SANTERIA

Santeria Religion 101

DEVELOP YOUR PSYCHIC ABILITY

In order to understand Santeria I have defined a few of the terms that are extremely important if you wish to learn and or fully comprehend this Afrocuban culture. I welcome you to this website and encourage you to bookmark this website since alot of the information will probably take you a few hours and or days to read. Please feel free to visit the forum for active discussions and definitely tune into our blog - here you can comment and leave your input on the articles that are published. 

Have you heard of myspace.com? It's a network community website - there are many santeros that are registered, however, SanteriaReligion101.com has developed a networking community website specifically targeted for the Santeros and all spiritual cultures. Such as Santeria, 21 Divisions, Voodoom, Hoodoo and all related cultures.  Please check out the Santeria Community here.

Santeria Defined:  A combination of religious traditions or beliefs that combines a similar African traditional religion. Santeria originated in the country of Cuba and Brazil. This religion is a combination of the traditional Yoruba faith and the worship of catholic saints.

Define Yoruba:  Yoruban's are members of a West African Community based in the region of southwest Nigeria.

Define Orisha: An Orisha is spiritual being or presence that is interpreted as one of the manifestations of GOD (Olofi) within the Santeria Religion or faith.


How to Determine who is your crowned Orisha in Lucumi?

Before getting the guerreros one needs to get their elekis or elekes (collares) there are two sets of warriors (one form the babalaos) and the other from santeros meaning that the elegua that you get from the babalao is exu and the santero is elegua. The marking of the head can be done when you recieve your mano de orunla, it is advised that the person who is doing such should already have godparents.� i have heard some people go and receive orunla with out having elekes, which would mean that they dont have any godparent representation, normally this is not very recommended.

Santeria or "La Regla Lucumm" as it's also known originated in the region of west Africa. "La Regla Lucumm" is the traditional faith of the Yoruba inhabitants. This religion sprung from the traditional slave trades that occurred in early days of the religion. The Yoruban natives were abducted from their country and unwillingly transported to the Caribbean countries of Cuba, Haiti and Brazil, Trinidad, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic among other Caribbean islands.

The Yoruba people were abducted and transported to these islands without regard for the beliefs, traditions or their lives but the abductors failed to realize that the inner faith and passion that was within the hearts of these people were very  powerful and no abductors had control over their faith. These people brought with them their traditions, their souls  and the powerful faith in their deities

When they arrived at their Caribbean destinations they were unwillingly baptized within the Roman Catholic Faith and forced to leave behind all of their traditional beliefs and practices. These people were  resourceful, intelligent, committed and appreciative to their Santeria Religion that they managed to come up with a creative way to fuse and conceal their beliefs within the Roman Catholic Church by choosing a catholic saint and associating the Saint to each of the Orisha of their traditional practices.

There a several interpretations of the association and meaning of the "Orishas" within this religious practice of Santeria and the spiritual functions or gifts attributed to each:

ELEGGUA - Is recognized as the keeper of the roads and the world. He is the gatekeeper that stands in the path of life and the celestial grounds. He is the interpreter or median between the Orishas, Humanity and "Olorum", or in other words "God".  When a member of this faith wants to pray  they initially call upon his presence as he is the interpreter or the gatekeeper between humanity and the "Orisha". Eleggua has strong powers, without his authority nothing can be done in the celestial grounds or in the human society. Eleggua has several associations to Roman Catholic Saints. Two of the more common associations are the image to the left ( "El Nino de Atocha" or Saint Anthony). The colors associated to this orisha or spiritual figure are Black and Red and the number associated to him is the number three.
 

OLORUM - Is represented as the "Father" or God of the sky he is viewed as a God of tranquility, purity and harmony. He is normally and strongly linked with the color white and has power and control over all white elements such as the brain, bones, teeth, clouds and much more. He is known to be the spiritual father of Obatala and Odudua.

