Santeria, a syncretistic caribbean religion beliefs and practices. This book provides general insight into this ancient religion that has apparently disappeared from modern society. Jan 30, 2020 santeria is a monotheistic religion with a god named olodumare, owner of all destinies, writes joseph murphy in his book santeria an african religion in. It emerged in cuba during the 17th century, and has been embedded in cuban society ever since. They range from simple introductions to ones complete with instructions on using santeria supplies and santeria spells.
That is, it is a magicoreligious system that has its roots in nature and natural forces. It clarifies differences between santeria and voodoo for instance, and it also discusses how the religion continues to grow and evolve. Santeria is a fusion of catholic practices and african folk beliefs. A ritual typically begins with the invocation of olurun. It is in no form to critisize the believers of this system or culture. Initiated into santeria at the age of seven, raul canizares unveils the secret world of this rapidly growing afrocuban religion. In the study of the santeria religion, we find a reflection of the struggle of afro. Santeria enthroned presents an ambitious blend of archival research, visual analysis, oralhistorical interviews, ethnography, ethnohistory, and the techniques of art history, applied to the problematic tension between continuity and innovation in afrocuban religion. New jersey in the late twentieth century, havana in the nineteenth century, and so on. Rites are led by a priest or priestess, and reincarnation is a main belief. The beliefs and rituals of a growing religion in america, 2004, isbn.
The religion is an informative and insightful examination of an african religion s survival in the new world. There is no central authority in control of the movement, which comprises adherents known as. Sep 08, 2002 the resulting religion is known as santeria, a blend of primitive magic and catholicism now practiced by an estimated five million americans. If you are curious to learn more about this religion and if you want to learn the truth behind the myths this book is the perfect place for you to begin. Blending african beliefs with those of roman catholicism, it fuses christian saints with african deities orishas. At our online botanica you will find all books in english for you santeria, ifa, lucumi religion needs at the biggest store for you. Like most aboriginal religions, it is preserved by an oral tradition.
Chango is the orisha of drumming, dancing, thunder, fire, male virility, and leadership. In the yoruba belief system, olodumare has ase over all that is. The religion covers every aspect of this religion, including its rites and ceremonies. The followers of santeria are polytheists, they follow several deities whose identity is a mixture of african beliefs with christian saints.
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. He was once a living king on earth as the fourth alafin of oyo in yoruba land. Quoting an essay on the lukumi tradition by afolabi. It arose through a process of syncretism between the traditional yoruba religion of west africa and the roman catholic form of christianity. Ogun santeria and the master of iron, santeria formulary and spellbook and osanyin santeria and the lord of plants are only a few of the titles we carry. They have been tasked with maintaining this earth, watching over the affairs of humanity and each has dominion over a portion of nature. The resulting religion is known as santeria, a blend of primitive magic. Santeria enthroned is an ambitious book that achieves a dense, textured understanding of. It is a religion of trance, mystery, posse ssion, blood and sex. At our online botanica you will find all books in english for you santeria, ifa, lucumi religion needs at the biggest store for you yoruba needs. It is a belief system based on the religions of all the previously mentioned cultures. Santeria the way of the saints is the religions popular name.
Santeria involves a great many rituals and ceremonies, all of which are personalized according to the individuals destiny. Oct 15, 2003 santeria enthroned presents an ambitious blend of archival research, visual analysis, oralhistorical interviews, ethnography, ethnohistory, and the techniques of art history, applied to the problematic tension between continuity and innovation in afrocuban religion. If you have ever wondered what santeria is, if you are curious about the rituals and practices of this mysterious religion, and want to delve in its deepest secrets, read santeria. Also excellent is here book the santeria experience. Santeria has no scriptures and is passed on by wordofmouth. With the knowledge of an insider and the insight of a scholar, canizares examines the practice of santeria, revealing its hidden dimensions and unique mix of african, cuban, and catholic traditions.
The core of the video is how to become enlightened to. Santeria combines influences of caribbean tradition, west africas yoruba spirituality, and elements of catholicism. The beliefs, the practices, the legends of santeria are brilliantly brought to life in this exciting and critically bestseller. Santera is a religion with afrocuban roots, rising out of the cultural clash between the yoruba people of. The name by which the religion is now most commonly known, santeria, is a pejorative term first applied by the spanish to the religious practices of the peasantry. As the traditional belief systems of the western world cease to provide a direct emotional involvement with the mysteries of life, more and more people are turning to the throbbing of the santeria drums. The religion contains over 65 remarkable photographs that will take you right into santeria traditions. These days, its far more prevalent than catholicism on the islandsanteros outnumber catholics by 81. Jan 01, 2004 the book not only discusses the religion and its concepts but also history, background, and context. In the study of the santeria religion, we find a reflection of the struggle of afrocuban. The beliefs and rituals of a growing religion in america at.
