FAQ Lucumi

FAQ LUCUMI SANTERIA

1.GENERAL QUESTIONS FROM OUTSIDERS/NEWCOMERS ABOUT LUKUMI (Santeria)

a. What is Lucumi?

Lukumi (often spelled Lucumi), popularly known as Santeria, or La Regla de Ocha is a religious system brought to the New World island of Cuba by Yoruba slaves from Africa in the area that is now Nigeria .

b. Where did Lucumi come from?

The roots of Lukumi are from the Yoruba speaking peoples of West Africa - who had various sub-ethnic groups. Lukumi evolved out of contact between enslaved Africans brought to Cuba with other African ethnic groups, and the diffusion of the Roman Catholic rituals of the slaveholders. This process is often referred to as syncretism. Elements of contact with surviving indigenous Caribs, and with Chinese indentured labor on the island also affected Lukumi ritual practices.

c. What is Santeria?

A popular name for the New World African based religion, Lukumi or La Regla de Ocha, which has incorporated elements of Catholic worship. Orisha are often popularly referred to as "saints", however - Shango is not Saint Barbara, nor is Babaluaye Saint Lazarus.

d. Why do you call your religion "santeria" and yourselves "santera/santeros" if you don't worship saints?

Since slaves In Cuba were not allowed to practice their religions openly, and slaves were also baptized Catholic by their Spaniard enslavers, the practice of Yoruba religion had to incorporate elements of Catholicism in order to survive. Over time - descendants of Africans in Cuba continued to practice Catholicism - but to also continued their earlier beliefs. There was diffusion of Catholicism into Yoruba belief. Slaves were allowed to join societies called Cabildos, which were devoted to specific saints. Members of the Cabildos paraded - and formed groups ostensibly devoted to the Catholic images, while still practicing as priests in the older Yoruba tradition. These Lukumi priests, as a result, were called “santeros”.

e. What/who are the Orisha?

Orisha are deified ancestors - symbolic of both natural forces and energies who stand between the living and the Creator (Olodumare) in Yoruba belief. Their energies directly interact with humans, since Olodumare is distant and removed from human affairs.

f. What are Egun?

Lineal ancestral spirits. All ceremonies and rituals in the Lukumi religion begin with paying homage to one’s ancestors.

g. Why is your religion secret?

Because it was repressed under slavery, its adherents arrested and persecuted, open worship was impossible both during enslavement and after emancipation. Due to the ethnocentrism and racism of practitioners of mainstream religions who did not recognize African systems of belief as religions, and to their attitudes towards animal sacrifice as part of ritual, Lukumi was banned.

When the Church of the Lukumi Babalu Aye v. City of Hialeah won a Supreme court case in 1993, it opened the doors for Lukumi worshippers to begin to practice openly in the United States . There is still a level or fear and paranoia - heightened by media sensationalism, misinformation, and local ordinances that restrict Lukumi worshippers from openly declaring their faith and exercising their right to worship. As more scholarly books are published, as Lukumi’s become more pro-active, this situation is changing. The Internet has played a major role in this process.

h. How do I deal with a Lukumi practitioner as an employer, co-worker, teacher, health practitioner, corrections officer?

The same way you would deal with people of other faiths - with respect. If they are wearing bead necklaces - refrain from touching them. If they have their heads covered - respect that the same way you would respect the yarmulke of a Jewish person, the turban of a Sikh or the kufi of a Muslim.

2. QUESTIONS ABOUT LUKUMI AS A BELIEF SYSTEM AND IN RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER RELIGIONS/FAITHS

a. Do you believe in God?

Yes we believe in a Creator who we call Olodumare.

b. Do you believe in the Devil?

No. Yoruba belief has no oppositional set up - good versus evil, God versus a Devil. One strives to develop good character and good works during your lifetime. There are concepts of negative energies however - most generated by human foibles.

c. Do you have a Church or place to worship?

