It emerged in Cuba during the 17th century, and has been embedded in Cuban society ever since.
And because Santería lacks scriptures, the whole faith is passed down orally. Every follower is assigned to an orisha who will guide him or her throughout life.
A person can also receive addimú orishas after their kariocha – especially if their life reading (itá) indicated the need for reception of particular orishas as ebó. [8] Each initiation varies in its details,[9] although practitioners often try to ensure a veil of secrecy around the process, ensuring that the precise details are not discovered by non-initiates. [65] It is only once this is done that they are allowed to lead many rituals and to be involved in the initiation of new converts. The Warror Orishas: (left to right) Osun, Elegguá, Ogun and Ochosi (inside of Ogun). Think of initiation in Santeria as a prescription that should only be undertaken by those who have a need for it to heal their lives. There must be an established relationship before we’ll offer initiation to anyone. [16] Next comes the ceremonia del río (ceremony of the initiate), which involves the oyubona and the initiate. Olokun can be given by any olorisha who already has Olokun’s mysteries. In Santeria, music and dance are used as forms of prayer to induce a trance state in an initiated priest, who is said to become "possessed" with Orisha, channeling them to the community and performing healing. [37], As well as the necklaces, the initiate will also receive their own sacred stones. Ambar: Because of health reasons, because of illness or out of faith, because of beliefs that have reached you through family tradition. His colors are green and yellow and he is identified with St. Francis of Assisi. eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'newworldencyclopedia_org-medrectangle-4','ezslot_2',162,'0','0'])); The followers of Santeria believe in a creator God who is called Olodumare. To this day, the city is an important site for Santería followers. Strolling through the streets of Cuba, you’ll occasionally come across people wearing all white clothing—chances are these people are going through their Santería initiation. Santería is popular throughout all of Cuba, but the cities of Santiago, Matanzas, and Havana have the largest number of followers. Typical addimú orishas include Obatala, Inle, Ideú, Oyá, Obba and others. LA: Many a times it is, but not everyone thinks or feels the same way. [35] The wearing of beaded jewellery is seen as keeping the protective power of the oricha close to the practitioner's body.
The Initiation is called Rayamiento or being "Scratched" and it is extremely secret, extremely serious and sacred it is an amazing and beautiful experience which takes Courage, Honor, ... or High Priest of Ifa tradition or Lucumi religion also called “Santeria”. Those who practice Santeria continue to revere Olodumare and include him in their prayers and sacrifices, but only out of respect and not in hopes of petitioning him, as he is uninterested in the affairs of humanity. As such, ceremonies and rituals are usually performed at home or in public. He is also identified with his major implement, the machete, and in legend it is said that with his machete he cleared pathways through the primordial jungles that grew after creation.
[22] Also taking place here is the lavatorio ("washing");[23] the santero/santera overseeing the procedure washes the initiate in omiero, a type of sacred water that has been infused with various herbs. These people have undergone some ceremonies, such as the reception of the warriors or the beaded necklaces called "elekes,"but they're not yet fully initiated. Historically, many casas maintained that only women should be involved in making the elekes, although this is not universally observed. The relationship with the Santeros is also beneficial to the orishas—they only continue to exist if humans worship them. His colors are red and white and he is identified with the Catholic saint Barbara, whose murderer was struck by lightening. Knowing that Olodumare was terrified of mice, they plotted to lock him in a building filled with vermin. Followers are required to stay inside at night for an entire year and only dress in white. Osun has no cowries.) Yemayá rules the ocean and is the goddess of motherhood.
For example, often in life after experiencing various hardships without an identifiable cause, initiation may be called for in order to reveal to us the taboos or life contracts that we made with spirit prior to birth on this Earth. A charge is usually levied for initiation; this varies depending on the status of the practitioner and the wealth of the client but is typically seen as expensive. In order for the new orishas that are being birthed for the initiate to exist, they must consume the blood of sacrificed animals. Elekes (also knowns as Collares or Necklaces): The first initiation most people experience in Santeria is the reception of the elekes. Once a person has received the first few initiations (elekes and warriors) they are privy to more information and start learning about the orishas. His Catholic avatar is Santa Barbara. An Oloricha is a fully initiated Priest or Priestess, commonly known as a Santero or Santera. The Yorùbá people originated from Western Africa in the area known today as Nigeria. On a social level you are exposed to the stories and shared lore of others around you. Initiation requires a fee, but this is given to the Orisha and used for the expenses incurred in initiations. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'newworldencyclopedia_org-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_3',167,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'newworldencyclopedia_org-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_4',167,'0','1']));eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'newworldencyclopedia_org-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_5',167,'0','2'])); The most common oracle procedure in Santeria is the casting of coconuts. [28], The new initiate is given beaded necklaces, known as elekes,[29] ilekes,[28] or collares. [60] A drumming ceremony takes place, after which the assembled individuals feast on meat from animals killed the day before;[60] it is believed this food is full of aché. Santeria is a fusion of Catholic practices and African folk beliefs. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'newworldencyclopedia_org-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_6',169,'0','0'])); The final and most secret ritual is called the Asiento, a term which refers to the possession of the initiate by an Orisha. There is no central scripture for Santeria, as the there is no organizing or presiding institution to regulate such matters. [46], A matanza animal sacrifice usually follows, designed to feed all of the major oricha. Anyone willing to learn from a Santeria divination is welcome to do so—there are no distinctions based on religious affiliation. Ibeji (the twins): Occasionally people will need to receive the Ibeji – the divine twin orishas. There are small side streets in Santiago that are lined with stands selling items used in ceremonies, including feathers, candles, bones, stones, herbs, and live animals. Elegguá, eavesdropping as he often did, became aware of this conspiracy and decided to act against it. Incidentally, morality is seen as quite complex. Over time, one begins to see evidence, proof, things one believes in, and that leads you to become initiated. [27] This cleansing of the head is known as the rogación de cabeza. The initiate will receive a life reading called an “itá” that contains all of the messages of their orishas guiding them to make the most of this new destiny.