(Video by Jonathan Mejia) The offering - in other rituals it might have been a rooster or a duck - is a common practice in Cuba. Macumba sometimes refers to black magic, but that is . The deities known as Orishas provide their devotees above all else with health, wisdom, protection, luck and success, and intercede for the religious in difficult moments on the path of life. The purpose of this current study is to gain a better understanding of how the United States Santeria communities deal with issues of mental health within the Santeria/ Way of the Saints Community. Practices and Celebrations AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images It is estimated that some 20% of Yoruba practice the traditional religion of their ancestors. Tureens, a Santera custom in Cuba. She said understanding the spiritual power of the African religion was something she encourages. This tradition originates among the Yoruba people of West Africa, in the area of present-day . He is related to Sango, either as his father or brother, and was a former Alaafin of Oyo. Santería, (Spanish: "The Way of the Saints") also called La Regla de Ocha (Spanish: "The Order of the Orishas") or La Religión Lucumí (Spanish: "The Order of Lucumí"), the most common name given to a religious tradition of African origin that was developed in Cuba and then spread throughout Latin America and the United States. Candomble, Candomblé, an Afro-Brazilian religion of Yoruba, Fon, and Bantu origin developed primarily in the Northeast by African slaves from Nigeria and their… Santeria, Santería, the Spanish name for a system of religious practices of African origin brought to Cuba in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centurie… African Religions, AFRICAN RELIGIONS ••• This entry presents a . It is a must read for those committed to decolonizing . Anthropologist suggests that the word " Orisha " means religious ceremony See book lists and suggested reading posts google group alt.religion.orisha. world who practice a religion known as Santería, or alternatively (some people mind the previous name), La Regla de Ocha. The Bóveda - the Altar of Espiritismo The central altar and focus of Espiritismo's practice is called the bóveda (BO-vay-dah - accent on the first syllable). Although there is much variation in the details of the rituals and mythology of these deities among these West African peoples, the underlying . Orisha: Babalú Ayé (Babaluaye, Asojano) Saint: Saint Lazarus Colors: White, blue, brown, black Number: 17 Description: Babalú Ayé is one of the most beloved, worshipped and petitioned Orishas in our religion. fiet f the orisha religion in trinidad practices: the congo people sang their own strange sacred litanies over the grave as the sun went down, the twilight lingering, the echo of the drums reverberating in the long valley which seemed to be calling "the old people" to take their "sunnyboy home". Increasing contacts with Africa and across the diaspora have brought changes to the practice and personality of the religion as well. The difference between religion and spirituality is that religion has a rigid set of tenets while spirituality encourages the spiritual elevation and development of the person. Beliefs, doctrines and practices of the Orisha religion in Trinidad, 1958 - 1999 (2000 edition) | Open Library Beliefs, doctrines and practices of the Orish . Santería was brought to Cuba by the people of the . Ifa religion is an indigenous and earth-centered African spiritual practice. we took the manyhambri road in princes town … These messengers are spirits called "Orishas." In Yoruba you must believe and interact with the Orishas to reach God Consciousness. The sect known as Santeria thus gained a victory for its bloody rites. They combined beliefs and practices from their Ifa religion with elements of Roman Catholicism to produce the syncretistic religions of Candomblê, Palo Mayombe . Candomble, Shango, Vodun, Ifa Foundation International and Lucumí are just a few of the various forms of orisha worship that are practiced in the Americas (Clark 2007). This deity aids in the accumulation of riches and prevents financial misfortune. It is a syncretistic religion that combines its belief in the Orishas—the gods of the Orisha worship is a growing religious practice in the United States. Orisha inhabits the initiated priests for a period of time, and they become the vessel that imparts positive advice and knowledge to all that participate and partake in the santeria ritual . structure and practices of the mother religion, Yoruba. As a belief system, it is a powerful presence in the social structure, culture, and, more recently, the political realm of Trinidad. Lucumi is a religion, Espiritismo is the practice of mediumship, dealing with the dead and guardian spirits - based on French spiritism which became popularized in the New World in the early 1900's, particularly in Puerto Rico. Welcome to GotBaba.org - Home of. The exploration