Santeria merges as a diversity of different faiths. When the rope was severed, death became a permanent feature of the human condition. De La Torre, a regular columnist for EthicsDaily.com and assistant professor of religion at Hope College in Holland, Mich., is author of a recent book exploring the history, beliefs, rituals and culture of Santeriaa religious tradition that, despite persecution, suppression and its own secretive nature, has close to a million adherents in the United States alone. Preparations are then made for the grand and irrevocable initiation of the devotee into that orishas mysteries. What does Santera believe about the afterlife? Origins of Christmas..lol.reminds me over 20 years ago I gave a small book the origins of Christmas to a devote catholic relative. It drives the individual to evolve by balancing the heart, mind, and body with spirit. Santera altar in Cuba. They are shaped and influenced by other belief systems that they encounter in history. The myth suggests that this group believes that immortality is gone forever and only life and death within this world remain (Ray, 1976). Santera emerges as a thinly veiled reconstruction of Yoruba ancestor veneration as well as the devotion to the Yoruba divinities (orisha ) who are now referred to with names of saints from the Christian repertoire of the memorable dead (hence the name Santera ). Thanks another story tho. While traditionally one's body was considered integral to one's person and was therefore considered important even after death, today Christian funeral songs depict the body as incidental if not detrimental to one's positive destiny after death. Each deity represents an aspect . In order to maintain their religion, Africans living on the island prayed in secret by superimposing their orishas on Catholic saints. African Synod: Instrumentum Laboris. What are the beliefs of Santeria? If you are angry, rather than learn to control your anger and address the problem in a different way, you can just go around punching people in the face. Dressed in a loose white gauze shirt, white pants and white hat, the red-bearded drummer Babaila taps out the same beat he has played for 35 years. 1040 Words. Santera is a syncretic religion based significantly in the traditions of the Yoruba and incorporating elements of Catholicism. Furthermore, the deliberate invocation of ngoma or mizimu and fellowship with them through libations and prayer (Gikuyu, kurongoreria ) is in official Christian teaching outlawed because it is considered a breach of the First Commandment. Thus, for example, among the Swazi, burial of the dead is only done after three days. Santera is an Afro-Cuban or Afro-Caribbean religion created in Cuba by the Yoruba people who were brought to the island as enslaved people. During their ceremonies, both use dancing, singing, and drumming to connect with and worship their deities. This use of the metaphor of a journey is related to the fact that in general, as indicated earlier, Africans view life itself as a journey. Santera teaches the existence of an overarching divinity, known as Olodumare, Olofi, or Olorun. My New Grimoire Goetia Rising is Now Available! Santeria (Way of the Saints) is an Afro-Caribbean religion based on Yoruba beliefs and traditions, with some Roman Catholic elements added. Practicing occultist and writer with a particular interest in summoning magic. A study of indigenous education system of the Chagga from Tanzania. Magesa, Laurenti. The idea is to make positive statements about what you would like to see in your life and to repeat, Read More How to Create Positive Affirmations That ACTUALLY WorkContinue, Fellow occultists, I am happy to announce that my new grimoire, Goetia Rising, is now available on Amazon: This is a small book, as a proper grimoire ought to be. This constitutes the working documents (instrumentum laboris ) for a 1994 synod of Catholic Bishops to rethink the Christian message and mission in the African context. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Santeria, Ancient Origins - A Unique Mixture of Afro-Cuban Religious Rituals or Witchcraft? Beginning in the 19th century, the enslaved Cuban. Like even the Otas - was there even a need for them when people could walk into the ocean or a river and be enveloped by their divinity? We are a nature based religion, of course, and we pay homage to the earth and give thanks to it. Against this background then, and drawing examples from the vast pool of diverse African cultures, this article discusses the topic under several interrelated headings, namely: The African worldview is decidedly theistic. Yes - the "did you leave the Earth a better place" thing? Santeria is not much different from any other religion. Both spirits Orishas and Loas are sometimes identified with Catholic saints. Santeria has the basic features and traditions of an ancient African religion practiced among the Yoruba in Nigeria. The topic of judgement has existed in many ancient cultures. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Santeria (The way of the Saints) is an Afro-Caribbean religion based on Yoruba beliefs and traditions, with some Roman Catholic elements added. Discusses indigenous African religions as ethical systems and links belief in and veneration of ancestors to these systems. From the Cuban Revolution of 1959 to the early 21st century, nearly one million Cubans left the island, bringing Orisha religion to cities throughout the Americas, particularly Miami and New York. This entry presents a brief, general picture of Africa's traditional religious heritage, focusing on the major beliefs because these underlie the, Pan-Africanism is an internationalist philosophy that is based on the idea that Africans and people of African descent share a common bond. The notion that the body is integral to the human person also finds expression in the significance and even sacredness with which the body is treated particularly during funeral rituals in Africa. This anthology of essays discusses and contextualizes the famous 1987 controversial case regarding the burial of SM Otieno, a Kenyan Luo. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). For the Shona of Zimbabwe, the ritual is called Kurova Guva and is performed by every member of the family, who must explicitly through ritual offerings and libations indicate willingness to welcome the deceased as a continuing member of the family despite physical death. De La Torre calls for dialogue between Christianity and Santeria, which share both commonalities and fundamental differences. Although many people think that they are one and the same, Santeria and Voodoo have quite a bit of differences. He corresponds to the Catholic Saint Lazarus. . But someone who cold-bloodedly murders his family isn't going to have the same fate as a person who has gone through life trying to be supportive and helpful to his family. Santeria developed among Afro-Cuban communities while Voodoo developed among Afro-Haitian communities. You can subscribe to the Occultist Newsletter to be informed of the books release via email and to receive other important announcements. A person goes before God before coming from heaven and asks for the life they want. See you on the other side! The ach exists in everything and is too complex to comprehend fully. Each person, according to Vodou, is born under the patronage of a specific lwa and will often exhibit that lwa's . Santeria and Voodoo are not witchcraft but a religious belief that is highly misunderstood . Santera is a religion with Afro-Cuban roots, rising out of the cultural clash between the Yoruba people of West Africa and the . Another concept that doesnt get discussed often enough is that judgement doesnt necessarily occur through Olodumare (at least not that Im aware of). Santeria healthcare is often combined with conventional medicine. For a long time Santeria was a secretive underground religion, but it's becoming increasingly visible in the Americas: Once dismissed as a ghetto religion practiced only by the Caribbean poor and uneducated, Santeria has a growing following among middle-class professionals, including white, black and Asian Americans. My Faith as An African. Being moral exemplars, the ancestors are also considered custodians and enforcers of justice and morality among the living, and because they are considered ontologically closer to God, they function as intermediaries between God and the people. One of the most basic features of Santeria is the orishas. According to the Church of Santeria. The bottom line is that Santeria is not Voodoo, as many people believe, but they share a common history. We hope she's right. While Christianity emphasizes beliefs and preparation for eternal life, he says, Santeria focuses almost entirely on rituals and life in the here-and-now. I would talk to your god parents before, but espiritismo can be a very powerful tool of understanding ESPECIALLY if you were raised in a western culture. Material for use in Santeria rituals can be bought in specialist outlets called botnicas. https://www.learnreligions.com/about-santeria-traditions-2562543 (accessed March 2, 2023). The religion focuses on building relationships between human beings and powerful, but mortal, spirits, called Orishas. If there were absolutely no consequences to bad behavior (stealing, cheating, lying, hurting, killing, etc.) 2021 google commercial; where did charles ingalls move to after walnut grove Wigington, Patti. Santeria, a closed religion, has drawn false advertising that animals are sacrificed while performing rituals. The world without photography will be meaningless to us if there is no light and color, which opens up our minds and expresses passion. He analyzes Yoruba notions of predestiny and how these are connected with the postmortem destiny of the person. Santeria relies on the wisdom of orishas. Death is therefore frustrating because it takes way a loved one and robs people of the companionship and other gifts that such a relationship brings. It is likely that Orisha traditions will continue to grow and be recognized as one of the principal African contributions to world culture. Refer to each styles convention regarding the best way to format page numbers and retrieval dates. There is a Spanish influence in Santeria, whereas in Voodoo religion the French influence is more prominent. Meticulous and proper burial signifies that Africans understand the finality of death as a marker of the end of physical life. The Chagga of Tanzania believe that this journey to the world of ancestors takes nine days. The History of a Year and a Day in Paganism. Our goal isn't to spend eternity sitting on a puffy white cloud in Heaven isolated from the world of the living. Such rituals, usually performed a year after death and burial, are reminiscent of Kurova Guva, Ukubuyisa, or Duogo rituals mentioned earlier. The belief that the dead are not dead is expressed and dramatized through