| My seven cents...
History of the Lucumi religion...
Slaves from Africa were brought to the new world by the
thousands during the period of XVI-XIX centuries. These
slaves came mainly from the south-western coastal region of
Africa; region in were the nations of the Yorubas, Arara and
Lucumi dwelled. These africans were strong, clever, highly
independent, hard working beings, who were very _religious_.
Among the many brought to the new world there were artisans,
musicians, and most important: priests, doctors, and
sorcerers; who were three independent clases often confused
as being the same thing. Priests were in charge of the
religious life of the nation; doctors took care of the
health of the members of his nation and the sorcerers were a
kind of "owtlaw priests" who always lived outside of the
villages, that is, in the jungle. Priests and doctors work
in common accord; the doctor took care of the physical and
the priest took care of the spiritual. The sorcerer offered
his services for any purpose: for good or for evil. Being to
perform evil that his services were most often look. The
male sorcerer was called "Kimbiambus Sua-Musu" and female
sorcerers were called "Kimbiambus Sua-Kai". Priests were
called "Oluoboricha" or "Omoricha", and the high priest
"Babalocha".
Secret societies were a very important part of the life of
these people (even today) Men formed hunting, fishing and
artisans societies in were the art of each was taught. Women
belong to those societies that taught the arts of becoming
good wifes, cooks, etc.. There was also religious oriented
secret societies, whose members were only Orichas and
Babalochas. The sorceres also formed and promoted secret
societies .
These nations lived very close to the coast, for fishing and
hunting game was ample, and also because they felt protected
from the atacks of several other warrior nations that lived
inland.
But then, the white men came...the rest is history...
The africans who were brought to (what is now) the
Caribbean, Central and South America were very lucky, in a
sense. Here they found almost an identical weather, flora
and similar fauna, that enable them to quickly adapt to
their own ways of living. And is at this point that the
story of "Santeria" begins...
Catholicism was forced on them. They had no choice, it was
submision or certain death...so they yield...aparently. For
them similarities among the catholic way of worship and
their own became quite obvious. When catholic priests spoke
of Jesus they saw "Olofin"; when they spoke of God they saw
"Olordumare"; when they spoke of the Holy Spirit they saw
"Baba Nkwa"...and so it was with the rest of the Catholic
Saints...
The religion of this people was organized in a very similar
way (strikingly similar I must say) as that of the Greeks
of two thosands years ago. These orichas (saints) have
qualities and atributes the same as man (antrophormic type
of religion).
In Cuba and some portions of the Caribbean this religion is
known as "Santeria" or roughly translated to english "The
Religion of the Saints". In Haiti is known as "Voudu" or
"Vudu" or in english "Voo-Doo". In Brasil is "Macumba" and
in the lesser antilles "Candomble". These differences in
naming this religion has it roots in history itself...
Spain, Portugal and France were the commanding colonizing
nations of this portion of the new world. Spain colonized
Puerto Rico, Santo Domingo, Cuba, Mexico and some other
countries of Central and South America. Portugal did the
same with Brazil, and some of the Lesser Antilles. France
colonized Haiti, Guyana and also some of the Lesser
Antilles.
The "slave hunting ground" for Spain, France and Portugal as
mentioned before was the south-western coast of Africa.
However, they avoided as much as posible each other, so they
not only "captured" african slaves who belong to different
African Nations, but after capture and in order to survive,
the slaves learned and adapted the languages of their
captors.
More significant is the fact that the late involvement of
white men in this traditionaly Africans only religion,
helped to shape santeria to what it is today (all types of
santeria including the sorcery oriented ones).
Lets ilustrate this ...
In any year of the late XIX century...
The only son of a Powerfull Plantation owner becomes sick.
He sends for the doctor, but he is at two days travel
distance from his estate. His son is dying...
The slave servant cook knows who can help him. He has been a
good master, so she decides to aproach him with the posible
solution...
He thinks; but there is nothing to think about; his son will
die before the doctor reaches the house, so he aproves...