and utilization of these various patterns often leads to confusion and conflict The present form and structure of the Orisha religion is the result of both centrifugal forces which are tending to further expand the religious system and centripetal forces which are acting to temper this change. Candomble, Shango, Vodun, Ifa Foundation International and Lucumí are just a few of the various forms of orisha worship that are practiced in the Americas (Clark . The practice of Ifa was born to the Yoruba of West Africa centuries ago. People who seek practitioners like Little are looking for guidance, which comes from rituals that invoke the Orisha, like baths or offerings and sometimes the reading of tarot cards. What is Santeria? Ifa belief holds that anyone who … Within the last 400 years, this healing system has also been . Orisha is an African form practised by the Yoruba tribe in the southwestern region of Nigeria. A Ceiba is a type of tropical tree that grows in Miami. Yet . . Also known as Regla de Ocha (Rule of the Orishas), the religious practice of Santería emerged as slaves from West Africa were traded and shipped to Cuba in the 16th Century. Some say that Yoruba - with its many different versions included - is the world's top 6 most practiced religion. There are many more books available . Marriages are usually arranged by the parents of the couple. Typically, in the Yoruba religion, most issues can be explained by either the work of an Ajogun, or the failure to pay proper respects to an orisha who must then be placated. The Afro-Cuban Orisha religion, sometimes referred to as "Santería," is the product of the encounter between Yoruba Orisha worship and the popular practices of Spanish Catholicism in colonial Cuba. A Ceiba is a type of tropical tree that grows in Miami. It's a part of Santería, a monotheistic religion founded on the small Caribbean island around 100 miles off Florida's coast, which exists as a mainstream option for Cubans who have had the freedom to practice since 1992. Macumba The Brazilian form of Vodun and Santería, or the worship of the ancient African gods through spIrIt possession and Magic. It is estimated that 100 million people in the Americas and Africa practice a form of Orisha worship (Clark 2007). . . Cubans from many different walks of life find inspiration in orisha religion, a spiritual practice with West African roots that is sometimes called Santería. The concept of orisha is similar to those of deities in the traditional religions of the Bini people of Edo State in southern Nigeria, the Ewe people of Benin, Ghana, and . ORISHAS . Enslaved Africans juxtaposed their beliefs and customs with those imposed by the Spanish colonists to give birth to a new interpretation of . Symbolic in the cosmologies of various religions, the tree is a significant part of Orisha worship, the Afro-Cuban religion also known as Santería or Lukumi. The first from the Cuban Lucumi religion and the second from the Trinidad and Tobago Orisha religion. orishas who manifest themselves through possession; divination also reveals the need for specific sacrifices of . They have nine gods with their most popular being named Shango who is the god of thunder, fire, war, and drumming. Within the elements of earth wind water and fire there exist an entire pantheon of African deities known . Slaves grouped together to form secret societies to practice their traditional religious beliefs, targeting people who were often converted to Catholicism under duress. . There is no "macumba" religion; the word is an umbrella term for the two principal forms of African spirit worship in Brazil: Candomblé and Umbanda. Starting in the 16th century, large numbers of Yoruba natives were transported as slaves to the Caribbean and the Americas. The Orisha weren't people who had a sacred text book. The foundation of the religion stands on three legs Orunmila . Many people are fearful of religions such as Santeria and Vodun since they equate the religion with practices of Witchcraft. This religion began between the years 1801-1865 when the Spanish people brought African slaves to Cuba. These slaves had their own religion, but the Spanish colonizers forbid the practice of their religion. . Orisha drums are double-headed bi-tensorial cylinders derived from Yoruba bembe drums (similar to the Cuban Iyesá drums). This is why anyone can work through Espiritismo. . Orishas themselves are spiritual powers associated with royal lineages, forces of nature, and, often, the saints of popular Catholicism. This religion has found its way throughout the world and is now expressed in practices as varied as Candomblé, Lucumí/Santería . Santeria is not Witchcraft. Every person has a Spirit Guardian that protects their spiritual well being and guards their back. The orishas are equated with a variety of Catholic saints. Temple Orisha Ile Ifa is a tax-exempt non-profit organization founded to serve those with an interest in Ifa, Santeria, Lucumi, and