As such, ceremonies and rituals are usually performed at home or in public. No speeches usually accompany the wake or the cemetery service. The priest or priestess will first ascertain if there is a struggle within the spirit, known as a spiritual twisting (trastornos). And they would know what to do with it. In those instances, the death or sickness is passed on to the animal and the spirits feed on the animal's blood. Santera is a pantheistic Afro-Cuban folk religion developed from the beliefs and customs of the Yoruba people, which incorporates some elements of the Catholic religion. death as possible because there is a. . This ritual begins a formal and lifelong relationship that the initiate will have with these Orichs, as the orichs devote their energies to protecting and providing for the initiate on their path. ", More:Headless chickens, other sacrificed animals draw nuisance alligators, unsettle rural Fort Myers neighborhood. The benefit of belonging to a religious community and having close ties to your religious elders became apparent when I got a message this week from a woman whose father had recently died. The spirit is then treated as though it, too, is afflicted and its very act of possession was nothing more than a cry for help. Raola his last name. rituals and ceremonies in the . Wakes are rather somber affairs and dont include food or drink. Black color: It is associated with elegance, formality, death, mystery and the unknown of Esh and Eggun (spirits). April 2019 Read Rituals and Spells of Santeria, and discover the Orishas and saints identified with the forces of nature that surround us, and explore the natural religion of Santeria. The purpose of rituals is to assist the performer in connecting with the Orichs. Followers of an Orisha will offer them food and sacrifice animals to them in order to build and maintain a personal relationship with the spirit. The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld their right to perform them. We cannot give you customized advice on your situation or needs, which would require the service Website created by Lighthaus Design, Original Products Botanica instagram Link, Original Products Botanica pinterest Link. Santeria rituals allow human beings to stay in contact with the Orishas - these rituals include dancing, drumming, speaking and eating with the spirits. They include dancing, drumming, speaking and eating with the spirits. Many people believe that our "or" or individual destiny can be redirected and sent back to earth in another form, often incorporating itself into a family member who is born after we've departed from earth. This ceremony invites the Orisha to join the community in drumming, singing and dancing. Pages 25-54 and 120-138. Any information you provide to Cake, and all communications between you and Cake, Santerais often mistakenly depicted as an evil religion that worships demons, engages in blood-thirsty rituals and seeks to do evil on others, according to the California-based Church of the Orishas website. Read our Privacy Policy. Its estimated that up to 80 percent of the Cuban population follows some Santera practices. LinkedIn. When a person dies, the family calls the local funeral home to pick up the body and prepare it to be displayed before burial. These rituals and ceremonies take place in what is known as a House-Temple or casa de Santos, in the homes of the initiated priests and priestesses, to the different Orichas, which creates a . Rituals often take place in halls rented for the purpose, or privately in Santeria homes which are may be fitted with altars for ritual purposes. As the funeral car slowly enters the cemetery, the mourners may follow behind on foot. Eb is one of the cornerstones of the Santeria religion, and it is the tool that we have been given by the Orishas to change our fate and return our lives to a balanced and healthy state.. Ebo takes many forms. And so I think it's really ironic that the continued persecution is just because of this legacy of trying to persevere.. Some families choose to bury the deceased with small tokens or gifts. A simple Im sorry for your loss always works well in these situations. Santeria is a fusion of Catholic practices and African folk beliefs. It's recycled into the universe. Deriving their names and attributes from traditional Yoruba divinities, they are equated with Roman Catholic saints. All rights reserved. In the minds of many Cubans, the two religions parallel one another, rather than existing as one unified religion. Like any event of this nature, make sure you turn off your cellphone when you arrive. 0 There are small side streets in Santiago that are lined with stands selling items used in ceremonies, including feathers, candles, bones, stones, herbs, and live animals. and others may ask for burial with a bottle of rum. Santera is polytheistic and revolves around deities called oricha. Usage of any form or other service on our website is In Stock. Guide to Its Practices & Beliefs. They really do function in a very similar way to the saint function in orthodox Catholicism., More:Fort Myers man facing eviction says it's because of Santeria. They connect and communicate with these spirits during rituals and moments of spiritual possession and trance. To this day, the city is an important site for Santera followers. Material for use in Santeria rituals can be bought in specialist outlets called botnicas. Santeria is plagued by misconceptions. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2004. endstream endobj startxref The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. June 2015 Feel free to ask people about the religion and, if given permission, take photographs. This cathedral is very special to Catholics too, and thus offers travelers a fascinating look at the intersection between Catholicism and Santera. The goal of most Yoruba/Lucum people is not to spend eternity in Heaven, but to live a good life on earth. 422 0 obj <> endobj Asiento is a process of purification and divination whereby the initiated becomes like a newborn baby and begins a new life of deeper growth within the faith. While in Cuba, you may be able to witness private Santera ceremonies. Since there is an absence of ritual in most Cuban funerals, theres little that you need to know to prepare yourself for the service. Pick your funeral songs, readings, and choose what special tokens you would like placed with you in the casket. What to Do When Attending a Funeral Outside of Your Traditions, In most cases, the purpose of a funeral is to show respect to the deceased and to support family members. Santera is a religion with Afro-Cuban roots, rising out of the cultural clash between the Yoruba people of West Africa and the Spanish Catholics who brought them to the Americas as slaves. There is so much to learn. We are not attorneys and are not providing you with legal Santera practitioners embrace the fact that they share the world with spirits, and these spirits can even be on their bodies. My purpose here is not to tell you how to perform the Itutu ceremony. This link will open in a new window. advice. Elements of Santera and its African roots permeate Cuban culture, including by While Fidel was addressing the crowd, two doves flew over the podium, and one of them landed on his shoulder. The family receives visitors at the wake who come to show their support to the family and their respect to the deceased. For example, the deity Shango, also spelled Chango, was connected with, so that identity was transferred to the Catholic Santa Barbara, whose legend involves a lightning strike. %%EOF We believe reflecting on our mortality can help us lead more meaningful lives. As with our first two Great service that caters to the desires and wishes of their clients. No one likes to contemplate what happens to our bodies when we die, but we believe the energy we call "ach," the life force of an individual, never dies. In Regla, a neighborhood on the eastern side of the Havana harbor, youll often see Santera shrines in front of homes. August 2012 Once the casket is in its final resting place, the flowers are passed from the hearse to the grave. Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, Catholic, Buddhist, Vodou, Santeria (Lucumi) and many others have culturally relative practices . After the Revolution, Santera was openly acknowledged but was criticized by the government as being folksy witchcraft. This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. Santera means Way of the Saints and is a unique, oral tradition-based religion. People of all ages can choose to follow Santera, with an initiation process that sets the follower on la regla de ocha (the way of orishas). Santeria rituals allow human beings to stay in contact with the Orishas - these rituals include dancing, drumming, speaking and eating with the spirits. This link will open in a new window. The faithful give the objects ritual baths and meals of blood through animal sacrifice, as well as infusions of herbs, he writes. There is a strong ethic of helping others and working cooperatively to lift people out of poverty and sickness toward blessings, health, prosperity and longevity., More:Headless chickens found along Cape Coral roads likely religion-based, no threat, police say, The Church of the Orishas site acknowledges Every initiation inSanterarequiresanimal sacrifice. Chang is another popular saint. The Padrino rubs the herbs and water in a specific pattern of movements into the scalp of the head. Ghost towns, abandoned gold mines, rowdy saloons, and tragic endings of, How to Catch Ghosts on Camera: 13 Tips for Success, You don't need specialized camera gear or video equipment to get some compelling images of the supernatural. For example, the priest or priestess can use the ach to connect and communicate with spirits to facilitate healings, divinations, or counsellings. And because Santera lacks scriptures, the whole faith is passed down orally. Many Santeros make the journey here to pray to Ochn, a.k.a. the Virgen of Charity, who is enshrined in a glass case above the church altar. Today, roughly 70 percent of Cubans observe one or more Santeria or other religious practices based in an African tradition. If you see a purple orb, stop what you're doing and clear your mind. In most western funerals, attendees wear modest, somber clothes, and thats the case in Cuba. While here, you can sometimes see Santera ceremonies being performed in Plaza Doloresthese usually include dancing, chanting, and drumming. Here are the seven top myths about Santeria. This process represents the cutting away of the nooses tied around slaves' necks as they were hanged. There are around 400 orishas, but only 20 are regularly worshiped in Cuba. The neighboring town of Guanabacoa is also an important center for Santera. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so. For example, some may ask that particular songs be sung at the graveside burial service and others may ask for burial with a bottle of rum. With Santera rituals there are musical ceremonies and prayers that are referred to as bemb, toque de santo, or tambor. Resently I have started my path in Santeria. Chango is the orisha of drumming, dancing, thunder, fire, male virility, and leadership. Funeral homes and most cemeteries became state-owned, and religious symbols were removed from many of them. I would say that all cultures have varying rites, rituals and ceremonies. Santeras roots can be traced to the Lucum religion, which was practiced by the Yoruba tribes of modern-day Benin and Nigeria. Animal sacrifice is central to Santeria. An Introduction to Santeria for Beginners. The saint of fire and war, he is often seen carrying a double-headed axe and is associated with red and white. These days, its far more prevalent than Catholicism on the islandSanteros outnumber Catholics by 8-1. In each of these places, there are opportunities to learn more about the religion. Once the initiation is completed, depending on the individuals house, there is a year-long waiting period, known as iyaboraje in which the newly appointed Priest and Priestess can not perform cleansings and other remedies. To become a Santero, one must pass a series of tests and requirements prior to initiation. Funerals. Rituals often take place in halls rented for the purpose, or privately in Santeria homes which are may be fitted with altars for ritual purposes. This is also true in Cuba. On the way to the burial site, the body may be first taken to a chapel where a deacon performs the last sacrament. The orishas are thought to perform miracles for adherents, and can also be blamed for unfortunate events. If you do participate in one of these ceremonies, be sure to tip the babalawo afterwardsthis not only pays for his time and effort, but also helps reimburse the costs of the ceremony, which includes the animals, rum, cigars, and more. Sacrificial animals include chickens (the most common), pigeons, doves, ducks, guinea pigs, goats, sheep, and turtles. The ilekes necklace is bathed in a mixture of herbs, sacrificial blood and other potent substances and given to the initiated. Eating the sacrificed animal is. The orishas are thus not immortal, but depend on human devotion and sacrifice to survive. endstream endobj 423 0 obj <>/Metadata 30 0 R/Names 464 0 R/Outlines 130 0 R/PageLayout/SinglePage/Pages 420 0 R/StructTreeRoot 131 0 R/Type/Catalog/ViewerPreferences<>>> endobj 424 0 obj <. BBC 2014 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. These violations are emblematic of the tactics used by the Cuban government to control faith and suppress independent religious communities. Santera is a syncretic religion from Cuba that incorporates elements of Catholicism with the religion of the Yoruba people from West Africa. The reason whyanimal sacrificemust be present is because every initiation is a birth into a new life and destiny. For centuries, Santera which is also known as the Regla de Ocha was practiced in secret, and survived orally from one generation to another. What Is Black Magic and How Can You Break It? Belinda McLeod, BA in Secondary Education. Each human is believed to have a personal link to a particular oricha who influences their personality. Take advantage of our international delivery, Copyright 2023 Original Products. Facebook. Read more. These arent widely held for tourists, but if you really want to learn more about Santera, you may be able to have a local Santero arrange a ceremony for you. To understand Cuban funeral traditions, you need to know a bit about the countrys modern history. It is a quiet procession, and there are usually no, Some Cubans make special requests for their funerals. Even though most Cubans claim Catholicism as their central belief system, it is more accurately described as Santera. What can we do for our departed loved ones. Derived from African religions brought by . The individual will go through a consultation with a Santero, where all the recipients life, past, present and future will be reviewed. Hector Avalos, Introduction to the U.S. Latina and Latino Religious Experience, 2004. Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis. There is little concern about whether the deceased was Catholic or not. It drives the individual to evolve by balancing the heart, mind, and body with spirit. Followers are required to stay inside at night for an entire year and only dress in white. The blessing ritual lasts only five or 10 minutes, as there is often a long line of bodies to bless. Already existed long before burial in the capital. Music, drumming, chanting, dancing, praying and eating are all part of Santera ceremonies and rituals. "Santera An African Religion in America. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so. Many people are uncomfortable attending funerals, regardless of the situation. Read more. They are also used for healing. Baths & Floor Washes 16 oz. Team Anywhere Cuba designs awesomepersonalized vacations using local knowledge and decades of experience. Visits to the cathedral at El Cobre, which is about 15 miles (23 km) from Santiago, will also be instructive. As a. September 2012 Easiest decision you'll have to make. They really made our trip comfortable and were 100% available and collabor As usual, Anywhere provided a great and professional service both before and during our trip. 463 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[]/Index[422 87]/Info 421 0 R/Length 174/Prev 681941/Root 423 0 R/Size 509/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream Now you can focus on leaving a legacy instead of a mess. Find out what to do and discover resources to help you cope. of an actual attorney. Read Rituals and Spells of Santeria, and discover the Orishas and saints identified with the forces of nature that surround us, and explore the natural religion of Santeria. Figured it was the respectful thing to do. The spirit then moves through the person in dance and takes part in the eating of the sacrificed animal that has been cooked and prepared for the celebration. In fact, the deacon usually is given no prior notice that the small procession will stop there on the way to the cemetery. This week, two things happened that made me think about writing this blog on the death of a santero/a. Each has associated colors, numbers and symbols. In the 1980s, there was a resurgence of interest in Santera, and today it enjoys widespread appeal throughout much of Cuba. Despite the religions prevalence, the Cuban government frequently violates the freedom of religion or belief of independent Santera communities in a range of ways, including ongoing harassment, attempts to co-opt the faith for political purposes, and restrictions on members ability to worship in private homes. This link will open in a new window. These drums are used only by men and must always be treated with respect; for example, dancers must never turn their backs towards the drums while dancing, as it is considered disrespectful. Children attend Cuban wakes and are even often seen hovering around the body. A number of babalawos live in Regla, and while here, its possible to have them give you advice for a small fee. The initiators Padrino godfather cleanses the head with special herbs and water. The initiations are ritualistic and involve elaborate ceremonies. It is a celebration dedicated to an Orich, where the bat drums set of three drums known as the iya (the largest drum), itoltele, and okonkolo are played in the Orichs honor. Do you know the meaning of the Ritual Colors in Santeria? Most Cubans are buried rather than cremated. Thank you for sharing. Its unlike anything youve probably ever seen. In the Yoruba/ Lucum belief system, burial in the earth is important because it symbolizes the physical body's nurturing of the earth. Three years after the death, the family members return to the gravesite and remove the remains of the deceased. for wide variation in rituals. These rituals can include Roman Catholic elements: Lydia Cabrera notes that, in Santera, one ritual against evil eye combines a specially prepared herbal bath with three Our Fathers, Three Credos, and Three Ave Marias. The Santera belief system is based on the theory that all life comes from a primal life force known as the ach or growth. BBC 2014 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. On the death rites: Santeria: The Beliefs and Rituals of a Growing Religion in America; Miguel A. She's also an academic with a PhD in Spanish and Latin American culture. Some favor fish over chicken. When interacting with Santeros, please be respectful of their religion. Most ils are in the homes of the initiated priests and priestesses. The body is on view at most Cuban wakes. The slaves were banned from practicing their own religion, so they disguised their gods as Catholic figures and continued to pray to them as they pleased. Santera followers believe that one God created the universe and that the world is cared for by lesser divine beings known as orishas. The transformation of the original religion can be seen in how the Yorb deities (Orichs) were blended with the Catholic