OBATALA - Is known as the parent of the Orishas and all human kind. This spiritual being is  known to be the creator of the world and is a strong enforcer of justice. Obatala is strongly associated with characteristics of Wisdom, Peace, Moral, Compassion, Ethics and Purity. The saint he represents is "Our lady of Mercy" (Image to the left). The colors that are associated with him are white but he is above all other colors in the spectrum and the number associated to his paths is the number eight as he is the parent or creator of the Orishas and Human Kind. Obtatala has a number of  "Caminos" or "Paths", eight of them are females and eight of them are males.

Obatala is a servant of the spiritual being known as "Olofi" and under his direction Obatala became the creator of mankind and the Orisha. Legend has it that Obatala took pleasure in drinking palm wine. One day he ingested too much wine while performing his fashioning of the bodies of those to be born. Many of his creations were born with deformities due to his consumption of the palm wine. Olofi punished Obatala for his mistakes and forbade him from drinking palm wine while performing his most important task. All those who were born with deformities are considered to be children of Obatala and ridiculing them is not permitted. One common group of people that are known to be children of Obatala are the Albinos. As we mentioned earlier Obatala rules over the color white. Obatala threw a mantle of white over his children to prevent evil from touching them. In the province of Haiti Obatala is known as Damballah.


YEMAYA - In Santeria Yemaya is the spirit of motherhood and is associated with the Ocean and the moon. She is commonly associated with "The Virgin of Regla" (Image to the left) and Mary (Star of the Sea). Yemaya rules over maternity in our lives. In the practice of Santeria she is seen as the mother of all. The name YEMAYA is a short version of "Yey Omo Eja" which stands for "Mother of  Fish". This representation of Yemaya stands for all of the children that she has. Modern science has a theory that life began at the sea. When we are conceived we spend the first moments of our existence in our mothers wombs inside their amniotic fluids. We develop through all of the stages of maternal youth and transform from the Fetus stage form which can be viewed as a "fish" form and develop into human babies. Yemaya displays herself as the mother of all since she is the energy or power of all manifestations. Yemaya is like the oceans and the rivers she is deep and unknown but without a doubt caring and nurturing. Yemaya embodies all of the maternal characteristics and her colors are blue and white and her number is the number seven. She is also known to be the mother of all riches and the rules over the witches and secrets. She is viewed as the Orisha of mercy because she never betrays her children.
 

OYA - Oya is the overseer of the winds and the gatekeeper of the cemetery. She is the governor of the dead or the "Egun". She is a powerful warrior and embodies the natural forces of the Nigerian river, lightning and thunder. In the form of an animal she is viewed as the water buffalo  and unlike other Orisha the water buffalo is not her familiar but her actual self. She is a shape shifter judging from her many manifestations. She provides her children or the people who worship her with the ability to change them selves.  Her colors are maroon and white and the number nine is commonly associated which recalls her title of "Yansa" which translates to "mother of nine". she is a strong warrior and rides to battle by Chango or "Shang".

Oya loves to dance and is the only orisha who has the courage to confront the spirit of the dead. Her children offer her eggplant, hens, female goats, sheep, black horsehair, copper and red wine among a few other offerings. The common day to offer servings to Oya is on a wednesday. Her children wear read beads to represent her prescenge among them and her place within the home lies in the study or the library.

BABALU AYE - Babalu is the orisha name for St.Lazarus. When the word Bablu Aye is translated it means "Father of the World" so he is commonly referred to as Father of the world.

He is the Orisha who oversees all diseases and epidemics. In today's society many of his followers pray to him for health and in many cases for the solution to a deadly disease like HIV and AIDS. The colors associated with Babalu are Brown, Black and Purple and the number associated with him is the number 17. In this religion his followers offer him white wine, sesame seeds and candy in addition to a number of other servings.

Every Orisha has a date attributed to them in which the religion members offer servings and prayers. Babalu Aye's attributed date is the 17th of December and many of the people who practice this faith will hold vigils on the night before and await for his arrival. Some of his followers will wear the beads that are attributed to him and they will normally be blue bead with small white stripes across them.