rituals designed to welcome and install the deceased back into the world of the living. Santerias house of worship is known as the. According to Mbiti (1969, p. 158), this continued remembrance of the Living-Dead and their sustained interaction with the living constitutes the individual's "personal immortality." We call it in Spanish "rendir cuentas," which means "explain yourself, tell me why you lived the way you did." Explains that santera is a sensible religion that focuses on helping individuals live more in harmony with themselves and the world around them. Our religion is actually quite forgiving of human weakness and mistakes, as long as people recognize that they made a mistake and tried to rectify it. Mbiti, John. Divination can be done by casting palm nuts, interpreting the fall of shells, or using a divided coconut. Yet it is packed with high-powered rituals that are seeing the light of day for the first time in this century. Voodoo is a word originating from Western Africa, and it means moral fiber. It blends elements of French Catholicism and traditional religions of West Africa. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Thus, petitionary prayer is often said through them. They are consumed by the community afterward. The Yoruba traditional worshiped egun in the home as that is where the deceased were buried. Originating in West Africa among the Yoruba . . To make more trouble? Rites of Passage in Contemporary Africa: Interaction Between Christian and African Traditional Religions. Life is an unfolding, a process of "formation and transformation" that starts before birth and does not end at physical death. Lewiston, N.Y., 1992. Let us see the typical portrait of the, Read More Sign of Aries, Mars and House I: Personality Traits, Relationships..Continue, People are always looking for a way to predict their future using a variety of techniques and tools. Santeria is a religion developed by enslaved peoples throughout the Spanish Caribbean. The basis of the Santeria religion is the nurture of a personal relation with the orishas, and one of the principal forms of devotion is an animal sacrifice. Nairobi, Kenya, 1992. In this regard, we note for example that ancient Egyptians held very clear eschatological ideas featuring notions of heaven and hell and a final judgment. It seems from this myth that the Tutsi understand happiness and immortality to be dependent on how well they maintain the link between themselves and God. Discussing African notions of afterlife necessitates several preliminary and pertinent observations. The tradition also spread to other Latino communities, African Americans, and white Americans. Although census data are lacking, it is likely that initiated devotees number in the tens of thousands and that those who consult an orisha at one time or another may be counted in the millions. Many contemporary practitioners refer to the tradition as the religion of the orishas or the Lukumi religion, after the name by which the Yoruba were known in Cuba. The Orisha may 'seize the head' of a person (or 'mount them' as if they were a horse), and cause that possessed person to perform 'spectacular dances', and to pass on various messages from the Orisha to community members. ." Given this integral relationship between the outer and inner person, then, it would seem that at death it is the person that dies rather than "the soul" leaving the body and flying away, as some Christian popular hymns indicate. Having understood the fundamentals of Santeria and Voodoo, lets examine the main similarities and differences. That vision includes angels, dogs, and an infinite library of books. The orishas serve as messengers between the human world and the divine. It is up to the orishas to determine whether a candidate for priesthood has passed the tests or failed. Kenyatta, Jomo. Those who have fulfilled their corporate duties and obligations as the community defines them are honored as "ancestors," a status analogous to but not identical to that of sainthood in Christianity. Olodumar is our supreme being to whom we may eventually stand in judgement of. We aren't wolves who are conditioned to tear each other apart. The denigration of the body implicit in these songs is quite alien to indigenous understandings of the human person and the person's destiny after death. To become a Santero, or high priest, one must pass a series of tests and requirements prior to initiation. It is an amalgamation between the orthodox Yoruba religion in West Africa and Catholicism. Generically called, African Traditional Religion or ATR, it is more complex than one practice, and not religion. Thus, in the Egyptian Book of the Dead, a text designed to be a guide for the soul as it journeyed on beyond physical death, Osiris determines the destiny of the dead. Religion of the Central Luo. For me it has not only made Ocha but Christianity WAY more easy to understand and honestly comingle instead of being these opposing concepts in my mind that was honestly creating disconnect in ego and egun. The Roman Catholic element in Santeria is most obvious in the way Orishas are associated with Catholic Saints such as: Followers of Santeria are often (nominal) Roman Catholics as well. Notions of Afterlife: Clues from Mortuary and Funerary Rituals The notion that the body is integral to the human person also finds expression in the significance and even sacredness with which the body is treated particularly during funeral rituals in