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Alternative
Religions profiles
History/Founder:
The
origins of the Afro-caribbean sects (Known variously as Vodoun, Santeria/Lukumi,
Candomble, Ifa, Palo Mayombe, etc.) are shrouded in the ancient past.
Most were brought to the Americas by Yoruban slaves, (except for Palo,
which is Bantu) who blended their tribal beliefs with Catholicism, spiritism,
and even native belief. Varieties of Yoruban descended religions are
practiced in almost every country in the world. Most of the examples
given in this guide conform mainly to Santeria/Lukumi beliefs, but there
is a thread of commonality between all of them. The most common of the
syncretic faiths are:
- Santeria
(Lukumi, Regla de Ocha)
- Vodoun
(Voodoo)
- Macumba
(sometimes Quimbanda) and it's branches Umbanda and
Candomble
- Palo
Mayombe
It should
be noted that m any traditions under the African umbrella are NOT
syncretic at all; these include African Vodoun, the spiritual grandparent
of syncretic Haitian and American Voodoos. These parent religions
share many similarities but do not incorporate Catholic traditions
or iconology. To add to the confusion, there are several smaller African
traditions in the Americas which are often wholly seperate from the
syncretic branches. Current
leader/governing body: No central governing bodies. Believers are largely
autonomous, many consider themselves Catholic. (The
legendary Mambo of New Orleans Vodou, Marie Laveau, attended mass
daily) Most have hierarchies of priests/priestesses within individual
traditions.
Number
of Adherents: Numbers vary wildly- it is estimated that seventy percent of Cubans
are Lukumi believers, and followers in the US number in the millions.
Many practicing Catholics are also practitioners of African religions,
and many more, while not adhering to any particular tradition, may
use the services of Priests and Priestesses of these religions.
Clergy:
Priests and priestesses who
fulfill similar duties, depending on the sect:
- Santeria-Santera/Santeros
- Vodoun (Voodoo): Mambos/Houngans
- Macumba
(Umbanda and
Candomble
- Palo
Mayombe: Palero/Paleras
Most
have both male and female elder initiates who perform the function
of clergy in the community. Ascension to these positions is via
initiation only, and only after extensive training. In traditional
African Vodoun, there are lineal priesthoods open only to those
with ancestral
ties. Santeria tends to be somewhat patriarchal; women are prohibited
from attaining the highest level of initiation. On the other
hand, Candomble tends to be matriarchal, preferring women for
high positions.
Requirements
to join: Generally, one must visit a Priest
or Priestess of the faith, who determines your 'Head,'
the Orisha, Loa, etc. who is your patron, via divination.
If an a candidate is accepted, he or she is assigned 'Godparents'
(sponsors who guide the initiate through the process) and
enters an initiation process, which can be very complex.
The ceremony that connects the initiate to his Patron is
often likened to a marriage. Some traditions keep their initiatory
practices secret.
Often, one must follow strict rules of dress, shave
one's head, practice celibacy, or eat certain foods. One often undergoes
baptism by water, a symbolic rebirth, and cleansing rituals meant to
prepare one for receiving the divine energy.
At initiation, one receives symbols or sacred tools.
During the Lukumi/Santeria initiation process, for example, the candidate
receives a series of strands colored beads, called Elekes, sacred
to the Orishas.
Each Orisha
has a separate priesthood, and the secrets of one are seldom known by
another. At the end of the probationary period, the candidate becomes
a Santero/Santera during a large and expensive party known as an Asiento.
The area
where these faiths differ most from one another is in sexuality, race,
and gender taboos and rank. In Santeria, women are forbidden from becoming
Babalawos, and are sometimes restricted from practicing sacrifice, while
in Candomble, women hold the highest positions in the faith, and are
much more likely than men to head congregations. Homosexuality is also
treated in very different ways- some sects of Palo, for example, prohibit
homosexuals from membership, while most sects of Vodou are inclusive.
Race is most often an issue in Vodou, where it has often been controversial.
Many African sects will not initiate whites, while many Haitian and
virtually all American sects are fully inclusive.
Church/temple: Varies, usually space is consecrated outdoors before a ritual. Permanent
temples or compounds, known as Peristyles in Vodoun, are also found in
other branches- in Candomble, they are known as Terreiros.