In most cases people that are homeless, hurt, diseased, or those who have not been accepted by society are identified with Babalu. He is an educator in humility and responsibility. He has compassion for those who are faithful to him but will scold those that are not humble to the needs of others with fatal or unexplained sickness. You should always think twice before ridiculing or being disrespectful to someone who is unfortunate because it may be St.Lazarus or Babalu Aye in human disguise.

OCHOSI - Ochosi is normally associated with Saint Norbert. He is huntsman and represents heavenly justice and humanity. He works closely with Oggun to represent justice stability. He is a strong enforcer of perfection and he looks for "The Perfect" creature to present to the creator. He is represented by pureness and idealism and he is against all those who are rebels of justice and morality.

He is represented as a male of unearthly beauty. His is represented through the color violet. Everything that is attributed to a huntsman lifestyle is associated with Ochosi. From a machete, to a fishing gear, cross bow or any type of hunting materials.

His followers will celebrate his birthday on the 6ht of June and he is normally offered corn, palm oil, a goat, chickens, roosters, pigeons or any other type of hunting bird.

He is  associated with individuals who are smart, intelligent, alert and creative. Family oriented individuals and those who are ambitious and love taking a shot at any opportunities or chances.

OGGUN - Effort and hard work are strongly represented by Oggun. He is attributed to the characteristics of violence, force and energy. He is an older spirit and is a sibling to Eleggua, Chango and Ochosi. As in many families he has many disagreements with his brothers. He is an ironworker for the Orishas and he works around the clock without any rest.

It has been said that he is a black handsome and strong man. He wears a green camisole and a palm frond skirt. He has also been known to carry a machete. He has a black dog by his side every second of time. He is known for his strong temper and is also said that he can be dangerous. There are several tools taht are attributed and represented by this Orisha: The Knife, The anvil, The pick, The chisel, The hammer, The Rake and The Spade and. These tools are kept in a black pot or cauldron. This black pot also holds 3 horseshoes. He is strongly associated with IRON but is also associated with work, minerals and metals.

His servants or followers provide offerings for Oggun on June 29th, his numbers are three and seven and his servants or followers will normally offer cigars, rum, toy cars, weapons, and toy airplanes.

CHANGO - Chango is probably one of the most recognized Orishas. He is represented by Fire, Thunder and Lightning. He has passion and virility. He is known to be a spirit of power and magnificent beauty and wisdom. Chango is courageous and a great witch. He is also a "flirt" or womanizer but also charming and very generous. Most of his followers will pray to him on his days of the week which are Friday and Saturday but most people will pray and serve him offerings on Fridays. He is mainly honored on December 4th which is also St.Barbara day within the Roman Catholic Calendar. Most of his followers will offer sacrifices of Roosters, Baby Bulls, Sheep, Pigs, Goats, Deer's, Rabbits and the Oxen. In the event a ritual to reverse a hex or curse is being performed a Horse is normally required to remove it or to change a predicted death.

His colors are white and red and the beads are made of 6 red beads followed by 6 white beads. Then the read bead will alternate with a white bad 6 times. This will be repeated until bead chain is complete.

Most people will place an image of St.Barbara and the African representation of Chango in the same altar because both idol Images have similar tools. A sword or a machete. With his weapons he can create or destroy anything he desires.

Santeria Dictionary and Terminology

• ABORISHA: Aborisha - is a common term that is used to refer back to the worshiper and the actual worship of the Orisha's.

• La Regla Lucumi: This is another term that is used to refer to the "Santeria"
   
• Macubma: A Synonym that is sometimes used to refer to "santeria", but it really refers to a group of Brazilian religions.

• Lukumi is also used; it is related to a Yoruba word meaning "friend". It is used to refer to both the religion and the practitioners of Afro-Cuban  worship of the Orishas.