other expressions of West African Yoruba religious practices. Through an examination of the complex ways that new domains of belonging are being negotiated and lifeworlds made meaningful, Spiritual Citizenship moves the anthropological scholarship on Orisha religious practices to a new level of engagement with spiritual ontologies of citizenship. The Ceiba is considered an axis mundi, or a point that connects the earth to the heavens, and is associated with specific deities . Orisha Aje is known as one of the primary goddesses of wealth and prosperity in the African traditional religion of Ifa. An Orisha (correct spelling: Òrìṣà) is an entity that possesses the capability of reflecting some of the manifestations of Olodumare. The divinities are called orishas in their Yoruba generic name. An Orisha (also spelled Orisa or Orixa) is a spirit or deity that reflects one of the manifestations of Olodumare (God) in the Yoruba spiritual or religious system. Sessions and. For example, the metal tureens are for Oggún and . Many people are fearful of religions such as Santeria and Vodun since they equate the religion with practices of Witchcraft. Orula the soothsayer and interpreter of the sacred word of Ifá. By Caitlyn Smith. Orisha is not evil! Ceremonies take place inside a home . Houk carefully . Yorubic medicine has its roots in the Ifa Corpus, a religious text revealed by the mystic prophet, Orunmila, over 4,000 years ago in the ancient city of Ile-Ife, now known as Yorubaland. It is an Afro-Caribbean religion that combines animism, pantheism, ancestor worship, and Roman Catholicism. He is the Orisha of small pox, contagious diseases and of healing. Afro-Cuban Religion. Macumba. Afro-Cuban Religion. She is a prominent Orisha that anybody who desires financial abundance, growth, and sustenance should possess. It is understood that the orishas wear many masks in order for people to better understand them. He said the Spiritual Baptist is a fusion of Catholicism and traditional African practices, but both faiths use drums heavily in their worship. legalized the practice as a result. The deity, orisha, whose power is represented by the images of thunder and lightning. The Lucumí religion is practiced throughout the Caribbean, and South America, and North America and its practices vary by the country of origin. Carrying with them the Yoruba traditions (some slaves being priests of the religion), the slaves began to merge Yoruba tradition with Catholic theology, particularly . The majority of religious mythology was influenced by astrology; was it any wonder man sought out guidance from the heavens. Santeros (Santeria priests) do not believe that the orishas and the saints are identical. Orishas of Trinidad (African Spirituality Beliefs and Practices Book 7) - Kindle edition by Joiner Siedlak, Monique. The Yoruba traditional religion believes that all human beings pass through what is known as Ayanmo which translate to destiny or fate. . With there being six male gods and only three female gods, the male worshipers probably have more power when it comes to this religion. [1] Yoruba religious beliefs are part of Itàn (history), the total complex of songs, histories, stories, and other cultural concepts which make up the Yoruba society. Characteristics of the main Saints or Orishas of the Yoruba religion. The religious worship . plants as a healing practice in addition to the faith-based aspects of nontraditional practices, such as Orisha practices (Bragdon &Azevedo, 2013). Some of the Yoruba religion practices are sacrifice, and prayer. In many ways he has become the modern day patron of HIV/AIDS and . orishas who manifest themselves through possession; divination also reveals the need for specific sacrifices of . The Yoruba people are known for their cultural practices that are often times ritualistic in nature. Ceremonies take place inside a home . With the passage of time, tureens they became a traditional element of the practice of the Rule of Osha (Santeria) in Cuba and they specialized first by colors and then by designs to appropriate them to the characteristics, functions and tastes of each Orisha. [1] The Yoruba pantheon was extensive, diverse and was formed by gods and goddess denominated Orishas. All major decisions (and many smaller decisions as well) in Orisha traditions are made through communication with the spirits (such as the Orishas and Egun) through traditional divination methods. Not only does Santeria involve the worship of saints (called Orishas), but it is also a quest for enlightenment and kinship with God. Frances Henry Want to Read 1 2 3 4 5 Check nearby libraries WorldCat Buy this book Better World Books When you buy books using these links the Internet Archive may earn a small commission. Thereafter, King renamed his religion "Orisha-Voodoo" and endeavored to expunge its . Each Orisha rules over a part of nature, with some connected to trees, others rivers or rocks. Its activities include