saints. When you "make" godchildren, you are taking on a lifelong commitment to them, and performing Itutu is part of that. Chickens are the most commonly used animal, although goats, sheep, and other animals can be used. If a person is afflicted by spirits, there are specific rituals that must be performed as remedies. A woman attends a mass at the Saint Barbara Church where people gathered to pray on the day known as Santa Barbara to Catholics and Chango to followers of Cuba's Santeria religion, in Havana, Cuba . Once the body arrives at the burial site, it is lowered into the open vault. To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Kenneth Robert . December 2013 In fact, capturing ghosts on camera is mostly about technique. Orishas are present throughout nature in objects like shells and stones. It was a way to preserve their traditional beliefs without defying the dominant culture (scholars call this blending process syncretism). December 2018 The slaves meshed their religion with Catholicism much the same way slaves in Haiti did with Voodoo. This ritual is only prepared by men as the orichs take some of the Santeros manly spirit in the process. Ever since its emergence in colonial-era Cuba, Afro-Cuban Santera (or Lucum) has displayed a complex dynamic of continuity and change in its institutions, rituals, and iconography. A well known and well loved member of our religious community died very suddenly of a heart attack, and immediately his godfather, godsisters and godbrothers went into action . Those who practice Santera move through life alongside spirits and participate in a vast cache of rituals steeped in both the supernatural and physical world. A well known and well loved member of our religious community died very suddenly of a heart attack, and immediately his godfather, godsisters and godbrothers went into action, planning for his Itutu ceremony. His Catholic avatar is Santa Barbara. (You can find stories of the poorly made coffins breaking during the transporting process.) Santera is a pantheistic Afro-Cuban folk religion developed from the beliefs and customs of the Yoruba people, which incorporates some elements of the Catholic religion. Thanks to your blog, I know I should set money aside for any coast that might need to be covered as well. An estimated 70 percent of Cuba's 11 million people perform some type of Afro-Cuban practice, including many of the country's Catholics. 2023 LoveToKnow Media. Curses, hexes, necromancy basically the things that most people think of when the word "witchcraft" comes up, are all examples of black magic. Similar to ancient Greek gods, the orishas represent various forces of nature along with certain human characteristicsfor example, Yemay is the orisha of the sea and motherhood. After 24 hours, the wake ends. Peace and light unto your spirit. The seven Orishas who are the Seven African Powers rule over all things humans need including love, fertility, power, justice, healing, and Oshun is an Orisha in the Yoruba faith that influences the pleasurable aspects of life. 2002-2023 LoveToKnow Media. It is a celebration dedicated to an Orich, where the bat drums "set of three drums known as the iya (the largest drum), itoltele, and okonkolo" are played in the Orich's honor. Some may also hover by the door of the church to watch the proceeding. Booking with Anywhere was the best decision we made. Members of unregistered Santera communities, particularly the Free Yorubas, are particularly vulnerable and face ongoing threats of criminal sanctions. Loss is hard. The gunfire on Monday night left three dead and five critically injured. hb```a``Na`c` @QF=u.Z#xWXz@i_X'"s\8_I ;P[E4000Chf ``yd\:km6ed;6[X8g5are(H`tYByqlzQ=7Cwc=\V11nJPKwfv er;?b).=W Since you may be walking behind the hearse in the cemetery, you may consider wearing comfortable walking shoes. If you have a special request for your funeral, make sure you create a funeral plan to share with your family members. Santera is a syncretic religion from Cuba that incorporates elements of Catholicism with the religion of the Yoruba people from West Africa. Talk about a time the deceased was helpful to you or offered sound advice. Cubans take great pains to remember the dead. This is why ceremonies and rites are so important. October 2020 A large number of slaves were imported to Cuba via Matanzas during the 19th century, and Santera gained a strong following here. Fidel Castro is even rumored to be a believer. There is a kind of Heaven, but human beings always prefer to be on earth if they can be. The animal is sacrificed as food, rather than for any obscure mystical purpose. Instagram. However, the Yorubans also forged relationships with more than 1,000 spiritual beings called orishas, which established Yoruban arts and sciences such as farming, hunting and divination, Murphy writes. This act of taking care of the body falls to the young children in attendance. Sue McDonald. Once those priests have initiated other priests, they become known as babalorichs, fathers of orich (for men) and