Dominican Culture: The 21 Divisions or La 21 Division

The name 21 division / 21 nacion (in haiti) is another way of saying vodou.  Vodoun (be it hatian or dominican) consists of 21 divisions (like families and houses) of misterios (lwas or spirits).  These divisions sort of give a feel of how these misterios act and also where they come from.  For example the Division Rada - (which would be the division that has Anaisa Pye ... Belie Belcan ... Candelo Cedife ... Metrezili) are very cool misterios (meaning very close to god / pure / and some might say delayed with their reflexes)  Division Petwo - Would be the division of hot ancestors like (Ezili Dantor ... Gran Bwa Ile ... Ti Jean etc...) these are very fierce fast acting .... sometimes uncontrolable spirits ... you have your Division Nago - Which is the Orisha de Youruba land (like ogun shango ... etc...)  Division Ghuede - Which are the spirits of the cementary who are very sexual and funny (Ghuede V ... Ghuede N'himbo, Lubana (Santa Martha La Dominadora) etc.... there are many many more divisions that make up the 21 divisions i've only mentioned the divisions that are most used ....

21 DIVISION

There is a very important loa of the "21 Divsion" that is known as San Miguel, Saint Michael or Belie Belcan. His birthday is on September 29th. His colors are red and green and he is a very old Loa or spirit.

When he takes possession of a "horse" otherwise a host or medium the body seems to hunch as if an old and short man has taken over, the right leg of the medium bends back and the spirit begins to limp as he is walking in the mediums body. After Belie enters the body his general salute will be "Bonsua a la Societe!" and "Mwen Se Belie Belcan" which translates into I am belie Belcan.

ANA ISA "PIE" OR "PYE"

Anaisa is one of the most famous and loved spirits or loa of the 21 divisions. Her feast/Birthday is on July 26^th. Since she is the spiritual wife or partner of Belie Belcan (San Miguel) in all Dominican Voodoo or Voodun one would normally find Images of Saint Anne, Santa Ana or Anaisa Pie (Pye) next to the image of San Miguel, (St.Michael) the arch angel.

In her spiritual form when mounting a �caballo� she is a  very flirtatious and feminine metresa (metreza). In the Dominican Culture she is known as the spiritual queen of Love when she takes possession and normally arrives with great laughter and �routyness�. Her Colors are yellow and Bright Golds. When she arrives she puts on her �Fula�, �Panuelo� or (Kerchief) which would be a yellow or bright gold color.

After she dresses herself in the gold and yellow colors she will normally request some perfume and she drenches herself from head to toe and then back up.Afterwards, she ask for beer which is her drink of choice. And then she will ask for a cigarette and after this she is ready to consult. She loves to dance, laugh, drink and smoke. She loves everything regarding happiness, her parties or "fiestas de palo" are full of color and flowers.

"La 21 Division or 21 Divicion"

The "21 Divisions" or "La 21 Division"  is a very interesting spiritual aspect of the Dominican Culture, Many of the spiritualist who follow these beliefs have a different perspective on certain parts and traditions of this spiritual culture.

The 21 Divisions are compiled of Archangels, Angels, Saints, and Benefactor Spirits that are guided by the "God".

The Benefactor spirits are the spirits that are mostly channeled through a 21 division "host" or "Caballo de la 21 divicion" as it is referred to in Spanish. These spirits receive instructions from the higher line of spirits that are refered to as Superior Spirits. These superior spirits instruct the benefactors to do the spiritual works in the Earthly Plain. That's why they are broken out by division, for instance: "Division Candelo" or "Candelo Division".

Candelo is a Saint that is Known as "Saint Carlos Boromeo" or "San Carlos Borromeo" and the following benefactor spirits compile his division and report to him:

• Candelo Sedife
• Candelo Ogunpanama
• Candelo Lafrunte
• Candelo Maralla
• Candelo Mucie
• La Candelaria
• Candelo Ogunfegallo.

I have compile this list by division of spirits for your information:

Baron Del Cementerio (San Elias) y Sus Gedeses (Guedeses)
All of the spirits below are benefactor spirits that are instructed and report to San Elias otherwise known as "El Baron De Cementerio" which translates to "The Man of the Cementery or Graveyard".

