Therefore, there is a great deal of attention and focus on each individual striving to develop good character and doing good works. Good character, or Iwapele, is defined as doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do, not out of fear of retribution or as a way of seeking rewards, but simply because it is right. All humans are seen as having the potential of being good and blessed people (no original sin), although they have a potential to make evil choices, and the universe is seen as benevolent.

Answer 2

Merry Meet Celtic Winds, Merging Santeria with Wicca is hard. The only thing that both of them have in common is magick. Santeria is a Christian based belief system that uses magick and herbs in their practice. Sort of like the Jewish Kabala. It is based in Hebrew but incorporates magick into its practice. Now I am not saying anything bad about Santeria or about those who practice it. All I am saying is it is hard to merge the religious aspect of Santeria with Wicca. I actually know several individuals who practice Santeria, and we consider each other friends and fellowship when we get the chance. Which is not often enough! Ultimately it’s your choice on your path, but be aware that you might be loosing one for the other. If they are family or very close friends there should be nothing keeping you from joining them in ritual. At least I don’t see a reason, unless they believe that you are not saved. In that case you might have to be re-baptized or convert completely to share with them on a spiritual and magickal level. Again be careful, not to give one up for the other. Many Wiccans feel alone because they are separated from friends that they have known their whole life or family simply because they found Wicca as a spiritual path. Stand strong, you are not alone, and the Wiccan family is growing larger every day. Even if you are alone now, you won’t be for long. Sorry, didn’t mean to get on a soap box. If anyone considers that I did or is offended by my statement I do apologize here and now. Always in Light and Love Nyjh

Answer 3

I am a practitioner of Santeria, Voodoo and white magic. I'm a practicing witch. Santeria, like Voodoo, is a religion that came from the African slaves when they were forced to practice Catholicism. The slaves hid the gods within the Catholic saints. I am a child of Chango and Oya. Ashe and blessed be.

Answer 4

SANTERIA has been a prominent religion in Cuba for many years. However, this form of worship has been gradually introduced to other countries. For instance, one of the main marketplaces in downtown Mexico City features shops that specialize in Santeria paraphernalia, such as crosses, candles, amulets, and fetishes. Most of these shops are known as botanicas, and they can be found in other large cities of the Americas
Santeria has the basic features and traditions of an ancient African religion practiced among the Yoruba in Nigeria. When Yoruba were taken to the Caribbean islands as slaves between the 1770’s and the 1840’s, they took their religion with them.
Santeria practices and music are becoming more secular in nature. Various forms of entertainment and some aspects of Latin-American culture are laced with elements of Santeria. These are becoming more popular and are widely regarded as harmless. Nevertheless, Christians do well to avoid anything that is in direct conflict with Bible principles regardless of how popular it is or how harmless it seems to be.—2 Corinthians 6:14-18.

Answer 5

Santeria is a religion practiced by Black Cubans - it is derived from the tribal animistic religion of the Yoruba people of Nigeria (the place where many Black Cubans ancestors came from). The Cubans changed the name of many of the Yoruba Gods to the names of Catholic Saints, to protect themselves from repression during Slavery. Black people in Louisiana, Haiti and Brazil have similar African-derived religions.

Answer 6

I don't know, but Sublime does not practice it.

I don't practice Santeria
I ain't got no crystal ball
Well I had a million dollars but I
I spent it all.

Answer 7

I think that was a song by Metallica....

Oh wait....

That was "Sanitarium".......back before I got saved and used to listen to metal.

Honestly....I don't know.

Answer 8

its basically witchcraft, devil worshiping nothing good man separate yourself from it.