Let's Talk About Santeria

[The Hammer]

We've had a lot of speculation about the religious proclivities of certain immigrants here in the US. So I thought, why not actually discuss it?

So here we are: Let's talk about Santeria.

"Santería, also known as Regla de Ocha, Regla Lucumí, or Lucumí, is an Afro-Caribbean religion that combines elements of Yoruba religion, Roman Catholicism, and Spiritism. It originated in Cuba in the late 19th century as a result of the slave trade."

What do you know about Santeria? Do you know any practitioners of these beliefs?

Santeria | Definition, Meaning, History, & Facts | Britannica

Santeria, the most common name given to a religious tradition of African origin that was developed in Cuba and then spread throughout Latin America and the United States. It centers on the personal relationship between practitioners and the orishas, the deities of the Yoruban nations of West Africa.

www.britannica.com

 

[The Hammer]

it is that time of year

What do you know about Santeria?

 

[Spice]

The only religious tradition of US immigrants that I have learned is from Mexico - Posada. Last year I was honored to have the tradition that begins on December 16th kicked off at my door.

What is a Posada? A traditional Mexican
religious celebration that represents Mary
and Joseph's pilgrimage from Nazareth to
Bethlehem.
What happens during a Posada? Family.
friends, and neighbors get together at
someone's house. Mary and Joseph are
represented either by somebody dressing
up as them or, more commonly, by
figurines, as their journey looking for a
place to stay is re-enacted. There are
prayers, food, music, fireworks, a piñata,
and a lot of fun!
When are Posadas celebrated? They go on
for nine days, from December 16th to the
24th.

I didn't have fireworks, we had a bon fire, and my poor piñata was pitiful, but I was touched by their dedication to the tradition and it was certainly fun! Check out You-tube for the song. It's tune is unique!

 

[JustGeorge]

I can't hear the word "Santeria" without hearing this:

Spoiler: Sublime

 

[The Hammer]

Cuban Santeria Tradition and Practices

Santeria is a distinctly Cuban religion that draws from Catholicism and west African animism.

www.anywhere.com

"Santeria is a fusion of Catholic practices and African folk beliefs. It emerged in Cuba during the 17th century, and has been embedded in Cuban society ever since. These days, it’s far more prevalent than Catholicism on the island—Santeros outnumber Catholics by 8-1. Cuba is still the religious center of Santería, but the faith has spread to many other countries as well, including the U.S."


"Santería followers believe that one God created the universe and that the world is cared for by lesser divine beings known as orishas. Similar to ancient Greek gods, the orishas represent various forces of nature along with certain human characteristics—for example, Yemayá is the orisha of the sea and motherhood."

 

[SalixIncendium]

What do you know about Santeria? Do you know any practitioners of these beliefs?

I just know that Bradley Nowell didn't practice it. Nor did he have a crystal ball.
______________________________________________________________________

 

[Kathryn]

I don't know any practitioners of Santeria and I'm not really familiar with it.

 

[Quintessence]

It's an indigenous (or Pagan) religion in the sense that it is an extension of connection to place and ancestors but with a cleaner origin story than that of contemporary Pagans like myself. Whereas descendants of colonialists like myself are reconstructing pre-colonial traditions that were destroyed by our own caucasian ancestors (shame, that), Santería was an attempt to preserve indigenous religious practices from colonialists as African Americans were transplanted from their ancestral homes. The result was a syncretic religion that fused indigenous practices with elements of Catholicism. Santería is not the only case example of this - the aggressive proselytizing of historical Christianity resulted in a lot of syncretism with indigenous/Pagan religions. In any case, it's a good example of a modern indigenous/Pagan religious tradition. Focused on practice and ritual, polytheistic (there are multiple subjects of reverence, the orishas), ancestors worship, etc. Haven't known someone who practices personally, but given I live in a state with a very tiny African American population that's unfortunately not surprising.

