By: Greg Valerius & Bobby Moran

SANTERIA

Santeria has no specific founderSanteria has it’s roots in the slave trade

Africans from YorubaCombination of cultures

Yoruba traditionsCombined with Catholicism

“Santeria”The Catholic “Santos”Yoruban deities called, Orishas

Referred to as: “The Religion of the Orishas””

How Santeria began

Symbols of SanteriaMany symbols are used in Santeria Symbols include trees they hold sacred

Ceiba TreeRoyal Palm Tree

If they are not respectful to trees the treewill become offended

They must ask for permission beforecrossing the tree’s shadow.

For most of Santeria’s history it has had no known scriptureThe tradition of Santeria was kept as oral

tradition Santeria does have a book called the Corpus

of IfaIt teaches about human life and the godsOnly portions of the Ifa have been translated to

English

Sacred Scripture

Most involve dancing, drumming, speaking and eating with the gods

Most important Santeria ritual is bembeOrisha is invited to join the community in

danceOthers involve interpretations of messages

from the Orishas to the members of the community

Primary Rituals

Very controversialPoultry (usually a chicken) is SacrificedThe Santeros believe that the Orishas talk to

the the supreme god Olorun on their behalfThey give the Orishas gifts candy, fruit,

candlesIn extreme circumstances an animal is called

forThe animal can be cared for as the Orishas

emissaryIf the animal’s blood is needed; it is eaten or

buried

Sacrafices "Ebo"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taPagD_0h1o

Examples of a Santerian ritual

1993People believed this was not allowed under 1st

amendmentThe Santeros took the plea that it was their

right of religionThe court decided that the animals were not

being maltreated and they were buried or eaten

The law against animal sacrifice was not passed because it would directly target Santeros

Church of the Lukumi Babalu Aye v. City of Hialeah

No concept of good and evilWhat is morally imperative for one person, may not be for another person

Important to maintain harmony between the physical and spiritual realms

Consequences of actionsWe bring everything onto ourselves

Kindness to the earth and Orishas resultsin your own spiritual reward

Moral & Ethical beliefs

Community worships for a specific purposeNormally on the days of the Orisha

Individual worship is up to person, must be in community setting

Over 15 OrishasDays of worship varyCertain special daysOthers are weekly eventsCeremony for priest

Times of worship

No well known churches or specific “cathedral”

Worship is in the home at shrinesOften the altar is in the living room

Worship is central to SanteriaPrayer is common mainly at servicesOrishas give virtues in worship

WisdomKnowledge Patience

Sacred places of worship