Africa. In the Kongo Malongo/ Palo tradition the Kongo cosmogram depicts the birth of man, potentially reaching his full potential on this physical domain and then passing into the spirit realm where you review what youve done and then continue the cycle again until proper elevation. Wazobia, N.Y., 1994. According to Bolaji Idowu, life in the "good Orun " is but a larger and freer copy of this worldly life, minus earthly pains and tribulations. Merced filed a lawsuit with city officials said he could no longer perform animal sacrifices as part of his religious practice. A number of adherents of Santeria have made the news lately, because the religion does incorporate animal sacrifice typically chickens, but sometimes other animals such as goats. During appropriate rituals the Orishas are able to meet believers at these sacred spaces. Gundani and Ongonga also discuss, respectively, the rituals of Kurova Guva and Duogo, which are rituals of reintegrating the deceased and confirming their status as ancestors or the living dead. in Cuba the Catholic church was tolerant of ethnic traditions and even allowed various African groups to create their own "clubs," which became known as the Cabildos. I.e. Training includes divinatory work, herbalism, and counseling. In the oratures, the fact of dying is often described using the metaphor of a journey. When we return to heaven we have a touch base about our life on earth. Somehow, this state was interrupted, and death entered the world. Among the Gikuyu, as was typical in most indigenous African communities, though one's moral misconduct could provoke divine anger and punishment, such punishment was this-worldly rather than delayed and otherworldly. Santeria, as explained to me, is supposed to be a nature-based religion. Having measured their moral worth against the feather of Maat (symbolizing truth and justice), he sends them "west," to the "abode of the righteous," or to "hell." Thus, as another song reminds the listener, the issue that one should worry about is not death itself, since death is inevitable. While they acknowledge the existence of heaven and its importance in the universe, they prefer to inhabit Ay, the sphere known as earth. The religion emphasizes the here and now rather than the afterlife, and it focuses on natural forces. The Luo of Kenya call this ritual Duogo (Ongonga in Cox, 1998, p. 236), while the Xhosa of South Africa call it Ukubuyisa (Pato, in Oosthuizen and Irving, 1992, p. 134). In fact, one of the reasons why Santeria evolved out of the Yoruba traditions was because the Yoruba people noticed the striking similarity between their Orishas and the Catholic Saints. More clues regarding African notions of afterlife can be gleaned from an examination of African concepts of the person. Practitioners believe that Orichas intercede for them if they make offerings and live in compliance with their wishes. The religion is also known as La Regla de Lucumi or Lucumi or Lukumis Rule. Nairobi, Kenya, 1971. Lets see the typical portrait of the natives, Read More Sign of Taurus, Venus and House II: Personality Traits (Full Guide)Continue. I am glad that my house is lukumi based with all the things having to do with christianity and or catholicism are gone. He describes himself as a former believer, yet tries to correct what he says are common misconceptions that have resulted in centuries of marginalization and oppression that forced the religion to go underground. My clients tend to be ambitious people from all walks of life. Devotees see the Orisha tradition as a world religion and have received public recognition of their spiritual achievements. Apart from vague notions that it somehow involves animal sacrifice and is a syncretistic religion blending Catholic and African beliefs, most Americans know little of anything about Santeria, yet it is probably the most-practiced religion in Cuba and is growing in the United States, De La Torre argues in Santeria: The Beliefs and Rituals of a Growing Religion in America by Eerdmans. These religions ultimate goal is to preserve rituals and cultures to future generations. It would seem also that the emphasis by Africans on a this-worldly and corporate approach to salvation resonates significantly with the prior key affirmations about God and the world in the African worldview. Is Santeria a sin? When after a long time such individuals are no longer remembered by name, they enter a state of what Mbiti calls collective immortality as they blend into the general world of those who have gone before (Mbiti, 1969). The first mention of tarot divination dates back to 1540 when one of the earliest treatises on divination with playing cards, Read More Tarot Vs. Oracle Cards for DivinationContinue, Daily positive affirmations are a great tool for creating the life of your dreams. The Gikuyu refer to such a persons as mwendwo ni iri (the people's beloved). That a person is considered a composite and integral whole is also evident in that often, when people claim to encounter the dead through visions and dreams or when they communicate with them through ritual, they claim to have met or spoken with "so and so," a person identifiable by name, rather than the "ghost" of so and so. The basis of the Santeria religion is the nurture of a personal relation with the orishas, and one of the principal forms of devotion is an animal sacrifice. The U.S. Army and Federal Bureau of Prisons have incorporated orisha ministries into their chaplaincies. Encyclopedias almanacs transcripts and maps. (February 22, 2023). The working document highlights the need for "inculturation" of Christianity, taking into consideration positive aspects of African religions including notions of death, ancestors, and the hereafter. I think you are too hung up on the "judgment" part. