Puerto Rico Culture: The Origins and Ritualistic Practices of Santeria Religion

The Santeria religion is practiced widely in Cuba and to a lesser extent in Puerto Rico. The Santeria is kept secret as there are still people who see it as devil worship when it is not.

Anyone caught worshipping native gods would be punished many times by death in this time. Africans and indigenous people then learned to keep the religion secret in the past.

Santeria is a religion based on West African traditions and was brought to the New World by slaves. The practice includes communicating with the dead and with deities such as Chango.

There are also thousands of Santeria followers in Florida. The rituals and traditions of Santeria are passed down orally as the religion has no written text or bible.

Santeria Religion in Puerto Rico

Santeria is not just about magic or voodoo as there are people that go to practitioners of this religion when they are sick. Santeria practitioners know what herbs give the needed effects.

When an animal needs to be sacrificed, it is done by a priest or Babalu alone. They have altars and offer food, money, and coffee. However, they do not kill an animal. The religion is polytheistic, with santeros and santeras believing in multiple deities.

The orishas or gods in the religion of Santeria include Elegua, who is the god of the dead or underworld. This god knows how to play tricks on people and is also considered to be the god that protects you.

Chango, also among the deities, is known to be the god of thunder and was described as a lustful god. He is likened to the mythic Ares.

Yemaya is an ocean goddess and is the queen of all brujas and brujos. She is considered to be a "Mother" goddess and protects women and children.

Oshun is the goddess of love and beauty and was very much likened to Venus. Obatala is a god said to be the father of man much like Adam.

Santeria Origins and Practice

Santeria was believed to have originated in Cuba between the 16th and 19th centuries. It then spread to Venezuela, Mexico, and United States.

Just like in the Catholic faith, Santeria is believed that each person is born with an assigned angel and Archangel. Santeria practitioners believe that each person is "born to" a particular orisha, may it be male or female.

It is also believed that the orisha will have a lot of influence on the personality of the individual. Santeros and santeras ask for protection from the orishas by making offerings, sponsoring ceremonies, and communicating with them through divination, prayers, dreams, music, and dance.

Charms and amulets are also very important in Santeria. Protective charms called the "resguardo" are created using herbs, blood, and other sacred stones.

Santeria priests were not allowed to practice their traditional religion. They then reportedly hid their rituals under the guise of Roman Catholic figures.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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