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1 of 21A pilgrim lays on the ground holding candles during the centuries-old annual pilgrimage to the Iglesia De San Lazaro (Church of Saint Lazarus) on the Day Of Saint Lazarus. Rincon, Cuba. December 17, 2002. Sven Creutzmann/Mambo Photography/Getty Images 2 of 21A Santeria practitioner with Tarot cards and cigar for future readings. Havana, Cuba. April 3, 2013. Education Images/UIG via Getty Images 3 of 21Babalawo using rum to bless a shrine. March 9, 2013. In Pictures Ltd./Corbis via Getty Images 4 of 21Three men participate in the Cajon de Muertos ceremony. January 2, 2011. Wikimedia Commons 5 of 21A Santeria altar in Cuba. March 17, 2015. Wikimedia Commons 6 of 21Animal sacrifice is an integral part of the rituals. Santeros believe that blood is necessary to release the negative energy and spirits of those involved. The participants of a Santeria ceremony are blessed with the animal before it is sacrificed.In Pictures Ltd./Corbis via Getty Images 7 of 21A man is reborn with a different name and for the first year has to wear white. Here, the birthday party of Lazaro Salsita, born 15 years ago in the body of Lazaro Medina Hernandez. Havana, Cuba. January 2, 2011. Wikimedia Commons 8 of 21A couple participate in the Cajon de Muertos ceremony. January 2, 2011. Wikimedia Commons 9 of 21Babalawo (priest) using cowry shells and corn powder to read the fortunes of the people being initiated. March 11, 2013. In Pictures Ltd./Corbis via Getty Images 10 of 21Goat head, chicken, feathers, and blood - remnants of a sacrifice held in the home of a Santeria priest just one day earlier. May 14, 2002. Wikimedia Commons 11 of 21A celebration of a Santeria baptism. January 2, 2011. Wikimedia Commons 12 of 21Each of the clay statues is an “Ellegua.” Adherents of the practice first have to receive Ellegua, the Oricha that is always summoned first, as he is the one who directly communicates to Olodumare: almighty God. March 9, 2013. In Pictures Ltd./Corbis via Getty Images 13 of 21A high priest of the Santeria religion sits in a room used for ceremonies. Arne Hodalic/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images 14 of 21Various religious articles used in Santeria. January 29, 2015. Wikimedia Commons 15 of 21A Santero in Cuba. March 12, 2009. Wikimedia Commons 16 of 21A Santeria temple in Cuba. May 2002. James Emery/Flickr 17 of 21Cups filled with water are often used to serve as a shrine to dead ancestors, and are preferably kept in a quiet part of the home, though not the bedroom. January 25, 2015. Wikimedia Commons 18 of 21A woman shuffles cards on the street in Havana, Cuba. August 2004. Anja Disseldorp/Flickr 19 of 21A temple honoring Yemaya, the powerful Oricha known as the mother of all things. January 25, 2015. Wikimedia Commons 20 of 21An altar inside Templo Yemaya. January 25, 2015. Wikimedia Commons 21 of 21Like this gallery?Share it:
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Santeria: 20 Fascinating Photos That Separate Fact From Fiction View Gallery
Mysterious to many, and misunderstood by most, Santeria is often incorrectly regarded as a form of witchcraft. A closer look, however, reveals a religion with deep roots embedded in west African culture, and one necessary for survival amid colonial rule during the Atlantic slave trade.