Lucumi practitioners have shrines and altars in their own homes, but come together for group worship in a variety of locations for specific events. This is one of the main differences between Lukumi and Candomble of Brazil - a sister worship system, where there are terreiros or houses of worship.

d. Do you have a religious text like the Bible or Koran?

Yes - but it was orally transmitted until recently. This corpus of knowledge includes Odu Ifa and patakis (moral parables)

e. Where can I find / read your sacred text? Who wrote it?

There are numerous ethnographic texts compiling portions of Odu Ifa, prayers (Oriki) and patakis (parables) as well as the body of religious ceremonial songs and drum patterns which are prayer as well. No one text exists with the entire corpus since it is still oral and passed down from teachers to students.

f. Is Lukumi/Santeria a cult?

No. “Cult” is a pejorative term. Lukumi is a religion. It has over 20 million adherents in the New World when you include the branches in Brazil .

g. Isn't Lukumi/Santeria voodoo?

No. Voudou or Vodoun is an West African religion brought to the New World by the Fon people of Dahomey , and though they have similarities they are different in genesis.

h. What's the difference between Lukumi and Espiritismo?

They are completely different systems of belief. Lucumi is a religion, Espiritismo is the practice of mediumship, dealing with the dead and guardian spirits - based on French spiritism which became popularized in the New World in the early 1900’s, particularly in Puerto Rico. In the 1940’s and 1950’s some practitioners of Espiritismo also became Santeros - and have grafted the two practices together.

i. Is Lukumi a Pagan religion and if not what makes Lukumi different?

If you define Pagan as a pan-theistic folk tradition, then no - because Lukumi Yoruba belief is mono-theistic and urban.

j. Isn't Santeria/Lukumi brujeria(witchcraft)?

No. Brujeria or witchcraft is the practice of contagious and/or sympathetic magic.

Lucumi prayer - like all world religions seeks the intercession of the divine.

k. Isn't the religion purer in Africa ?

No. In Africa the religion has also been influenced by Islam and Christianity - and the decimation of the slave trade took a heavy toll on African adherents. A better way to phrase this is that both African and New World traditions are not static and change to adjust to variances in history, and contemporary socio-political conditions.

l. Who is the symbolic or de facto leader of your religion, i.e. - Pope, Dalai Lama, Archbishop, Ayatollah, etc.?

There is no one leader. The Lukumi system is organized around “iles” (houses of worshippers) or “ramas” (lineages of worshippers) and since the religion is hierarchical - the leaders are elders, or those with elder status from the various ramas or iles.

m. What are the "unchanging truths" of your religion?

Reverence for the ancestors.

Each person is born with an Ori (or destiny) that they have chosen.

Belief that there are mediators between oneself and Olodumare (the Creator), called Orisha.

n. How old is your religion? Who founded it?

This question is debatable -many archeologists and historians have asserted that the Yoruba migrated to what is now Nigeria around 1000 C.E. The greatest influx of Yoruba slaves arrived in Cuba by the mid to late 1800’s so Lukumi as it is practiced today has ancient roots with modern New World modifications.

o. How many followers do you have, worldwide?

Estimates range from 15 million to 40 million world wide. Figures in the US are debatable - since there are still many religionists who will not admit openly to their practice, due to prejudice and legal suppression.

p. Where can I go to find out more information?

See book lists and suggested reading posts google group alt.religion.orisha

There are many more books available these days, and many online forums where one can talk with priests and practitioners. A word to the wise - some of the books currently on the market are full of errors, some of the websites are run by charlatans. This is a religion that requires a relationship to teachers and guides. It's not "do-it-yourself", in either practice or initiation.

3. QUESTIONS ABOUT LUKUMI STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION

a. What is a rama?

A lineage of priests - dating back to one common initiated ancestor

b. What is an ile?

A group of related priests, and godchildren (initiated and uninitiated) who come together to pray, to learn, and to perform ceremonies.

c. What is the relationship between Babalawos and Santeros?

Babalawos are diviners and herbalists who are priests of Orumila/Ifa who do not become possessed by Orisha and play a meditating role in Lucumi practice.