 

[JustGeorge]

Haven't known someone who practices personally, but given I live in a state with a very tiny African American population that's unfortunately not surprising.

I don't know anyone who practices Santeria, but I'm optimistic that one day...

We've got some hidden gems in Iowa. Did you know Waterloo has the world's largest collection of Haitian art?

 

[Quintessence]

I don't know anyone who practices Santeria, but I'm optimistic that one day...

We've got some hidden gems in Iowa. Did you know Waterloo has the world's largest collection of Haitian art?

Huh... something else to see if I'm over there some time again. There's interesting stuff all over if one looks, I find.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

We've had a lot of speculation about the religious proclivities of certain immigrants here in the US. So I thought, why not actually discuss it?

So here we are: Let's talk about Santeria.

"Santería, also known as Regla de Ocha, Regla Lucumí, or Lucumí, is an Afro-Caribbean religion that combines elements of Yoruba religion, Roman Catholicism, and Spiritism. It originated in Cuba in the late 19th century as a result of the slave trade."

What do you know about Santeria? Do you know any practitioners of these beliefs?

Santeria | Definition, Meaning, History, & Facts | Britannica

Santeria, the most common name given to a religious tradition of African origin that was developed in Cuba and then spread throughout Latin America and the United States. It centers on the personal relationship between practitioners and the orishas, the deities of the Yoruban nations of West Africa.

www.britannica.com

Santeria in Haiti? Santeria is a Cuban thing, as far I know. In Haiti, it's Vodou. Like in the US, we have Louisiana Voodoo. The connection is the ties to the French, which are similar in Haiti and Louisiana. My dad and his family are from New Orleans and I lived there for a short time as a young child so it's been an interest of mine for a bit, but I just know some basic things. My mom put a gris-gris curse on our relatives (well, she had someone else do it and paid for it). Apparently it worked. Lol

Haitian Vodou - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Louisiana Voodoo - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Jimmy]

Sounds like Bahai.
Amalgamation of religions

 

[jhonsteve111]

What is Santeria, and how does it blend African, Catholic, and spiritual traditions? Do you know anyone who follows this belief system?

 

[JustGeorge]

Happy Friday!

 

[Spice]

Happy Friday!

I just finished reading The Purple Hibiscus that incorporates the Nigerian tradition into Catholicism. Though the book's story covers several social aspects more strongly, the traditional religious beliefs were profound, IMO.

 

[JustGeorge]

I just finished reading The Purple Hibiscus that incorporates the Nigerian tradition into Catholicism. Though the book's story covers several social aspects more strongly, the traditional religious beliefs were profound, IMO.

It sounds like an interesting read!

 

[Spice]

It sounds like an interesting read!

It's pretty good. I gave it 4 stars.

 

[JustGeorge]

It's pretty good. I gave it 4 stars.

Why not 5?

 

[Spice]

Why not 5?

For me to give a book a 5 it has to effect me on a permanently deep basis, plus hit all the marks in writing, editting, character building, etc. This was a very good debut novel for Adichie, and I will be reading more of her work expecting utter amazement. The last read I gave a 5 to was Lost Horizons , by James Hilton.

 

[The Hammer]

Santeria in Haiti? Santeria is a Cuban thing, as far I know. In Haiti, it's Vodou. Like in the US, we have Louisiana Voodoo. The connection is the ties to the French, which are similar in Haiti and Louisiana. My dad and his family are from New Orleans and I lived there for a short time as a young child so it's been an interest of mine for a bit, but I just know some basic things. My mom put a gris-gris curse on our relatives (well, she had someone else do it and paid for it). Apparently it worked. Lol

Haitian Vodou - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Louisiana Voodoo - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Yeah that's my mistake. Not the first time I've mixed those up.
Can I at least be forgiven that they both have Yoruba and Catholic influence?

Voudou is one of those areas I never really looked into. But maybe I should familiarize myself

Maybe we could discuss both here? I don't mind.