The local Babalocha knows what can cure the boy, so he to
the mountain and picks some herbs. He boiles them, and
procceded to treat the boy...
By the time the doctor arrives, the boy is eating and
drinking well. The doctor is amazed; he knew that what the
illness of the boy had no cure, but here he is; alive and
becoming well.
The master is so gratefull, that he decides to further
investigate about this miraculous cure and of his
benefactor. He finds that he is a high priest of the
religions of this yorubas, and that they had been practicing
it for years, hiden during the nights, for if the local
eclesiastical authorities find out, the wouldn't hesitate in
killing the "heretics", not before tortureing them for
saving their "soul" (and of course to find who else was also
involved).
So the master "diggs deeper"...
*
In other case...
The owner of this big farm is in trouble. He had lost most
of his capital gambling; worst yet, he gambled his estate
and lost ! soon the new owner wold be coming to take
posesion of what now was his...
His slave servant was worried, he new the soon to be
owner, and he was a very bad man. He punished his slaves for
no reason at all and many times just killed them. He knew
who could help his master...so he tells him.
There is nothing to lose; all there is, is already lost, so
he follows his servant to this particular section of the
slaves house. He din't remeber this particular portion of
it. There he is interviwed by this strange and misterious
"slave"...When the interview is over this "slave" tells him
not to worry; he will take care of his "problem"...
Two days pass, and he receives the "Bad" news The man he
just gambled with some days ago died while eating his
breakfast that morning. The doctor certified he died of a
heart attack...
He couldn't believe it; a young healthy man like that !!! it
must have been the "work" of that "slave" a went to see. So
he decides to see him again. He find that the other slaves
called this one "Kimbiambu Sua-Kai" and he has this
"society...
***
Santeria, Vudu, Macumba and Candomble are just different
names for the "same" religion, which is also called "The
Lucumi Religion" or "Yoruba Religion". This is in reference
to the two African Nations from where most of the slaves
came from. Lucumi and Yoruba are not only names of African
Nations (I am using "nation" instead of "tribe" because
during this historical period they were actually "nations")
but are also the name of the language spoken by them. There
is also another name by which Santeria is referred to: "The
Society of Ocha" (Ocha means Saint in lucumi) but it is not
widely used.
Today, Nigeria occupies the original territory of the
Lucumis and Yorubas, and there, the sacred city of Ife. In
Ife the Santeros can find several holy places, and
descendants of great Babalochas of the past; even
descendants of Ochas' (saints).
Now, on the "teology" of Santeria...
In the Yoruba religion gods "work" to cure the sick, to
foretell the future, solve conflicts, remedy tough
situations, join marriages and to reconcile enemies. They
perform "miracles" _very_ hard to explain but indeniable in
its effect. So the true Santero "works" only good...but what
about those who call themselves Santeros and do mustly evil?
Well, lets' go back to history...
Among the slaves brought to the new world there were some
african sorcerers who found an excellent ground amidst the
thousands of slaves in the colonies in where to exploit
their abilities. They were feared in Africa and they also
became feared in the new world. It was very easy for them to
find followers and recruit pupils among these opressed
people. So both the societies of sorcery and Santeria
evolved in a parallel way and eventualy some of these
societies "blended" into one, giving birth to the many
variations of Santeria of today. Regretfully the vast
majority of Santeros of today practise this variation of the
Lucumi religion...
Ocha in lucumi means "Saint", but in Haiti is "Loa" and in
Brasil is Macun. The interaction of the adept with the Ocha
is the basic unit of Santeria. It is thru this interaction
that the santero is able to work. As a general rule, the
"Illaguos" (or novice) only "makes" (godfathers him) one
Ocha who becomes his principal deity of action. This happens
after the Orichas (Saints, in plural) are consulted by the
Babalao as to whom is the Ocha that this Ilaguao
(aprentice, initiated )is entitled to. Later,as the Illaguao
becomes a Santero he may request permission (from his Ocha)
to "make" more Orichas.
The personal power a Santero develops is known as "Ache",
and in order to develop it he must follow all rules and
guidelines of his Ocha, and of any other Oricha he may use.