Here you will find an overview of the santeria religion. What makes santeria so unique is the fact that it is a syncretic religion it combines the beliefs and practices of several religions, primarily the african yoruba religion with roman catholic elements mixed in. It will answer all of your questions and much more. 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.
The name santeria derives from the correspondences made by some devotees between the yoruba deities called orishas and the saints santos of roman catholic piety. The book will stand as an essential reference for decades to vcome. The resulting religion is known as santeria, a blend of primitive magic and catholicism now practiced by an estimated five million americans. I am a student of world religions and have friends in the yoruba, candomble, santeria religions and have found this book to of great understanding of how the religion is interpreted. Catholic symbols are sometimes used in santeria rituals. The yoruba religion comprises the traditional religious and spiritual concepts and practice of. Rituals and spells of santeria book by migene gonzalezwippler. Santeria the way of the saints is the religion s popular name. The resulting religion is known as santeria, a blend of primitive magic and catholicism. The site promotes religious tolerance and respect for difference by offering accurate, accessible information. This is a complex religion, not easily understood by a lay person and the author takes great strides in presenting the religion in a language that demystifies the. These are combined with elements of roman catholicism. Santeria beliefs condensed santeria guide for beginners. Some of these ceremonies may be considered bizarre or controversial.
The book not only discusses the religion and its concepts but also history, background, and context. Readers get a sense of the shifting strategies that help santeria practitioners and artists negotiate their. Santeria is a religion governed by strict rules of behavior, but characterized by wide latitude of interpretation due to the individualistic nature of worship clark, 2007. The shocking photographic material together with the unique interviews with santeros leaders show us aspects of this religion rarely exposed to the public. Brought to cuba as slaves, the yoruba people of west africa preserved their religions heritage by disguising their gods as catholic saints and worshipping them in. This religion that was created out of slavery, cruelty, and the unexpected mixing of different cultures and nations has about 75 100 million followers these days. Santeria and spiritual books in english nelstar services. All elements of nature, including food are considered to have life energy or ashe. The religion is an informative and insightful the resulting religion is known as santeria, a blend of primitive magic and catholicism now practiced by an estimated five million americans. Santeria enthroned is an ambitious book that achieves a dense, textured understanding of orisha traditions located in multiple, local diasporas. Understanding santeria and afrocuban spiritual traditions. Find, read and cite all the research you need on researchgate. The beliefs and rituals of a growing religion in america 9780802849731 by miguel a.
Santeria includes the worship of the orisha literally head guardians, and religious beliefs of the yoruba and bantu people in southern nigeria, senegal and guinea coast. I converted to the ifalucimi faith 2 years ago and it changed my life for the better. Santeria is not a religion of a book, like judaism, christianity, or islam. Santeria and spiritual books in english santeria yoruba ifa. The first book to provide complete, specific instructions for casting the obi oracle of the santeria faith. List of books and articles about santeria online research library. Buy a cheap copy of rituals and spells of santeria book by migene gonzalezwippler. We have a wonderful collection of santeria and yoruba books. Art, ritual, and innovation in an afrocuban religion edition 1. A unique mixture of afrocuban religious rituals or.
The beliefs and rituals of a growing religion in america. About is an educational website for all who are interested in afrocuban spirituality and religion. The religion is an informative and insightful examination of an african religions survival in the new world. This is an alright book for those seeing an overview of santeria but it does contain some. The santeria religion is not based on the worship of an all powerful creator deity, but rather on the worship of the dir. Interestingly, santeria is one of the fastest growing religions in the united states.
Foreword magazine book of the year awards, finalist, religion 2004 choice magazine, outstanding academic book 2005 south florida sunsentinel the author, who grew up in the santeria faith, provides insight into the myths, rituals, worldview, history and cultural influence of the afrocuban religion. No one could write this book better than migene gonzalezwippler. Aug 23, 2004 foreword magazine book of the year awards, finalist, religion 2004 choice magazine, outstanding academic book 2005 south florida sunsentinel the author, who grew up in the santeria faith, provides insight into the myths, rituals, worldview, history and cultural influence of the afrocuban religion. Race and religion in cuba center on race and social.
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