santeria beliefs afterlife

santeria beliefs afterlife

Hector Avalos, Introduction to the U.S. Latina and Latino Religious Experience, 2004, Eugenio Matibag, If and Interpretation: An Afro-Caribbean Literary Practice, in Sacred Possessions: Vodou, Santera, Obeah and the Caribbean (ed. . Santera emerges as a thinly veiled reconstruction of Yoruba ancestor veneration as well as the devotion to the Yoruba divinities (orisha ) who are now referred to with names of saints from the Christian repertoire of the memorable dead (hence the name Santera ). God (named differently by various ethnic groups) is the creative force behind the origins of the universe and human beings within it, a belief that appears in many African cosmogonic myths. The traditional rituals of reinstating the dead into the world of the living, for example, seem to reappear camouflaged in the quite prevalent Christian rituals of "unveiling the tombstone" or "unveiling the cross." New York, 1976. Each deity represents an aspect of nature, like thunder, and a human characteristic, like power." Santeria combines influences of Caribbean tradition, West Africa's Yoruba spirituality, and elements of Catholicism. The world without photography will be meaningless to us if there is no light and color, which opens up our minds and expresses passion. Santera, (Spanish: The Way of the Saints) also called La Regla de Ocha (Spanish: The Order of the Orishas) or La Religin Lucum (Spanish: The Order of Lucum), 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. The contact between African religion and Catholicism in Cuba yielded a synthesis known as Santeria there was a strong symbiosis between the Catholic sacramental system and that of traditional African religion. The notion that the body is integral to the human person also finds expression in the significance and even sacredness with which the body is treated particularly during funeral rituals in Africa. Generically called, African Traditional Religion or ATR, it is more complex than one practice, and not religion. Nairobi, Kenya, 1989. Many contemporary practitioners refer to the tradition as the religion of the orishas or the Lukumi religion, after the name by which the Yoruba were known in Cuba. There are many reasons why they are drawn to Santeria. Regardless of your primary motivations, you can now hire me for a consultation and to do the difficult part of the equation for you, while you reap the rewards. Santera is a syncretic religion from Cuba that incorporates elements of Catholicism with the religion of the Yoruba people from West Africa. You can subscribe to the Occultist Newsletter to be informed of the books release via email and to receive other important announcements. Encyclopedias almanacs transcripts and maps. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). This Christianity was articulated in terms of Western culture, and its introduction coincided with the colonization of Africa. It marks the end of his physical life in the religious community that he's been part of, and it's important to make sure his Orichas are cared for in the proper way, to bring an end to his relationship with them on earth. It is well developed in Spanish-speaking people and colonies. Thus, while Africans continue to see death as a "saying yes" to God's summons, this summons is a prelude to God's judgment, which determines one's final postmortem destiny in heaven or hell. The slaves permeated these beliefs into Christianity to avoid being persecuted, since their traditional religious expression was forbidden. You are reviewing your own life and being honest with yourself about how you lived, what you did right or wrong, and what you learned. The AU is the su, After the Tsunami, A Drive to Reverse Tubal Ligations in Tamil Nadu, Afterlife: Australian Indigenous Concepts, https://www.encyclopedia.com/environment/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/afterlife-african-concepts, Afro-theism, Cosmogonies, and African Notions of Afterlife, Concepts of the Human Person and Implications for, Notions of Afterlife: Clues from Mortuary and Funerary Rituals, The Living-Dead: Corporate Identity and the Destiny of the Individual, The Living and the Dead: The Status and Role of Ancestors, Change, Continuity, and Contestation: The Impact of Christianity and Other Religions. Close suggestions Search Search Search Search In general, within the African context, such a rigid dualism between body and soul is not found. He describes himself as a former believer, yet tries to correct what he says are common misconceptions that have resulted in centuries of marginalization and oppression that forced the religion to go underground. Explains that santera is a sensible religion that focuses on helping individuals live more in harmony with themselves and the world around them. Being moral exemplars, the ancestors are also considered custodians and enforcers of justice and morality among the living, and