Santeria refers to Cuba through the Yorubian nation in West Africa, who were slave of the people in large quantities in the early years of the 19th century. Santeria’s name “Santeria” derives from the correspondences written by certain devotees.

Santeria came into being on the formation of personal relationships via the process of divination, sacrifice, or initiation, as well as mediation (see medium) between the followers of this religion and the gods of the orisha. They offer their followers protection, knowledge, prosperity, and guidance through times of stress. The belief is that the ability to access the orishas is gained through various divination methods.

For instance, in the Ifa oracle, an experienced priest or a Babalawo (“father of mystery”) interprets the falling of consecrated palm nuts to reveal the orishas’ responses to a person’s query. Most Ifa consultations suggest a specific type of sacrifice to one or more orishas. If you do not know the religion, read this basic guide regarding santeria ifa religion Yoruba.

Rituals and customs

Santeria rituals enable humans to remain in touch with Orishas. These ceremonies include drumming, dancing, speaking, and eating in the presence of spirits.

Santeria is home to a small number of buildings dedicated to the religion. Rituals usually take place in halls that people give rent for a reason or at private Santeria residences. In the context of appropriate practices, Orishas can be with the believers in these pious places.

Materials for Santeria rituals are available in specialty stores known as botanicas.

The dead and birth

Santeria is a belief that their head holds the person’s essence,  also known as ore. It asserts that before conception, an Aleda is taken ahead of Olodumare, where it is assigned its primary character  and is connected to the oricha, who is “the owner of the head.”

The idea of the eleda comes from the Yoruba tradition of religion, which is believed to be an individual’s “spiritual double.” In Santeria, this idea has been incorporated into Roman Catholic beliefs about guardian angels and Spiritist beliefs about the protecciones, or spirits of protection. There isn’t a strict theology on this subject; consequently, the interpretations differ.

Many practitioners believe that every person is destined to a particular destiny, or Camino (road), however, their fate isn’t wholly predetermined.It is believed that everyone has a future.

The veneration of the deceased is an essential aspect of Santeria.The faith entails praying to spirits of the dead, also known as egun, espiritus, or Muertos.The followers consider that death should be honored with respect, reverence, and compassion; they are invited to participate in any ceremonies.

While the dead aren’t believed to be more potent than the oricha, they’re considered capable of helping those who live and can communicate via visions, intuition, or spirits. The practice of Santeria is a method of teaching that one can be taught to recognize as well as communicate with the dead.

Practitioners often make offerings, usually seven glasses of water, to the egun to please and delight them.Particularly praising are those egun considered to be ancestral relatives;they can be hereditary forebears as well as former members of the congregation, with people believing that a person becomes an ancestor after they die.

Beliefs

Santeria adherents believe that a single God has created all of the worlds and that the orishas look after the world. Like the ancient Greek gods, the orishas represent different natural forces and particular human traits. For instance, Yemaya is the orisha of the sea and motherhood.

Santeria is home to a small number of buildings dedicated to the religion. Rituals usually take place in halls that people give rent for a reason or at private Santeria residences. In the context of appropriate practices, Orishas can be with the believers in these pious places.

Orishas bring miracles for their followers and be responsible for unfortunate circumstances. If a person is a consistently poor luck, they should befriend their orisha to attain equilibrium and harmony within their lives. However, the followers cannot speak directly to the divine beings. Santeria priests, also known as Babalawos, serve as intermediaries within the religious practice. They interpret gods’ wishes through divination, an elaborate ritual that typically includes drums, rum cigars, and sacrifices of animals. The connection with Santeros can also benefit orishas, as they only exist if people worship them. Orishas are not immortal and rely on the sacrifice and devotion of humans for survival.

Diversity

There is a lot of variety in terms of political and social structure among Yoruba; however, they have several fundamental characteristics. Inheritance and succession depend on the patrilineal lineage; patrilineage members reside together under a headman’s supervision. They have specific names and customs, worship their god, and have the lineage land. Political power is given to the Oba and the council of chiefs. Constituent towns have a leader who is subordinate to the Oba. The Oba can also be an official of the ceremony and is very pious.

Here are five interesting facts about the ancient Yoruba culture:

• By santeria ifa religion Yoruba mythology, the entire Yoruba people descend from Odua, the heroic hero. Odua (or Oduduwa.
• The Yorubian language, is part of the Congo-Kordofanian languages. There are many language dialects; however, most users can communicate with one another.
• Many people believe that the Yoruba homeland is in West Africa, and most Yoruba reside in Nigeria. There are also other groups in neighboring states, Togo and Benin.
• The Yoruba are among the most prominent ethnic groups in Africa.
• The Yoruba are a very social and expressive group of people who celebrate major events by throwing out colorful celebrations. Weddings, namesake ceremonies, funerals, and housewarming parties are common in an extravagant and traditional manner.

Bottom Line

In conclusion we can say that the Santeria Yoruba religion is not very complex to understand. We can conclude it in four fundamental principles. The first one is the belief in the oneness of God. Second one is that the spirits are fundamental. The third one is to have faith in the ancestral spirits. Fourth fundamental principal is about the trust in the existence of mysterious powers. People who tends to have faith in these principles are not hesitant about making any decisions, they have faith in the supreme being.