Santeria

Santería, also known as Regla de Ocha or Lukumi, is an Afro-Cuban religion that developed among Yoruba-speaking enslaved people in Cuba and their descendants. It blends Yoruba spiritual concepts with elements of Roman Catholicism, resulting in a syncretic tradition that identifies Catholic saints with specific Orishas, the deities that mediate between humans and the divine.

Central beliefs center on Olodumare, the supreme creator, and a pantheon of Orishas who govern different aspects of life and nature. Each Orisha has particular attributes, colors, and offerings, and individuals may have favored Orishas who guide personal paths. Important Orishas include Elegua (paths and beginnings), Obatala (wisdom and justice), Shango (thunder and power), Yemayá (the sea and motherhood), Oshun (love and rivers), Ogun (iron and war), Oya (change and wind), and Orunmila (Ifá wisdom). Orishas are believed to manifest through possession and communication during ceremonies, which enable guidance, healing, and protection.

Ritual practice involves divination, often performed by a babalawo (Ifá priest) or other trained diviners, as well as drumming, dancing, and offerings of food, perfume, candles, or animal matter to the Orishas. Initiation rites and the training of priests and priestesses, known as santeros or santeras, structure the religious community. Music, especially batá drums, and ceremonial songs play a central role in many ceremonies.

Today, Santería is practiced in Cuba and across Afro-Cuban communities in the United States, the Caribbean, and other regions. Communities are typically organized around casas de santo led by senior clergy, with emphasis on lineage, ritual responsibility, and ethical conduct. The tradition remains diverse, with variations in practice and emphasis across communities.