Santería is a syncretic religion of Caribbean origin, also known as Regla de Ocha, La Regla Lucumi, or Lukumi.
The word "santería", often used by colonial Europeans to describe the religion of Africans whose origins are Yoruba (present-day Nigeria and its surrounding environs), can be loosely translated from Spanish as the "Way of the Saints". The Africans, however, called themselves: "O lukumi" or "my friend". This term may have emerged from the...
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Santería is a syncretic religion of Caribbean origin, also known as Regla de Ocha, La Regla Lucumi, or Lukumi.
The word "santería", often used by colonial Europeans to describe the religion of Africans whose origins are Yoruba (present-day Nigeria and its surrounding environs), can be loosely translated from Spanish as the "Way of the Saints". The Africans, however, called themselves: "O lukumi" or "my friend". This term may have emerged from the consolidation of African beliefs and culture under the banner of a colonizing country, in this case, Spain. It formed the basis for a new "people", united under oppression.
The priests are known as Babalorishas, "fathers of orisha", and priestesses as Iyalorishas, "mothers of orisha", and serve as the junior Ile or second in the hierarchical religious structure. The Babalorishas and Iyalorishas are referred to as "Santeros(as)" and if they function as diviners of the Orishas they can be considered Oriates. The highest level of achievement is...
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