To Santeria and back

To Santeria And Back

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The Yoruba rites associate Catholic saints to African deities, the orishas, another example of how socialist Cuba is an island of mixed religions. The religious syncretism date's back the Cuba's colonial origins. After the Spanish colonists meticulously slaughtered tens of thousands of Cuban natives in the 16th century, they needed workers, and had to turn to the "sons of ebony" — African slaves.

So the slaves held on to their religion, but they practiced it in secret, associating their own deities to Catholic saints. They both protect sailors. He prays to Chango like his ancestors did, looking at the statues of the Catholic Saint Barbara. This fool's game has been going on for centuries.

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The rule of Ochoa has always had a penchant for secrecy, probably out of fear that the gods of the regime might descend upon them. The Cubans accommodate themselves very well to the mix of genres between Catholic and Afro-Cuban religions, and they take what's best in each of them. Most Cubans practice Afro-Cuban cults — more or less loosely — even if they publicly deny it.

Marisbel, who works as a model in hotels for tourists, is one such example. Before pouring herself a small glass of rum, she scatters a few drops of the precious liquid at the corner of an old worm-eaten door. New insiders must be dressed entirely in white for a year. The worshippers have no churches, and though believers sometimes pray in Catholic churches to their own saints, the ceremonies also take place inside the homes of the babalawos, who have determined, for each believer, the orisha that will lead their lives.

The worshippers regularly go and see their counselors padrinos , who intervene for advice and healings, in exchange for hard cash. Unlike other cults, the rule of Ochoa has no political goals. And yet, it has unknowingly served the political ambitions of the regime. By tolerating and supporting it in the s and s, the Castro government is said to have weakened Catholicism. But it is not immune to criticism from Cubans. Santeria rites include bird sacrifices — Photo: Santeros always arouse a little jealousy from those who don't follow the cult.

In Havana, shops that sell religious goods are thriving. They sell amulets, plaster statues of saints, ointments, necklaces, and clothes. In Cuba, you can find all the religions you'd find in other countries, from Protestants to Jehovah's Witnesses. Though the number of Muslim , Jewish and Orthodox worshippers barely reaches a few thousand, evangelical temples flourish across the country. At any rate, they're no doubt outnumbered by Santeros.

After decades of state atheism prior to the 4th Congress of the Cuban Communist Party in , when CCP members were able to declare their faith, there are just priests left for 11 million Cubans. Relations between the Socialist regime and religions have long been tense, although according to the Cuban Constitution, "the State recognizes, respects and guarantees religious freedom.

But culturally it was always disconnected somehow. Of the priests the island had in , only were Cuban. Divination with 16 cowrie shells These are the two major and highly sophisticated forms of Divination within the Santeria religion. Within a reading there is a possibility of different signs that could come up.

To Santeria And Back | Souq - UAE

Each sign has various parables and stories attached to it. A reading will let the Client know where they are in their lives. A reading refers to the past, present and future. They will be advised on how to balance their lives; which path they should take regarding personal relationships, work and social and spiritual activity and practical recommendations on how to achieve their goals.

Whether the client asking for the reading takes upon the advice and does the work given is another matter. At the end, it is a question of free will and the client has the choice as to whether or not to follow the advice of the reading. There is also the system of Obi. This is the throwing of five pieces of Coconut.

This is a simpler form of divination, which is used by Santeros when they wish to communicate with their Orisha. The Period of initiation takes a year and a week The initial period of seven days in which various ceremonies are carried out, is followed by a year of a very very strict code of conduct, which includes, the wearing of white and special sacred beads and bangles. It requires the new initiate to refrain from contact with non-initiates.

They are not allowed to drink alcohol, to wear make up, to shave or to eat with everyone at the table. They are not allowed out after dark, not permitted to go to crowded places, not permitted to shake hands with anyone or hug non-initiates. They are not allowed to take any objects directly from anyone or to walk barefooted. They are prohibited from having their photo taken, prohibited from partying and have to drink and eat only from a special bowl and spoon and cup that they must carry around with them at all times.

They are supposed to keep themselves very pure and to spend time understanding and studying the advise from the Orisha.

They must keep their heads covered at all times. Basically this year is the beginning of their new journey and they are reborn. After the year is up.

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Priests still continue to follow certain taboos and restrictions that are for life. Every individual Santero has different taboos relating to them as an individual. There are two concepts that are vital to the core beliefs of Santeria. It means very simply life force. It is energy; breath, life force and we cannot exist without it.

Ashe gives us the power to create and the wisdom to see things through. Living with good grace is what gives us a purpose in life.

As spiritual beings we are responsible for living the best life that we have been blessed with. Our life's work should be to evolve and to analyse our faults and improve upon them. It is important to strive to be a better person, a person with good character. By doing this one can change the energy flow around us. Santeria is not witchcraft Many people are fearful of religions such as Santeria and Vodun since they equate the religion with practices of Witchcraft. Santeria is not Witchcraft.

It is not the study of spells or using spells to harm or affect anyone else. Anyone who thinks that Santeria can be used to keep a girlfriend, harm an enemy or win the lottery has not understood the principals of Santeria and is misguided. Santeria is about living the life that has been assigned to you the best way you possibly can. Followers of Santeria may use various tools to protect themselves such as spiritual baths or the wearing of sacred Necklaces. They may use various herbs to cleanse or protect, or they may make offerings to their ancestors or to Orisha. That does not equate with Witchcraft.

Much has been made about Animal Sacrifice in the Santeria religion. Offerings to an Orisha may include a glass of water, flowers, a candle, fruit or prepared items of food. More often than not a reading will recommend behavior modification or suggestions for improving ones behavior. It is rare that an animal would be marked for Sacrifice. However it is a part of the practice of Santeria.

There is nothing cruel about the sacrifices and more likely than not the animal is eaten and not thrown away. The animal is slaughtered in the same way that animals are slaughtered in Jewish and Moslem practice for Halal or Kosher meat. Prayers accompany the sacrifice and more often than not, those attending the ceremony eat the animal. A Santeros house is their temple In general Santeros do not have a Church or a place of workshop as such.

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