Some houses (iles) in Lucumi have a close working relationship with Babalawos and others do not.

d. What are the different levels in the religion?

Oluwo - A Babalawo (priest of Ifa) who has also been initiated to a specific Orisha

Oba/Oriate A priest highly trained in cowry shell divination who also functions as a Master of ceremonies for ritual

Iyalorishas and Babalorishas - priests who have initiated godchildren

Oloshas - priests who have not initiated godchildren

Omo Aña - A fraternity of male priests dedicated to playing the sacred Aña drums (fundamento bata)

Akpwon - an expert in ritual songs who leads the singing in ritual drumming and ceremonies

Iyawos - initiates in their first year (see Iyawo section)

Aborisha (sometimes called aleyos) non- priest members of an ile

e. What tasks do people in the religion do, or skills do they learn/utilize?

The Lucumi community is extremely diverse, and since the religion is not practiced in isolation, the community requires a variety of skills.

Crafting of articles for initiations or other functions:

Clothing makers, Throne/altar builders, Potters, Blacksmiths/iron workers - Woodworkers and carvers, mask makers Silver and goldsmiths

The Kitchen: Cooks who are skilled in preparing foods presented to Orisha as well as cooking for large numbers of people. Pluckers, pot scrubbers, coconut openers, peelers, shredders and graters (kitchen prep)

Musicians: singers, drummers, shekere and bell/hoe players.

Scholars, historians. writers, & illustrators

Herbalists and botanists: Herbalists in Lukumi are called "osainistas", they work with the Orisha Osain, and have a knowledge of herbs used for healing and cleansings.

Diviners: There are several different divination systems within Lukumi. The simplest is done with Obi (coconut). Experienced diviners use dillogun (shells) or if they are Ifa priests, they use ikin (kola nut)

4. IYAWOS - BRIDES OF THE ORISHA

a. What is a Iyawo?

A recently initiated priest. Iyawo means “bride of the Orisha”

b. Why is he/she wearing all white ?

For the first year Iyawos are spiritually vulnerable and wear white to repel negativity, as a symbol of purity and to bear witness to the community at large that they have been initiated to the priesthood.

c. Why can’t Iyawos take pictures?

They are to avoid all manifestations of vanity. This includes avoiding looking in mirrors for a specific part of the Iyawo year. Make-up, and perfumes are also forbidden during the year in white.

d. Why can’t I touch a Iyawo?

Because they pick up other peoples’ energy.

e. Why are they eating on the floor?

The Iyawo is considered to be a baby - since initiation is considered to be the “birth” of a new priest. Consequently Iyawos sit on the floor, are waited upon and do not eat with a knife or fork - only using a spoon or fingers.

f. If I'm married, do I have to give up sex with my partner during my Iyawo year?

No.

g. What taboos do you have to observe during your Iyawo year?

They vary depending upon the specific divination received during initiation. Iyawos do not drink alcoholic beverages, try to avoid being out at night (unless their job requires it) and wear white clothing. Other prohibitions are specific to Odu.

f. What do I do if my job has problems with me dressing in white?

Discuss this with your godparents. Most Iyawos who hold jobs that require a uniform wear the uniform, but change into whites as soon as they get home from work

5. QUESTIONS ABOUT LUKUMI PRACTICE

a. What taboos are practiced in Lukumi?

Taboos in Lukumi come from a variety of sources - some are cultural (influenced by African retentions or diffused into Lukumi from Catholicism), some are related to an Odu of divination received by a specific person, others are gender related, and a few are universal.

Few Lukumi will ever dress completely in black clothing - since black attracts negativity.

Cremation is a burial taboo

Women don’t play Aña fundamento drums

There are numerous food taboos - some related to food that are served to Orisha (like no salt in food for Obatala) and others related to Odu (example - not eating hot spicy foods)

b. Why do you have taboos?

Because everything is a way of increasing or decreasing ache - and Odu can indicate things that will be detrimental to your ache, just as it can indicate things that will enhance your ache

c. What is ache?

Ache is a Yoruba concept for power and divine grace

d. Why do you sacrifice animals?