the offering of animals or vegetable life, food and drink and any other "object prescribed through divination" as sacrifice Orishas (singular: orisha) are spirits that play a key role in the Yoruba religion of West Africa and several religions of the African diaspora that derive from it, such as Cuban, Dominican and Puerto Rican Santería and Brazilian Candomblé. The Yoruba religion system comprises of traditional practices and spiritual concepts which has evolved into a robust religious system. pp. Spanish people forced slaves to practice the Catholic . If an individual has consistently bad luck, they must appease their orisha to achieve harmony and balance in their life. Many Orisha have found their way to most of the New World as a result of the Atlantic slave trade and are now expressed in practices as varied as Santería, Candomblé, Trinidad Orisha, Umbanda, and Oyotunji, among others. . As the legendary fourth king of the ancient kingdom of Oyo, Shango's rule was marked by whimsical use of power. The Professor noted that the Orisha religion has become increasingly widespread in Trinidad and Tobago in recent years, to the . Our Spiritual Practices. The tradition was conceptualized by the Yoruba people of Nigeria in West Africa and has been in practice for over eight thousand years, thus considered one of the oldest monotheist practices on the globe. There is little or no actual association between the Kali-Mai sect and the Orisha religion, but worshippers from each group are supportive of or at least sympathetic to the religious practices of the other. It will be clear below how enduring the religion of the Yoruba has been and how the fundamental perspectives of this religion, as well as the Yoruba world view, has been retained in Santería. Symbolic in the cosmologies of various religions, the tree is a significant part of Orisha worship, the Afro-Cuban religion also known as Santería or Lukumi. It is a spiritual practice, discipline and philosophy that speaks in allegory to the human condition. Some, such as Elegba, rule over roads and paths or crossroads. Cubans from many different walks of life find inspiration in orisha religion, a spiritual practice with West African roots that is sometimes called Santería. For reference, I'll briefly walk through the . As a belief system, it is a powerful presence in the social structure, culture, and, more recently, the political realm of Trinidad. Yorubic medicine is indigenous to and widely practiced on the African continent. The most interesting aspect of the Yoruba culture was their mythology and their religious practices. In order for our ancestors to have been able to practice the Yoruba religion, the Orishas were syncretized with Catholic saints. He was. The first real step to practicing an Orisha tradition aside from ancestor work is to receive a traditional reading in that tradition. Houk carefully . In 1959, King traveled with Cuban-American friend Christopher Oliana to the Cuban province of Matanzas, where King was initiated as a priest of the Afro Cuban oricha of wisdom and purity Obatalá and Oliana as a priest of the oricha of the volcano Agallú. Temple Orisha Ile Ifa. The practice is part of the Yoruba people's history. The Orisha faith received official recognition with the legalization of Orisha marriages and a grant of lands for the development of African religious organizations. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. - advocates call for recognition of faith's role in emancipation . Santeria is not Witchcraft. They are also venerated by the Edo of southeastern Nigeria; the Ewe of Ghana, Benin, and Togo; and the Fon of Benin (who refer to them as voduns). Their gods or Orisha were referred to by the Spanish word, Santos, which is why many outsiders called their religion Santeria, meaning The Way of the Saints. The Orishas not only reside in a single natural ecology like the river, Ocean, forests and volcanoes, but they are those natural ecologies, making Ocha-Ifá a nature-based religious practice. The drum that is lowest in pitch is called the bo or kongo.The lead drum is called "center drum," "big drum," or bembe.The smallest drum, highest in pitch, is called umele. world who practice a religion known as Santería, or alternatively (some people mind the previous name), La Regla de Ocha. 88-9 Spirit, Blood and Drums: the Orisha Religion in Trinidad James T. Houk (Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1995) ----- From . The deities are the same across the board and the way rituals are done is about the same too. (Olodumare is also known by various other names including Olorun, Eledumare, Eleda and Olofin-Orun). A religion of spirits and spirit possession, ceremonies and feasts, churches and shrines, sacrifices and sacred objects, Orisha is constantly shifting and unstable, its practice widely varied. Those who follow this path seek guidance from orishas, sacred beings who reign over human endeavors and the forces of nature.