because they are considered ontologically closer to God, they function as intermediaries between God and the people. Rather, it depends on how well one conducted oneself in this life as a member of the corporate group. There is no strict orthodoxy on this issue and thus interpretations differ. The basis of the Santeria religion is the nurture of a personal relation with the orishas, and one of the principal forms of devotion is an animal sacrifice. What does Santeria believe about the afterlife? Our religion is actually quite forgiving of human weakness and mistakes, as long as people recognize that they made a mistake and tried to rectify it. They are accompanied by their Guardian Orisha. I've heard that we must account got our actions after death. Instead of conceiving the person as a soul that is contained in a body, Africans define the person as an integral whole constituting the "outer person" (the body) and the "inner self." While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Most practitioners of Santera consider life on earth to be more desirable than an permanent existence in the afterlife. Having understood the fundamentals of Santeria and Voodoo, lets examine the main similarities and differences. Santeria rituals allow human beings to stay in contact with the Orishas - these rituals include dancing, drumming, speaking and eating with the spirits. It seems from this myth that the Tutsi understand happiness and immortality to be dependent on how well they maintain the link between themselves and God. My Faith as An African. Author of. People have to be held accountable for their actions, and this is how we envision it. Santera was born out of necessity for the people of the Yoruba tradition who were brought to Cuba as slaves starting in the 16th century from present-day Nigeria and Benin. The Scientology Religion does not believe in the view of Heaven or Hell, and L. Ron Hubbard explains that people's immortal spirits have lived before and will live again, therefore individuals have a responsibility on what happens today since they will experience it tomorrow. African Religions: Symbol, Ritual and Community. According to the Church of Santeria. Empirical Studies of African Independent/Indigenous Churches. Ray discusses inter alia myths of "paradise lost" and the loss of "immortality.". Ancestors are therefore to be dreaded and rejected as part of the demonic forces in the "netherworld" that Jesus "dismantled" through his death and resurrection. To put it simply, Santera is a religion for and by women. Followers believe that these spirits will give them help in life, if they carry out the appropriate rituals, and enable them to achieve the destiny that God planned for them before they were born. AFRICAN RELIGIONS Refer to each styles convention regarding the best way to format page numbers and retrieval dates. . Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Santeria Religion. Both spirits Orishas and Loas are sometimes identified with Catholic saints. The idea is to make positive statements about what you would like to see in your life and to repeat, Read More How to Create Positive Affirmations That ACTUALLY WorkContinue, Fellow occultists, I am happy to announce that my new grimoire, Goetia Rising, is now available on Amazon: This is a small book, as a proper grimoire ought to be. Like even the Otas - was there even a need for them when people could walk into the ocean or a river and be enveloped by their divinity? The religion is also known as La Regla Lucumi and. . Santeria (The way of the Saints) is an Afro-Caribbean religion based on Yoruba beliefs and traditions, with some Roman Catholic elements added. Encyclopedia.com. Each Orisha is an aspect of one supreme god. De La Torre, a regular columnist for EthicsDaily.com and assistant professor of religion at Hope College in Holland, Mich., is author of a recent book exploring the history, beliefs, rituals and culture of Santeriaa religious tradition that, despite persecution, suppression and its own secretive nature, has close to a million adherents in the United States alone. African belief systems have been most palpably influenced and shaped by the encounter with nineteenth-century missionary Christianity. Divination can be done by casting palm nuts, interpreting the fall of shells, or using a divided coconut. In effect, it may be considered a mainstream American faith along with Christianity, Judaism and Islam.. First, Africa is characterized by a tremendous ethnic and cultural diversity. They believe that through this possessed individual, they can communicate directly with a lwa. Training includes divinatory work, herbalism, and counseling. 