The ritual sacrifice of animals, though important, has been blown out of proportion by the media, and is not the main focus of Lukumi ceremonies. The animals are consecrated offerings, made sacred for communal meals, which are shared with the ancestors and Orisha. This is similar to Jewish kosher meat (ritually slaughtered) or Islamic halal meats.

e. Do you sacrifice people?

No.

f. What is possession?

Possession is a state of being in which the conscious self is suppressed in order to allow for the entry of the divine.

Some priests and even non-initiates may become possessed, but it is not a requirement for initiation. Possession takes place to allow direct communication between Orisha and worshippers. A person who has the demonstrated capacity to be possessed is called a “horse”(caballo), mount or “subidor”.

g. Why do you burn candles?

A candle is a prayer in light - and represents the presence of the divine. We light them to open ritual Orisha spaces and for the ancestors.

h. Why must women wear skirts?

There are traditional gender roles in the religion. Female Orishas are portrayed in skirts and male Orishas in pants and this tradition has been continued, even though in secular settings priests are free to wear what they choose, out of respect for the tradition, we honor the ancestral dress code.

i. Why do you wear beads, (elekes, collares)? What do the beads mean?

The multi-colored bead necklaces represent the energies of the Orishas, and are consecrated. They provide spiritual protection for the wearer - and also serve to identify co-religionists

j. Do you have to wear those bracelets?

The bracelets (ides or manillas) are like the beads (elekes) - they represent different Orishas and are consecrated.

k. Why can't I touch your necklaces (elekes)?

Because they are sacred.

l. How do you talk or pray to Orishas?

We say many types of prayers, called Oriki and for us song is also prayer as is dance.

m. Can Orishas understand me if I speak English?

Orishas understand the language of the heart.

6. DIVINATION/READINGS

a. What is Lukumi divination?

Lukumi’s use three types of divination; merindilogun (16 cowry shells), divination with Obi coconut , and Babalawos divine with palm nuts (ikin) and the divining chain (okuele).

b. What is the difference between get a reading from a Santero, Italero (Oriate), and a reading from a Babalawo?

Santeros and Italeros use 16 cowries. There are some Odu that can only be read/interpreted by Babalawos using ikin (palm nuts) or the divining chain.

c. Do I have to join to get a reading?

No. Diviners see clients who are not Aborisha.

d. How do I select a person to give me a reading?

Try to get a referral from someone with experience in the religion who can recommend a qualified diviner.

e. What does it cost?

The cost varies - usually a preliminary 16 cowry reading is 21 dollars (East coast), 50 dollars (west coast). Babalawo’s readings may be more costly.

f. What is ebo?

Ebo is an offering to the Orishas -it may be cooked food, flowers, fruits, or an animal. Ebos are usually marked in a divination session.

g. Why do I have to do an ebo?

You don’t HAVE to do anything - but if you have gone to a reading and received advice on how to rectify a situation,, and an ebo is marked - why not complete the process?

h. Who will do one for me if I’m not a member?

The person who marked the Ebo for you

i. How do I find out my guardian Orisha?

Unless you are planning to become a member, the Orisha who is your guardian is Obatala - the owner of all heads. Once you have joined, and found godparents, when it is deemed necessary your guardian Orisha is determined by divination, either with cowry shells, or by Babalawos in a session called a “plante”.

7. QUESTIONS ABOUT JOINING THE LUKUMI FAITH

a. Who can join? Can only Hispanics and African-Americans join?

Depending on the ile - some are predominantly African-American or Afro-Caribbean, others predominantly Spanish speaking - but many iles these days are multi-cultural.

b. Do I have to speak/learn Spanish?

It helps to learn some Spanish if you are going to participate in the larger community.

c. Do I have to speak/learn Yoruba?

No. You will learn to speak some Lukumi, because many aspects of the liturgy and ritual are in Lukumi/Yoruba dialect, as are all the songs. There are practitioners who have learned Yoruba, as spoken in Nigeria - but Orishas understand all languages.