Santería or La Regla Lucumí originates in West Africa
in what is now Nigeria and Benin. It is the traditional religion of the Yoruba peoples there. The slave trade brought many
of these people to the shores of Cuba, Brazil, Haiti, Trinidad and Puerto Rico among others. But along with the bodies being
brought over for sale into a life of misery, something else was being brought along. Their souls. And their religion.
First of all, Santería is not a 'primitive'
religion. On the contrary, the Yorubas were and are a very civilized people with a rich culture and deep sense of ethics.
We believe in one god known as Olorun or Olodumare. Olorun is the source of ashé, the spiritual energy that makes up the universe,
all life and all things material.
Olorun interacts with the world and humankind through
emissaries. These emissaries are called orishas. The orishas rule over every force of nature and every
aspect of human life. They are approachable and can be counted on to come to the aid of their followers, guiding us to a better
life materially as well as spiritually.
Communication between orishas and humankind is accomplished
through ritual, prayer, divination and ebó or offerings (which includes sacrifice). Song, rhythms, and trance possession are also means with which we interact with the orishas
and how we are able to affect our day to day lives so that they we may lead deeper and fuller lives during our stay in this
world.
In the New World the orishas and much of the religion
was hidden behind a facade of Catholicism with the orishas themselves represented by various saints. The slave owners would
then say "look at how pious this slave is. She spends all of her time worshipping Saint Barbara." Unbeknownst to them, she
would actually be praying to Shangó, the Lord of Lightning, fire and the dance, perhaps even praying for deliverance from
that very slave owner. This is how the religion came to be known as Santería. The memory of this period of our history is
also why many in our religion regard the term Santería as a derogatory.
The traditions of Santería are fiercely preserved and
full knowledge of the rites, songs, and language are prerequisites to any deep involvement in the religion. Initiates must
follow a strict regimen and are answerable to Olorun and the orishas for their actions. As a person passes through each initiation in the tradition, this knowledge deepens and their abilities
and responsibilities grow accordingly. In fact, during the first year of their initiation into the priesthood, the initiate
or Iyawó or 'bride' of the orisha must dress in white for an entire year. The iyawo must not look into a mirror, touch anyone
or allow themselves to be touched, and they may not wear makeup, or go out at night for this year.
La Santería is famous for its 'magic'. This magic is
based on a knowledge of the mysteries or orishas and how to interact with them to better our lives and the lives of those
who come to us for the aid of the orishas. We live under the premise that this world is a magical one. This knowledge seems
'supernatural' only to those who don't understand it, but it really is quite natural.
Although the people were yanked away from their homes
in Africa and enslaved in the New World, the orishas, the religion and its power could never be chained down and the religion
survives now. Not as an anachronism, but ever growing even now in such places as France and the Netherlands.
Maferefún gbogbo orisha!!!