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. https://www.encyclopedia.com/environment/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/afterlife-african-concepts, "Afterlife: African Concepts Connected to healing magic,Babalu Aye is sometimes called upon as. But this whole stand in front of God and get judged thing is just so remote from any nature religion I've ever studied. Santera is a syncretic religion from Cuba that incorporates elements of Catholicism with the religion of the Yoruba people from West Africa. The Santera belief system is based on the theory that all life comes from a primal life force known as the ach or growth. When they die, believers are buried in the earth (never cremated) so that they can provide axe to all living things. Facing Mount Kenya. However, thats not the case. If a spirit is going to go back to earth and repeat bad behavior without any effort at self-redemption, what's the point of them going back? Ils are independent but may join up for special occasions. In effect, it may be considered a mainstream American faith along with Christianity, Judaism and Islam.. Most practitioners of Santera consider life on earth to be more desirable than an permanent existence in the afterlife. Through the bodies of their mediums the orishas are believed to interact with the congregation directly and heal and prophesy for those who approach them. These actions inspire Iwa to possess one of their members with a spirit. Each deity represents an aspect of nature, like thunder, and a human characteristic, like power. There may be an elaborate hierarchy based partly on the levels of spiritual development that family members have reached. These myths also indicate that in God's original intentions, the world was orderly, and human beings led a happy life in a state of immortality as long as they were close to God, their creator. Santeria falls in the . The True Story Behind Santeria, Academia - Santeria: An Afro-Cuban religion, Santera - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). Contrary to popular belief, Vodou is a monotheistic religion, since practitioners believe in one all-powerful God who created the universe and everything in it. Illness, they say, is a call from the Orisha, a crisis to a waken one to one's destiny as a servant of the Orisha. What can we do for our departed loved ones? They believe that through this possessed individual, they can communicate directly with a lwa. Such rituals and related "oratures" (myths, stories, and songs) constitute a commentary by humans on their experiences in this world and its beyond and offer significant clues regarding concepts of the afterlife. Hindus do not believe in heaven or hell, their life after death system of belief is that of reincarnation. Priesthood involves training and initiation. Learn Religions, Aug. 28, 2020, learnreligions.com/about-santeria-traditions-2562543. Between 1940 and 1960, the immigrants from Cuba spread Santeria in the United States. One enjoys this status so long as there are people left behind to remember him or her. Although Santeria is a religious path that is not rooted in Indo-European polytheism like many other contemporary Pagan religions, it's still a faith that is practiced by many thousands of people in the United States and other countries today. Animal sacrifice is central to Santeria. Paradoxically, then, the dead are not dead, a paradox that led Mbiti to coin the phrase "the Living-Dead" (1969, p. 81). Derived from African religions brought by . The Yoruba call this inner person ori-inu (Idowu, 1994, p. 170). Many women pray to her for conceiving a child. Conversely, those who fail in their worldly obligations, or those whose actions are subversive to rather than nurturing of life, are quickly forgotten and "excommunicated" after death. Properly known as Lukum in the Yorb language, meaning "friendship," Santeria was the religion practiced by descendants of many Yorb slaves in Cuba, over time . Possession of spirits. The Santeria faith teaches that every individual has a destiny from God, a destiny fulfilled with the aid and energy of the orishas. . Many people are involved with Santeria to a lesser extent, without becoming members of an il. Both religions have beliefs in possession by certain spirits Orishas in Santeria and Loas in Voodoo. Santeria rituals allow human beings to stay in contact with the Orishas - these rituals include dancing, drumming, speaking and eating with the spirits. In general, within the African context, such a rigid dualism between body and soul is not found. Such restless and wondering spirits are said to haunt and afflict the living as they try to gain their attention. We know the difference and we have to be conscious of our actions. Africans also believe in a universe that is in process of formation and transformation, and therefore life means being involved in a process of becoming, together. The Orishas offer their children spiritual experience and heavenly wisdom which is marked by progress in the initiatory hierarchy of the il. Idowu, Bolaji. In chapter 8 he discusses the African notions of personal immortality and the status of the living dead, while in chapter 14 he discusses African ideas of death and the hereafter and offers an exegesis of sample funeral rituals. Santeria evolved when African slaves were stolen from their homelands during the Colonial period and forced to work in Caribbean sugar plantations. This is primarily an account of Yoruba notions of God. A companion book that came out last November, Doing Christian Ethics from the Margins, explores a broad range of ethical issues from the perspective of marginalized peoples. There is no centralized leader within Voodoo. Satan is not recognized, and he is not worshipped in Voodoo and Santeria contrary to the mythical depiction of Santeria and Voodoo as satanic cults for the black people. Oosthuizen, G. C., and Irving Hexham, eds. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/about-santeria-traditions-2562543. In Santeria, the ritual performing ceremonies are known as, In Santeria, there are rites sketched to make peace with the soul of the departed called. Egregores can best be described as spiritual entities that feed off the thoughts and energy of a unified multitude. Though these two different belief systems are seen reflected in Santeria, Santeria is its own religion. Moreover, in the African view, to be is to participate in an ongoing dance of life propelled by God's creative and sustaining power. Eventually stand in front of God and get judged thing is just so remote from any religion! If there were absolutely no consequences to bad behavior ( stealing, cheating,,... Systems are seen reflected in Santeria, Academia - Santeria: an Afro-Cuban or Afro-Caribbean religion significantly! Via email and to receive other important announcements that Orisha traditions will to. More in harmony with themselves and the divine spiritual experience and heavenly which. Does not end at physical death and asks for the grand and irrevocable initiation of the into... Living on the `` did you leave the earth ( never cremated so. The religion of the person shaped and influenced by other belief systems that they communicate. Not Voodoo, lets examine the main similarities and differences with Santeria to a devote Catholic.! 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Santeria to a devote Catholic relative ATR, it may be considered a mainstream American faith along with Christianity or. And incorporating elements of Catholicism entirely on rituals and cultures to future.. Future generations connected to healing magic, Babalu Aye is sometimes called as! Of the living initiation of the human world and the Contemporary Africa: between! Compliance with their wishes, without becoming members of an overarching divinity known. Angels, dogs, and counseling keyboard shortcuts Encyclopedias for elementary and high students... Says, Santeria focuses almost entirely on rituals and cultures to future.! Veneration of ancestors takes nine days many people are involved with Santeria to a lesser extent, becoming! Helping individuals live more in harmony with themselves and the principal African contributions to world culture understood the fundamentals Santeria! Hurting, killing, etc. in compliance with their wishes existed in ancient. Orishas serve as messengers between the orthodox Yoruba religion in West Africa somehow, this state interrupted. Or Witchcraft get judged thing is just so remote from any other religion to tear each other.... Via email and to receive other important announcements: //www.learnreligions.com/about-santeria-traditions-2562543 ( accessed March 2, 2023 ) not! Of their members with a lwa such a rigid dualism between body and is... Each styles convention regarding the burial of SM Otieno, a Kenyan Luo is supposed to be ambitious from. Within the African context, such a persons as mwendwo ni iri ( the people beloved! Actions inspire Iwa to possess one of their spiritual achievements in harmony with themselves and world... Hung up on the `` did you leave the earth ( never )... Santeria evolved when African slaves were stolen from their homelands during the Colonial period and to... Includes divinatory work, herbalism, and counseling being to whom we may eventually stand in front of God spaces. New content and verify and edit content received from contributors and the same Santeria... Requires login ) their members with a particular interest in summoning magic departed loved ones indigenous African as! A candidate for priesthood has passed the tests or failed origins of Christmas to a Catholic. As La Regla de Lucumi or Lukumis Rule the U.S. Army and Federal of! Forced to work in Caribbean sugar plantations ancient origins - a Unique Mixture Afro-Cuban. The life they want rites of Passage in Contemporary Africa: Interaction between Christian and African religions! Orthodox Yoruba religion in West Africa and Catholicism performing rituals press question mark to learn the of... Physical death pass a series of tests and requirements prior to initiation that! Other Latino communities, African traditional religion or ATR, it may be a. Santeria, whereas in Voodoo religion the French influence is more prominent mind, and a in... Where the deceased were buried //www.encyclopedia.com/environment/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/afterlife-african-concepts, `` afterlife: African concepts connected to healing magic, Aye. Of Day for the grand and irrevocable initiation of the saints ) is an unfolding, Kenyan... On a puffy white cloud in heaven isolated from the world around them, is...