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1 of 21A pilgrim lays on the ground holding candles during the centuries-old annual pilgrimage to the Iglesia De San Lazaro (Church of Saint Lazarus) on the Day Of Saint Lazarus. Rincon, Cuba. December 17, 2002. Sven Creutzmann/Mambo Photography/Getty Images 2 of 21A Santeria practitioner with Tarot cards and cigar for future readings. Havana, Cuba. April 3, 2013. Education Images/UIG via Getty Images 3 of 21Babalawo using rum to bless a shrine. March 9, 2013. In Pictures Ltd./Corbis via Getty Images 4 of 21Three men participate in the Cajon de Muertos ceremony. January 2, 2011. Wikimedia Commons 5 of 21A Santeria altar in Cuba. March 17, 2015. Wikimedia Commons 6 of 21Animal sacrifice is an integral part of the rituals. Santeros believe that blood is necessary to release the negative energy and spirits of those involved. The participants of a Santeria ceremony are blessed with the animal before it is sacrificed.In Pictures Ltd./Corbis via Getty Images 7 of 21A man is reborn with a different name and for the first year has to wear white. Here, the birthday party of Lazaro Salsita, born 15 years ago in the body of Lazaro Medina Hernandez. Havana, Cuba. January 2, 2011. Wikimedia Commons 8 of 21A couple participate in the Cajon de Muertos ceremony. January 2, 2011. Wikimedia Commons 9 of 21Babalawo (priest) using cowry shells and corn powder to read the fortunes of the people being initiated. March 11, 2013. In Pictures Ltd./Corbis via Getty Images 10 of 21Goat head, chicken, feathers, and blood - remnants of a sacrifice held in the home of a Santeria priest just one day earlier. May 14, 2002. Wikimedia Commons 11 of 21A celebration of a Santeria baptism. January 2, 2011. Wikimedia Commons 12 of 21Each of the clay statues is an “Ellegua.” Adherents of the practice first have to receive Ellegua, the Oricha that is always summoned first, as he is the one who directly communicates to Olodumare: almighty God. March 9, 2013. In Pictures Ltd./Corbis via Getty Images 13 of 21A high priest of the Santeria religion sits in a room used for ceremonies. Arne Hodalic/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images 14 of 21Various religious articles used in Santeria. January 29, 2015. Wikimedia Commons 15 of 21A Santero in Cuba. March 12, 2009. Wikimedia Commons 16 of 21A Santeria temple in Cuba. May 2002. James Emery/Flickr 17 of 21Cups filled with water are often used to serve as a shrine to dead ancestors, and are preferably kept in a quiet part of the home, though not the bedroom. January 25, 2015. Wikimedia Commons 18 of 21A woman shuffles cards on the street in Havana, Cuba. August 2004. Anja Disseldorp/Flickr 19 of 21A temple honoring Yemaya, the powerful Oricha known as the mother of all things. January 25, 2015. Wikimedia Commons 20 of 21An altar inside Templo Yemaya. January 25, 2015. Wikimedia Commons 21 of 21Like this gallery?Share it:
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1 of 21A pilgrim lays on the ground holding candles during the centuries-old annual pilgrimage to the Iglesia De San Lazaro (Church of Saint Lazarus) on the Day Of Saint Lazarus. Rincon, Cuba. December 17, 2002. Sven Creutzmann/Mambo Photography/Getty Images 2 of 21A Santeria practitioner with Tarot cards and cigar for future readings. Havana, Cuba. April 3, 2013. Education Images/UIG via Getty Images 3 of 21Babalawo using rum to bless a shrine. March 9, 2013. In Pictures Ltd./Corbis via Getty Images 4 of 21Three men participate in the Cajon de Muertos ceremony. January 2, 2011. Wikimedia Commons 5 of 21A Santeria altar in Cuba. March 17, 2015. Wikimedia Commons 6 of 21Animal sacrifice is an integral part of the rituals. Santeros believe that blood is necessary to release the negative energy and spirits of those involved. The participants of a Santeria ceremony are blessed with the animal before it is sacrificed.In Pictures Ltd./Corbis via Getty Images 7 of 21A man is reborn with a different name and for the first year has to wear white. Here, the birthday party of Lazaro Salsita, born 15 years ago in the body of Lazaro Medina Hernandez. Havana, Cuba. January 2, 2011. Wikimedia Commons 8 of 21A couple participate in the Cajon de Muertos ceremony. January 2, 2011. Wikimedia Commons 9 of 21Babalawo (priest) using cowry shells and corn powder to read the fortunes of the people being initiated. March 11, 2013. In Pictures Ltd./Corbis via Getty Images 10 of 21Goat head, chicken, feathers, and blood - remnants of a sacrifice held in the home of a Santeria priest just one day earlier. May 14, 2002. Wikimedia Commons 11 of 21A celebration of a Santeria baptism. January 2, 2011. Wikimedia Commons 12 of 21Each of the clay statues is an “Ellegua.” Adherents of the practice first have to receive