Every Ocha has his own set of rules; rules and atributes
that touches almost every aspect life. He has his own
colors, foods, beverages, animals, etc.. When doing
ritualistic work, close attention has to be paid to follow
the hierarchical order of the Orichas; that is, the santero
has to begin any work by doing those rituals belonging to
the most important of the Orichas he is working with and
procced following their hierarchy as related to one
another. To give you an idea, lets' see this Yoruba "tree of
life"...:-)
Olordumare
(Supreme God)
^
. .
. .
. .
. .
Obatala Oduduwa
(The most pure creator) ( First king of the earth,
. Ile Ife)
Yemaya Argayu
(Mother of 16 Orichas) ( Husband of Yemaya)
. .
Orumila Chango
(Fortuneteller son of ( Fourth king of the Yoruba
Yemaya) . Nation, master of fire,
. son of Yemaya)
. .
Ogun Osun
(master of iron, laborious ( Guardian, son of Yemaya)
son of Yemaya) . .
. .
Oshosi Ochun
(Hunter son of Yemaya) ( Master of the river and
. of money, Daughter of
. Yemaya)
. .
Oya Olokun
(Master of storm) ( Goddess of the sea,
. Daughter of Yemaya)
. .
. .
. .
. .
Iku
(Death)
Note: The above chart is not a fixed one; It will vary
depending on the type of santeria practised.
The Orichas not only manifest themselves to the Santero by
"riding" him. Several other means are at hand. Their
favorite is the use of the shells "Medilogun" and another is
four pieces of coconut, "Obi". But methods are similar:
after complying with the necesary rituals (more on rituals
later) the Santero rolls the Shells in the floor are
interpret their positions and how many are upright etc., the
four pieces of coconuts are used in the same way as the
shells. This methods can be used for talking with the
Orichas (saints) or for fortune telling. For fortune telling
there is another recourse, rather unknown: the use of
dominoes. In Africa they had a game which played a lot like
dominoes "quenken", and the numbered pieces were used for
divination. For efective oral comunication, the santero must
speak to the Ocha in his vernacular: Yoruba or Lucumi. He
can speak to the Ocha in other language if he doesn't know
well yoruba or lucumi but this will diminish the Ache
(power) in the work. The orichas all have their own
personality and traits which becomes manifested thru the
santero during the periods were the ocha is riding him.
When various orichas are to be consulted, all rituals and
ceremonials must follow a strict hierarchical order, from
the most important of the orichas in question to the lowest
in rank. This is of utmost importance is the work is to be
efective. Besides, ochas are somewhat touchy and if one
becomes offended the Santero will have some _minor_
problems. The Santero is also called to refrain from eating
some of the foods belonging to his principal Ocha. This is
to show respect and devotion for him. Also clothing becomes
affected; the santero should dress acording to the rules of
his Ocha or the orichas he may be working with. The Ocha and
the santero develops a father-son type of relation.
All of the organized religions have some type of sacred
writings, and The religion of the Lucumis is no exception.
Their tales or "Patakies" are writings that ilustrate all of
the different aspects of the Yoruba religion. Actually in
Latin-america just 16 of this patakies are more or less
studied (from the thousands originally there exists). The
un-written compendium of this patakies is known as "Ifa". So
patakies are stories with a moral-spiritual message or
lesson.
When an Illawao is initiated, the one who has directed the
ceremonial, the Omoricha (priest) or Babalocha (High priest)
becomes the godfather of the new santero, that is if he
doesn't already has a sponsor who has agreed to become his
godfather. His duties are those of a guide and counselor
helping him in his journey.
When differences of dogma or complaints among santeros
happen, a "Cabildo" (kind of meeting, gathering) is called
by the omorichas or Babalaos. These are presided by the
oldest Babalocha, Omorichas and any others Babalochas
interested in the Cabildo. All differences are settled here.