1040 Words. Each deity represents an aspect . They immediately recognized parallels between their pantheon of a high god and a number of intermediaries called orishas and the Catholic system of saints. For Ela, such a reclamation is not only doctrinally valid and acceptable but would serve as one possible antidote to "this worldly" problems that thrive on radical individualism (Ela, 1990, pp. Discord: https://discord.gg/Tg3Cbwft, Press J to jump to the feed. Syncretism is the combining of different, often seemingly . Ive been conducting rituals for clients for many years. Santeria is based on Yoruba beliefs, while Voodoo is based on Fon and Ewe beliefs. It is popularly known as Lucumi in Cuba where traditions are maintained by Lucumi priests and priestesses who were slaves during the end of the 18th and early 19th centuries. It is likely that Orisha traditions will continue to grow and be recognized as one of the principal African contributions to world culture. When Yoruba were taken to the Caribbean islands as slaves between the 1770's . Our bodies return to the earth when we die. The book, by Chalice Press, also distinguishes the differences and similarities between the U.S. theologies and their Latin American counterparts. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Santeria, Ancient Origins - A Unique Mixture of Afro-Cuban Religious Rituals or Witchcraft? . Santera is an Afro-Cuban or Afro-Caribbean religion created in Cuba by the Yoruba people who were brought to the island as enslaved people. It would seem also that the emphasis by Africans on a this-worldly and corporate approach to salvation resonates significantly with the prior key affirmations about God and the world in the African worldview. Santeria merges as a diversity of different faiths. Rituals are also performed to prepare and equip the deceased for the journey ahead and also to "inform" those on the other side that the deceased is on the way and they should expect him or her. B. Ojwang, eds. Cite this article Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. Yes - the "did you leave the Earth a better place" thing? https://www.learnreligions.com/about-santeria-traditions-2562543 (accessed March 2, 2023). The Luo of Kenya call this ritual Duogo (Ongonga in Cox, 1998, p. 236), while the Xhosa of South Africa call it Ukubuyisa (Pato, in Oosthuizen and Irving, 1992, p. 134). Nairobi, Kenya, 1971. I don't think this is limited to Christianity. In Voodoo, Iwa is a veneration of deities frequently identified as Yoruba gods and Roman Catholic saints. During crucial moments of this life journey, special rituals (rites of passage) designed to mark, celebrate, and help the individual successfully negotiate the key turning points, including death, are performed. An Orisha is a manifestation of Olodumare (God). De La Torre also edited Handbook of U.S. Theologies of Liberation, examining Christian concepts and the interrelationship between religion, community and culture from the perspective of U.S. marginalized communities. Santeria and Voodoo are not witchcraft but a religious belief that is highly misunderstood . It was about "ancient" origins of all the Christmas traditions. Tree, yule log, 12 days etcAfter reading it she looked at me like a demon for a bit..lol. . While Christianity emphasizes beliefs and preparation for eternal life, he says, Santeria focuses almost entirely on rituals and life in the here-and-now. Lets start with an elucidation of Santeria and then Voodoo before jumping into the list of similarities and differences, or feel free to skip ahead. Voodoo can also be spelled as Vodou or Vodun. In fact, one of the reasons why Santeria evolved out of the Yoruba traditions was because the Yoruba people noticed the striking similarity between their Orishas and the Catholic Saints. Like many religions, Santeria also offers . Santeria is a religion developed by enslaved peoples throughout the Spanish Caribbean. Bob Allen is managing editor of EthicsDaily.com. Santeria is, in fact, not one set of beliefs, but a "syncretic" religion, which means it blends aspects of a variety of different faiths and cultures, despite the fact that some of these beliefs might be contradictory to one another. Copyright 2023, Good Faith Media | Site by, Baptist Pastor Recognized for Lifetime Contributions to Cuba, COVID-19, Inflation, Inept Govt Plague Cuban People, Religious Minorities Plight Too Often Overlooked, Handbook of U.S. Theologies of Liberation, Santeria: The Beliefs and Rituals of a Growing Religion in America. The promise of happiness brought by proximity to God was severed and remains only a vague future possibility. A study of indigenous education system of the Chagga from Tanzania. My New Grimoire Goetia Rising is Now Available! Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. If there were absolutely no consequences to bad behavior (stealing, cheating, lying, hurting, killing, etc.) Ancestorhood is therefore a status of honor reserved for the exemplary dead. In Voodoo, Oungan is consulted but he may often send his clients to medical professionals. The tradition also spread to other Latino communities, African Americans, and white Americans. These offerings may range from simple presentations before home altars to elaborate feasts in the orishas honour. Santeria is a fairly complex system, because it blends the Yoruba orishas, or . Whereas in indigenous African thought ancestors were moral exemplars, enjoying a status of honor to which the living could aspire, today, ancestors are in Christian discourse depicted as evil forces of the same character with the devil. A bull is also killed specifically for the deceased's grandfather to alert him so that he can await the deceased (Mbiti, 1969, p. 155). but only faith in Almighty God can bring them a happy afterlife. To become a Santero, one must pass a series of tests and requirements prior to initiation. Sign of Taurus, Venus and House II: Personality Traits (Full Guide). Beliefs Santeria does not have one set of beliefs, it combines of a variety of different faiths and cultures In Santeria life on Earth is considered more desirable that the afterlife Santeria worship a number of worldly gods known as orishas Many of the Santeria beliefs is not disclosed outside of the faith In Cuba by the Yoruba people who were brought to the Occultist santeria beliefs afterlife... Simple presentations before home altars to elaborate feasts in the afterlife citation rules! On how well one conducted oneself in this life as a member of principal... Sometimes identified with Catholic saints was articulated in terms of Western culture, copy... It is likely that Orisha traditions will continue to grow and be recognized as one of principal! We envision it loss of `` paradise lost '' and the loss of `` paradise lost and. Different, often seemingly receive other important announcements is more complex than one practice, and white Americans tradition... Colonization of Africa study of indigenous education system of saints missionary Christianity Latin American counterparts status of reserved..., santera is an aspect of one supreme God and similarities between U.S.. In harmony with themselves and the world around them similarities and differences a series tests! For clients for many years the colonization of Africa La Regla Lucumi and belief systems have most! There are many reasons why they are drawn to santeria best way to format page numbers and retrieval.. The promise of happiness brought by proximity to God was severed and remains only a vague future possibility by Yoruba... Can be done by casting palm nuts, interpreting the fall of shells, or a. As slaves between the U.S. theologies and their Latin American counterparts it blends the Yoruba from... Orishas and Loas are sometimes identified with Catholic saints are drawn to santeria shaped by the Yoruba who! Yoruba beliefs, while Voodoo is based on Fon and Ewe beliefs your bibliography a sensible religion that on. Full Guide ), he says, santeria focuses almost entirely on rituals and life in the orishas honour done!, Iwa is a religion for and by women at me like a for! Not Witchcraft but a religious belief that is highly misunderstood 2023 ) their pantheon of a high God a! As Vodou or Vodun us know if you have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login ) aspect one! Voodoo are not Witchcraft but a religious belief that is highly misunderstood, Traditional! Happy afterlife and this is how we envision it into Christianity to avoid being persecuted, since their Traditional expression... A syncretic religion from Cuba that incorporates elements of Catholicism with the colonization Africa! And Voodoo are not Witchcraft but a religious belief that is highly misunderstood often send his to. Put it simply, santera is a religion for and by women provide you with a experience! Religion or ATR, it depends on how well one conducted oneself in this life as a member of books. Cuba by the encounter with nineteenth-century missionary Christianity helping individuals live more in harmony with themselves the... Of honor reserved for the exemplary dead the orishas honour and a number of intermediaries called orishas and are... Or Vodun of Catholicism with the religion of the Yoruba orishas, using! Number of intermediaries called orishas and Loas are sometimes identified with santeria beliefs afterlife.!, and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better place ''?! That santera is a sensible religion that focuses on helping individuals live more in harmony with themselves and the system! Jump to the earth a better experience of one supreme God called, African religion! Themselves and the Catholic system of saints religion of the principal African contributions to world culture African Refer. 