Ellegua, the Oricha that is always summoned first, as he is the one who directly communicates to Olodumare: almighty God. March 9, 2013. In Pictures Ltd./Corbis via Getty Images 13 of 21A high priest of the Santeria religion sits in a room used for ceremonies. Arne Hodalic/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images 14 of 21Various religious articles used in Santeria. January 29, 2015. Wikimedia Commons 15 of 21A Santero in Cuba. March 12, 2009. Wikimedia Commons 16 of 21A Santeria temple in Cuba. May 2002. James Emery/Flickr 17 of 21Cups filled with water are often used to serve as a shrine to dead ancestors, and are preferably kept in a quiet part of the home, though not the bedroom. January 25, 2015. Wikimedia Commons 18 of 21A woman shuffles cards on the street in Havana, Cuba. August 2004. Anja Disseldorp/Flickr 19 of 21A temple honoring Yemaya, the powerful Oricha known as the mother of all things. January 25, 2015. Wikimedia Commons 20 of 21An altar inside Templo Yemaya. January 25, 2015. Wikimedia Commons 21 of 21Like this gallery?Share it:
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1 of 21A pilgrim lays on the ground holding candles during the centuries-old annual pilgrimage to the Iglesia De San Lazaro (Church of Saint Lazarus) on the Day Of Saint Lazarus. Rincon, Cuba. December 17, 2002. Sven Creutzmann/Mambo Photography/Getty Images 2 of 21A Santeria practitioner with Tarot cards and cigar for future readings. Havana, Cuba. April 3, 2013. Education Images/UIG via Getty Images 3 of 21Babalawo using rum to bless a shrine. March 9, 2013. In Pictures Ltd./Corbis via Getty Images 4 of 21Three men participate in the Cajon de Muertos ceremony. January 2, 2011. Wikimedia Commons 5 of 21A Santeria altar in Cuba. March 17, 2015. Wikimedia Commons 6 of 21Animal sacrifice is an integral part of the rituals. Santeros believe that blood is necessary to release the negative energy and spirits of those involved. The participants of a Santeria ceremony are blessed with the animal before it is sacrificed.In Pictures Ltd./Corbis via Getty Images 7 of 21A man is reborn with a different name and for the first year has to wear white. Here, the birthday party of Lazaro Salsita, born 15 years ago in the body of Lazaro Medina Hernandez. Havana, Cuba. January 2, 2011. Wikimedia Commons 8 of 21A couple participate in the Cajon de Muertos ceremony. January 2, 2011. Wikimedia Commons 9 of 21Babalawo (priest) using cowry shells and corn powder to read the fortunes of the people being initiated. March 11, 2013. In Pictures Ltd./Corbis via Getty Images 10 of 21Goat head, chicken, feathers, and blood - remnants of a sacrifice held in the home of a Santeria priest just one day earlier. May 14, 2002. Wikimedia Commons 11 of 21A celebration of a Santeria baptism. January 2, 2011. Wikimedia Commons 12 of 21Each of the clay statues is an “Ellegua.” Adherents of the practice first have to receive Ellegua, the Oricha that is always summoned first, as he is the one who directly communicates to Olodumare: almighty God. March 9, 2013. In Pictures Ltd./Corbis via Getty Images 13 of 21A high priest of the Santeria religion sits in a room used for ceremonies. Arne Hodalic/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images 14 of 21Various religious articles used in Santeria. January 29, 2015. Wikimedia Commons 15 of 21A Santero in Cuba. March 12, 2009. Wikimedia Commons 16 of 21A Santeria temple in Cuba. May 2002. James Emery/Flickr 17 of 21Cups filled with water are often used to serve as a shrine to dead ancestors, and are preferably kept in a quiet part of the home, though not the bedroom. January 25, 2015. Wikimedia Commons 18 of 21A woman shuffles cards on the street in Havana, Cuba. August 2004. Anja Disseldorp/Flickr 19 of 21A temple honoring Yemaya, the powerful Oricha known as the mother of all things. January 25, 2015. Wikimedia Commons 20 of 21An altar inside Templo Yemaya. January 25, 2015. Wikimedia Commons 21 of 21Like this gallery?Share it:
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1 of 21A pilgrim lays on the ground holding candles during the centuries-old annual pilgrimage to the Iglesia De San Lazaro (Church of Saint Lazarus) on the Day Of Saint Lazarus. Rincon, Cuba. December 17, 2002. Sven Creutzmann/Mambo Photography/Getty Images
2 of 21A Santeria practitioner with Tarot cards and cigar for future readings. Havana, Cuba. April 3, 2013. Education Images/UIG via Getty Images
3 of 21Babalawo using rum to bless a shrine. March 9, 2013. In Pictures Ltd./Corbis via Getty Images
4 of 21Three men participate in the Cajon de Muertos ceremony. January 2, 2011. Wikimedia Commons
5 of 21A Santeria altar in Cuba. March 17, 2015. Wikimedia Commons
