Santeria

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Santeria is a synchretistic religion, blending elements of Animism, Roman Catholicism, voodoo, and/or traditional African polytheistic religions.

Of the many religions in the Caribbean to make direct reference to African culture, Cuban Santeria is perhaps the most significant. Many aspects of Yoruba rites feature in this religion, which is a syncretic mix of Catholicism and Yoruba. Deities and holy figures from each are identified with one another, integrating the two religious traditions. Thus, for example, the Shango god of thunder become St Barbara; Orunmila, of divination, become St. Francis; Obatala is Our Lady of Mercy; Elegba is St Peter. The life and power of the gods reside in stones secured beneath the altar. Animal sacrifice and spirit-possession are also elements of Santeria.- Source: African Disapora Religion, Ossie Stuart, in A New Handbook of Living Religions, John R. Hinnels, Ed., Penguin Books, 1998

The religion originated with West African slaves who were shipped to the New World and forced by Spanish colonials to worship as Catholics. The slaves eventually adopted the same Catholic saints because they were able to identify characteristics in them reminiscent of their own African gods.
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Although many practitioners consider themselves Roman Catholic, Santeria is not recognized as a religion by the Catholic Church. The Vatican warns the faithful against all forms of "divination," which is defined broadly and includes many of the rites inherent to Santeria.
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Santeria is also controversial because of its use of animals for sacrifices. Practitioners gained significant protection from the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled in 1993 that such rituals are protected by the Constitution.- Source: The Spirit of Santeria The Washington Post, USA, Jan. 4, 2000

In Cuba, Santería is also known as Lucumí, La Regla de Ocha, and La Regla de Santo. In Brazil, it is called Candomble Jege-Nago. The African name of Santería is Ocha. Literally, the name Santería means the worship of saints. Due to its dependence upon oral traditions and lack of written scriptures, several Afro-American traditions exist.- Source: Footnote 1 in Santeria: A religion of divination, magic, and animal sacrifice by Donald T. Moore.

Articles

Santeria: A religion of divination, magic, and animal sacrifice by Donald T. Moore. An informative overview and introduction, followed by a Christian evaluation.

Books

Santeria: The Beliefs And Rituals Of A Growing Religion In America by Miguel A. De LA Torre.

In Cuba, the Yoruba religion of the orishas melded with saint-rich Catholicism to create Santeria, one of the primary Afro-Caribbean religions and an increasingly significant part of American culture. Brought up in a New York family that practiced Santeria--both his parents are santeros, or priests--De La Torre no longer considers himself a believer but remains deeply affected by his childhood experiences. Writing as both an academic outsider and a privileged former insider, he retells Yoruba myths clearly and expressively, and his analysis of religious syncretism is both scholarly and accessible. Detailed descriptions of the various manifestations of each orisha make this one of the most comprehensive books on the subject, while the complex issue of Santeria ritual, which can include animal sacrifice, is handled unsensationally but vividly. This book should be part of any collection intended to represent the breadth of American religious experience. Patricia Monaghan, Booklist, as quoted at Amazon.com

News and News Archive

Santeria news tracker, provided by Religion News Blog
Other news items in which the term Santeria is mentioned
(Older items, posted between Oct. 25, 1999 and Jan. 31, 2002)

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