Santeria, which means “the way of the saints,” originated in Cuba, and is considered an Afro-Cuban religion. It is also known as La Regla Lucumi and the Rule of Osha. Santeria is a syncretic religion created by the blending of Catholicism and Lucumi religion. This religion has roots in Africa, especially the Yoruba people in southwestern Nigeria. In Santeria, the saints of Catholicism and the comparable orishas of the Yoruba religion, are the same. As the New World was the new forcible home to slaves, Africans brought their Yoruba religious traditions along. They were forced to convert into Christianity and forget their original beliefs by their owners. But the slaves persisted and discovered a way to hide their beliefs with the introduction of Catholicism in Cuba in the 16th century. They disguised their gods/godesses behind the representation of Catholic saints so it would seem that they were praying to the saints, but were actually praying to their gods. The secrecy of practicing rites, prayers, and rituals has then become essential in Santeria. The transatlantic slave trade was responsible for the forced migration of between 12 - 15 million people from Africa to the New World from the middle of the 15th century to the end of the 19th …show more content…
Elegguá is the most important orishia in the entire religion; he controls the crossroads and watcher of fate. Ogún is the master of technology, the power of metal, and a “mighty warrior.” Yeguá symbolizes death. Shangó is the king of Santeria. He rules lightning, passion, thunder and fire; the owner of the sacred batá drums. Shangó is “the master of dance, a fierce warrior and a powerful sorcerer who spits