6 of 21Animal sacrifice is an integral part of the rituals. Santeros believe that blood is necessary to release the negative energy and spirits of those involved. The participants of a Santeria ceremony are blessed with the animal before it is sacrificed.In Pictures Ltd./Corbis via Getty Images
7 of 21A man is reborn with a different name and for the first year has to wear white. Here, the birthday party of Lazaro Salsita, born 15 years ago in the body of Lazaro Medina Hernandez. Havana, Cuba. January 2, 2011. Wikimedia Commons
8 of 21A couple participate in the Cajon de Muertos ceremony. January 2, 2011. Wikimedia Commons
9 of 21Babalawo (priest) using cowry shells and corn powder to read the fortunes of the people being initiated. March 11, 2013. In Pictures Ltd./Corbis via Getty Images
10 of 21Goat head, chicken, feathers, and blood - remnants of a sacrifice held in the home of a Santeria priest just one day earlier. May 14, 2002. Wikimedia Commons
11 of 21A celebration of a Santeria baptism. January 2, 2011. Wikimedia Commons
12 of 21Each of the clay statues is an “Ellegua.” Adherents of the practice first have to receive Ellegua, the Oricha that is always summoned first, as he is the one who directly communicates to Olodumare: almighty God. March 9, 2013. In Pictures Ltd./Corbis via Getty Images
13 of 21A high priest of the Santeria religion sits in a room used for ceremonies. Arne Hodalic/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images
14 of 21Various religious articles used in Santeria. January 29, 2015. Wikimedia Commons
15 of 21A Santero in Cuba. March 12, 2009. Wikimedia Commons
16 of 21A Santeria temple in Cuba. May 2002. James Emery/Flickr
17 of 21Cups filled with water are often used to serve as a shrine to dead ancestors, and are preferably kept in a quiet part of the home, though not the bedroom. January 25, 2015. Wikimedia Commons
18 of 21A woman shuffles cards on the street in Havana, Cuba. August 2004. Anja Disseldorp/Flickr
19 of 21A temple honoring Yemaya, the powerful Oricha known as the mother of all things. January 25, 2015. Wikimedia Commons
20 of 21An altar inside Templo Yemaya. January 25, 2015. Wikimedia Commons
21 of 21Like this gallery?Share it:
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Santeria: 20 Fascinating Photos That Separate Fact From Fiction View Gallery
Santeria: 20 Fascinating Photos That Separate Fact From Fiction View Gallery
Santeria: 20 Fascinating Photos That Separate Fact From Fiction View Gallery
Santeria: 20 Fascinating Photos That Separate Fact From Fiction View Gallery
Santeria: 20 Fascinating Photos That Separate Fact From Fiction
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Also known as Regla de Ocha and Lucumí, the practice of Santeria is defined as an Afro-Cuban religion that originated in what is now known as Nigeria and Benin and was brought to the Caribbean via the slave trade.
Many Africans were forced to convert to Catholicism against their will upon arriving in the West, burying age-old traditions and forcing practitioners to maintain their old beliefs only covertly as a means of avoiding religious persecution. This was done by adopting the symbolism of Catholicism, mainly saints, to represent Santeria’s Orichas, which are the intermediaries between God and the people of the living world.
Many Afro-Cuban practitioners of Santeria view their religion and Catholicism as parallel to one another, combining terms and concepts from both, resulting in an example of religious syncretism.
Others consider the very term “Santeria” a simplistic way of viewing what was ultimately an attempt at covert preservation of ancient practices in the wake of forced conversion to Catholicism. As stated by Oba Ernesto Pichardo in a 1998 presentation titled “Santeria in Contemporary Cuba”:
The primary concern of Santeria is to promote harmonious balance within, both in terms of the individual and society as a whole. Practitioners will often consult with an initiated priest or priestess (Santero or Santera) when their inner experiences conflict with their environment and seek help in overcoming such ills as bad health, financial troubles, troublesome relationships, or other matters of negative energy.
A Santeria ceremony is then usually held to address these problems, where the Santero or Santera consults the orichas, and healing is performed with herbs and divination in rituals often involving the use of music, dance, offerings, trance, and animal sacrifice.
Whether believers are practicing these rituals or observing any of the religion’s other rites and customs, today an estimated 75 to 100 million people all over the world practice Santeria.
For more looks at religious practices from around the world, check out the seven most unusual religious rituals and beliefs, and these six interesting religions you may not have heard of.