Scripture:
None, most traditions are oral, and passed from teacher to initiate.
Western books of ritual magick such as Goetia, or the seven books of
Moses, are indispensable in some sects.
Required
observances, dietary restrictions: Vary
widely. Restrictions on dress and food consumption are common during
rituals and while preparing for initiations. Many gatherings prohibit
immodest dress, or the wearing of certain colors. For example, when
one attends a terreiro, one must never wear red and black (unless, of
course, one is attending an invocation of Exu). Some traditions require
ritual sexual abstinence before initiation and on particular days.
Code
of conduct: Believers
are prohibited from Stealing, lying, committing suicide, or dishonoring
their parents. Evil magick is also prohibited.
Basic
teachings and Beliefs: Beliefs
and practices vary widely from sect to sect and tend to be very complex,
but all share some or all of the following traits: Syncretism or associations
between traditional Yoruban or Bantu religion and Roman Catholicism, the
practice of Animal sacrifice and trance possession, spirit mediumship,
sympathetic magic, and elements of medieval Goetic magic and kabbalah.
All of
the sects are Monolatrous, believing that the Gods (Saints,
Orixas, Loas, Nikisi) are all aspects of an unknowable Supreme God.
The deities are considered related but are not necessarily considered
the same deities- the Lukumi Orisha Eleggua, for example, roughly corresponds
to Exu of Candomble, but they are not the same deity. While the list
of deities is similar from one faith to the next, there
are many differences; some deities do not exist in all pantheons.
Notable singular deities are Vodoun's Manman Brigitte, who may be related
to the Celtic goddess Brighid, and Candomble's Nana Buruque.
The seven
main Orishas of Santeria are known collectively as the Seven African
Powers and are:
- Eleggua,
(Elegua, Exu, Eshu, Papa Legba, Papa Le Bas) a trickster/prankster,
God of thresholds and crossroads, and the intercessor between worshippers
and the other Orishas. Exu
is the only intermediary between the other gods and man; his attributes
vary from sect to sect, from prankster to maleific.
- Chango,
(Sango, Xango) a warrior, and the God of Justice, Dance and lightning.
- Oya
(Maman Brigitte)- Goddess of thunder and storms, cemeteries; a warrior
and psychopomp. Wife of Chango.
- Ochun,
(Ocun, Osun, Oxum, Erzulie) Goddess of Rivers and
"sweet" (fresh) waters. A Goddess of love and sensuality.
- Yemaya,
(Yemanja, Iemoja, La Siren) Goddess of the Ocean, motherhood.
- Ogun,
(Oggun, Ogoun, Ogum) a warrior and vegetation God, Lord of the Hunt.
- Obatala,
Father and Chief of the Gods, linked to Oludomare. Creator of the
human race.
Music is
an integral part of worship in all sects. The rhythms of the drums,
chants and songs are all utilized to invoke the Gods/spirits to appearance;
each have their own songs and sacred rhythms. Most temples employ permanent
drummers.
For more
on the Seven
African Powers.
For images
of Orishas and Loas, click
here.
Holidays:
Varies. Most celebrate the Catholic feast days of the
saints.
Symbols: Each Orisha has his or her own symbol. Chango, a double-headed
axe; for Obatala, a crown, Oshun, a mirror, and so on.
For more information on these and other symbols, please see Religious
symbols.
Myths
and misconceptions: Some of
the more gruesome misconceptions are that practitioners commit human sacrifice,
practice Black magic, etc. These things are absolutely prohibited in these
religions- although a Brujo/Bruja
(witch) or Bokor may practice
forbidden or 'dark' magic, they do so without orthodox sanction. When
animal sacrifice, or Ebo, as practiced by these religions, is performed,
every care is made that the death is quick and clean, and the animal is
almost always consumed. (Often, the animal is asked to 'consent' to the
sacrifice) Sacrifices are made to 'feed' the Orishas, not to accumulate
'power' for the magician.
Famous
Adherents: Desi Arnaz, Jennifer Lopez, Whitesox
manager Ozzie Guillen
Related
resources:
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and features:
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