• Papabaon
• Baonsamdi
• Baonlacwa
• Bansumbi
• Gedeimbo
• Gedelui
• Gedelacwa
• Pringede
• Gedecayfu
• Gedevi
• Gedesito

San Santiago (Oggun Balenyo) is known as the leader of the 21 Divisions.The following spirits make part of the Ogun Balenllo Division - Other wise known as the division of "San Santiago" or "Saint Santiago".

• Ogun Balenllo
• Ogun Balagri
• Ogun Brise
• Ogun Panama
• Ogun Petro
• Ogun Fegai
• Ogun Batala

The host or Caballo receive the spirits, or as it's referred to in Spanish "Montar" which translates to "Ride the Host". Many people pretend to be half in a  trance but there is no such thing, you are either fully impacted by the spirit or you are not. If you were not born to be blessed with the 21 Divisions than you should not say that you receive the spirits of any division.

I wanted to wish you all a good year full of blessings, and a better stronger connection with the spiritual world. I also wanted to leave with you guys some of the most important feast days for lwa-yo (the lwa). Make sure you mark you're calendars and make those servicios good ones!

Ezili Alaila - Nuestra Senora de Altagracia - 21 of Jan.
Candelina - 2 of Feb.
Damballah - 17 of March
Baron del Cementerio - 17 of April / 20 of July
Ghuede N'himbo La Croix / 19 of April
Ogun Feray - 23 of April
Legba - 13 of June
Ezili Dantor - 16 of July and 15 of August
Baron del Cementerio - 20 of July / 17 of April
Ogun Balendjo - 25 of July
Gran Bwa - 25 of July
Anaisa Pye - 26 of July
Filomena Lubana - 29 of July
Santa Clara - 11 of August
Ezili Dantor - 15 of August and 16 of July
Cachita / Virgen de La Caridad - 8 of Sept.
Metrezili - 15 of Sept.
Ofelia Balendjo - 24 of Sept.
Marassa - 26 of Sept.
Belie Belcan - 29 of Sept.
Dia de los muertos (Ghuede Day) - November 2nd
Candelo - 4 of November
Ogun Obatala - 11 of Nov.
Gran Solie - 6 of Diciembre

Espero que les haya gustado mi primer blog. Quiero compartir esto con todos mis amigos de la comunidad �MySanteria� y con todos aquellos que todavia no lo son. Quiero que todo el mundo aprenda lo bonito de la religion, compartir ideas y ademas seguir aprendiendo. Quiero que me dejen su opinion de los blogs.

Espero que les aya gustado! - Que papa bondye me los bendigas a todos y me los colme de muchas bendiciones- Gracias a la misericordia!! Que vivan las 21 Divisiones!

One of the best things about beading is shopping for beads and other things. I was so surprised to find a golden double headed axe in the local market,I bought it straight away and incorporated it in the ide I was making for my son's godmother.I am really happy with the results, what do you think? I have put my latest additions on the slide show on my page

La Bendicion, Although it has been integrated into our faith and is not traditional should it be ignored? It is the godparents responsibility to educate their child in what the proper phrases are and why, then explain the meaning behind la bendicion. I am a Puerto Rican male, one taught to ask for la bendicion of my elders when leaving and entering a home and it has been something i am teaching my kids and WOW it is even said to me now. A simple que dios te bendiga is good enough, but in the religion we are all accustomed to hearing Santo. I've always wondered when this came into place? When did they begin to use this term. See I've seen non latinos in the religion ask for "La Bendicion" but it should be taught that they are asking their elder for a "Spiritual Blessing" and not a Lukumi one seeing as though the proper term should be "Agbe Mi" or something amongst those lines. Is it wrong? I would have to say NO! If we are asking for a spiritual blessing in a spiritual house with a spiritual lineage then it would make sense. My own thoughts! I could be wrong or be disagreed with. As long as the child understands the difference between a spiritual blessing and the Osha one, it comes to the debate of acceptance of the term and just wanting the blessing. There is much more in the religion that may be debated over, then to hover over La Bendicion and el Santo.

-Javier