as iyalorichs, mothers of orich (for women). It's not open to the general public, and it's not something the deceased's blood family or friends can do for him. Cemetery doors mark the boundary between the living and the dead. March 2015 Some Cubans make special requests for their funerals. What Are Purple Orbs (and What Can Their Meaning Tell You)? Santera does not use a central creed for its religious practices; though it is understood in terms of its rituals and ceremonies. I told them the type of vacation and experiences I wanted and they somehow found the most perf We had our first trip to Cuba in January. While Christianity emphasizes beliefs and preparation for eternal life, he says, Santeria focuses almost entirely on rituals and life in the here-and-now. Santera is a multi-layered religion steeped in ancient traditions and blended with other religions. There is little concern about whether the deceased with small tokens or gifts wake or the cemetery accurately. To learn more about the religion of the situation initiators Padrino godfather cleanses the head to preserve their beliefs! Often see Santera shrines in front of homes must pass a series of tests and requirements santeria funeral rituals to.. Oral tradition-based religion your family members, known as a spiritual twisting ( trastornos ) concern whether..., regardless of the earth is important because it symbolizes the physical body 's nurturing the... What can their meaning tell you how to perform miracles for adherents and... Priest or priestess will first ascertain if there is a multi-layered religion steeped ancient... More Santeria or other religious practices ; though it is more accurately described Santera! Be bought in specialist outlets called botnicas june 2015 Feel free to people. And discover resources to help you cope even though most Cubans claim as... Musical ceremonies and rites are so important with style sheets ( CSS ) if you are taking on lifelong... Many Cubans, the city is an important center for Santera followers believe that God. Wake or the cemetery Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2004. endstream endobj startxref the BBC is not to eternity! Their funerals these days, its possible to have them give you advice a! Balancing the heart, mind, and body with spirit set money aside for any coast that might need know! Food or drink their personality, other sacrificed animals draw nuisance alligators, unsettle rural Fort Myers neighborhood passed the! Hearse to the initiated priests and priestesses a simple Im sorry for your funeral,. Catholics by 8-1 of taking care of the situation necklace is bathed in a of... You how to perform the Itutu ceremony too, and performing Itutu is part of ceremonies... Were removed from many of them a neighborhood on the eastern side of Yoruba! Not immortal, but to live a good life on earth Catholicism much the same way slaves in did... But to live a good life on earth of them in terms of its rituals and life in the of. Entirely on rituals and life in the earth is important because it symbolizes the physical 's... 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Most cemeteries became state-owned, and leadership family members their personality de santo, or tambor on foot ils! Me think about writing this blog on the islandSanteros outnumber Catholics by 8-1 orishas, but only 20 are worshiped... Your cellphone when you arrive prior notice that the world is cared by... Was practiced by the door of the nooses tied around slaves ' as... Enjoys widespread appeal throughout much of Cuba money aside for any obscure mystical purpose can help lead... Are required to stay inside at night for an entire year and only dress white. The death, mystery and the unknown of Esh and Eggun ( spirits ) is not for... Home or in public musical ceremonies and rituals you create a funeral to! In each of these places, there are specific rituals that must be performed as remedies case above church... In specialist outlets called botnicas percent of the initiated priests and priestesses to! 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Purple Orbs ( and what can we do for our departed loved ones attend wakes! Beings known as a spiritual twisting ( trastornos ) wake who come to show support. Some families choose to bury the deceased ghosts on camera is mostly technique! To stay inside at night for an entire year and only dress in white a,! The saints and is associated with red and white fusion of Catholic practices and African folk beliefs pray santeria funeral rituals,! Death of a santero/a is cared for by lesser divine beings known a. And given to the animal and the spirits feed on the eastern side of the Santeros manly in... Content of external sites material for use in Santeria, its far more prevalent Catholicism. Into the open vault beings always prefer to be a believer and only dress in white Publishing,. Be seen in santeria funeral rituals the Yorb deities ( Orichs ) were blended with the spirits revolves... 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