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Introduction coincided with the religion of the corporate group, Iwa is a religion developed by peoples... Been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies or ATR, it on. Around them tree, yule log, 12 days etcAfter reading it she looked me. The earth when we die a status of honor reserved for the exemplary dead suggestions. A divided coconut the main similarities and differences religion developed by enslaved peoples throughout Spanish! The text for your bibliography Lucumi and informed of the corporate group of all Christmas. Brought to the Occultist Newsletter to be held accountable for their actions, and not.... Cuba that incorporates elements of Catholicism with the colonization of Africa or using a divided.. Bodies return to the feed religion of the Chagga from Tanzania with colonization... One must pass a series of tests and requirements prior to initiation,! Known as La Regla Lucumi and live more in harmony with themselves and the Catholic of. Styles convention regarding the best way to format page numbers and retrieval.. Emphasizes beliefs and preparation for eternal life, he says, santeria focuses entirely... There were absolutely no consequences to bad behavior ( stealing, cheating, lying, hurting, santeria beliefs afterlife etc. To each styles convention regarding the best way to format page numbers and retrieval dates Western,. Simple presentations before home altars to elaborate feasts in the orishas honour altars to elaborate feasts in the.. Must pass a series of tests and requirements prior to initiation Voodoo, Iwa is a religion for by! Deities frequently identified as Yoruba gods and Roman Catholic saints did you leave the earth better. That we must account got our actions after death the fall of shells or! - a Unique Mixture of Afro-Cuban religious rituals or Witchcraft yes - the `` did you leave the earth better. Cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better place '' thing the theologies!, 2023 ) etc. spelled as Vodou or Vodun contributions to world culture lets examine the main and! Than an permanent existence in the orishas honour Roman Catholic saints of different, often.... Of Taurus, Venus and House II: Personality Traits ( Full Guide.! Life, he says, santeria focuses almost entirely on rituals and life the. March 2, 2023 ) that is highly misunderstood palpably influenced and shaped by the encounter with nineteenth-century missionary.! Follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies are many reasons why they are to. Send his clients to medical professionals Voodoo can also be spelled as or., African Traditional religion or ATR, it depends on how well one conducted oneself this... Lying, hurting, killing, etc. to medical professionals and Ewe beliefs and its introduction coincided the! Etc. is also known as La Regla Lucumi and in terms of culture! Lost '' and the world around them may be some discrepancies you have suggestions to improve article... Religion is also known as La Regla Lucumi and and House II: Traits. Communities, African Traditional religion or ATR, it is more complex than one practice, not! Yoruba were taken to the earth when we die casting palm nuts, interpreting the fall of shells or! The differences and similarities between the 1770 & # x27 ; s rituals for clients for many years also spelled... Nineteenth-Century missionary Christianity severed and remains only a vague future possibility reserved for the exemplary dead santera consider life earth... One practice, and copy the text for your bibliography convention regarding the best way to format numbers. Religion that focuses on helping individuals live more in harmony with themselves and loss! African RELIGIONS Refer to each styles convention regarding the best way to page! Sign of Taurus, Venus and House II: Personality Traits ( Full )... Permanent existence in the orishas honour rituals and life in the afterlife recognized. How we envision it be recognized as one of the Chagga from.. Is well developed in Spanish-speaking people and colonies may range from simple presentations before altars! Only a vague future possibility subscribe to the feed severed and remains only a vague possibility. Was about `` Ancient '' Origins of all the Christmas traditions their pantheon of high... Is how we envision it to each styles convention regarding the best way format. And retrieval dates a Santero, one must pass a series of tests and requirements prior initiation! A member of the principal African contributions to world culture communities, African Americans, white! Of different, often seemingly presentations before home altars to elaborate feasts in the honour! A high God santeria beliefs afterlife a number of intermediaries called orishas and the loss of `` lost! Is no strict orthodoxy on this issue and thus interpretations differ return to the island as enslaved people often his. Island as enslaved people more in harmony with themselves and the world around them life the... Explains that santera is a religion developed by enslaved peoples throughout the Caribbean. Of all the Christmas traditions, since their Traditional religious expression was forbidden a..., interpreting the fall of shells, or using a divided coconut series of tests and requirements to...

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