Sometimes Santeria ceremonials call for offerings and
animal sacrifices. These animal sacrifices are just a
demonstration of respect for the Ocha in question. It has
its origin in a very interesting pataki which I will try to
post here later during the week. Some people see this
tradition as "Barbaric" and in turn label santeria
practitioners as barbaric iliterate people. But those are
the same people who conveniently forget about the
"Holocausts" made to please Yave by his choosen people in
the old testament. Practitioners of santeria do more or less
the same thing (just a few thousands years after them :-) )
Santeria today is not only a religion; its a brotherhood
with a rich legacy of myths and legends as the teaching
media for its adepts. True Santeros are scarce; santeria has
not only suffered the fusion with such un-welcome guests,
The societies of the sorcerers, but also it has suffered the
influx of un-worthly people in its ranks. People who had
desecrated santeria, as they had done with everything else,
looking for ways to exploit it comercialy...and regretfully
successeding..
So by now it should be more or less clear that Santeria,
Brujeria (this is witchcraft in spanish but sorcery in
english is more correct) is not the same thing. Althrough
the great majority of santeros today practise a Santeria
highly tainted with sorcery, True Santeria still exists.
Following is a very interesting pataki...
(edited from the book _El Santo_ "The Saint", secrets of the
Lucumi Religion by Julio Garcia Cortez)
In the begining...
There was no man, no beasts, no heaven, no earth...just God,
who is called "Olordumare Nzame" and the three spirits who
constitue him: Olordumare Nzame (God), Olofin Mbere (Jesus)
and Baba Nkwa (the Holy Spirit).
He wanted to create this planet, so he formed a blazing
nebulae, but seeing that it didn't hold in space, he
discharge his breath (transformed in water) extinguishing
it. He then created the sun "Agallu" and the moon "Nana
Burucu", for the Agallu to light the day and Nana Burucu to
give him respite during the night...Eons pased and then
trees, plants and herbs were born and he called them
"Ozain". The majestic mountain ranges were called "Icole"...
But the original fire wasn't extinguished at all; it was
buried and looking to come out it choose a mountain called
"Oke", and the center of the world from it came was
"Oroi|a". Olordumare Nzame created all that there is...
After finishing, Olordumare called Olofin Mbere and Baba
Nkwa to show them with great satisfaction his masterpiece.
-"If it's alright ?"- He asked them.
-"Yes",- they replied. -"You did something very well done."-
-"Do you believe there's something else to be done ?"-
-"We see big and beautifull animals; we see many plants, but
we don't see the master of all this created by you"-
Olordumare agreed, so at first he choosed the following: the
elefant because of his wisdom, the tiger because of his
strenght, and the monkey because of his cleverness and
quickness...But he wasn't satisfied so the three of them,
Olordumare, Olofin and Baba decided to create a creature
similar to them. They formed him from mud and gave him their
atributes: inteligence by Olordumare, dexterity and strenght
by Olofin and beauty by Baba.
After doing this all three proclaimed:-"Occupy this land,
from now on you will be the master of all this; as us, you
are the owner of all that is alive and your own life will be
eternal; you will never die and everything will worship
you"-. They returned to heaven and named this new creature
"Omo Oba Alle"...
Time passed by, and Omo seeing that all creatures worshiped
him, became Selfish and arrogant. He used to say:-"Maybe
there is a God in heaven, but down here I am God !!!"-. One
day Olordumare heard this a speaking very loud said:-"WHO
DARES TO SPEAK LIKE THAT IN THE WORLD ?"-
-"Find it yourself"- replied with insolence Omo.
-"Again, who speaks like that"- insisted Olordumare.
-"Well...it is I, so what ?"-
Olordumare didn't bothered to answer, but full of anger
he called "Nzalam", the fiery star and said:
-"Nzalam, come here !"-
Nzalam came making much noise...
-"Boom... boom... boom... what it is you wish Olordumare
Nzame ?"-
-"Go down to earth and let no thing there to exist !!!"-
So Nzalam burn everything over the face of the earth,
even Omo cought fire, but being that He was inmortal he
didn't die; he just ran away and hide in the center of the
earth. He changed his name to "Olosi" (the devil) and even
today he is known by this name. He still come out to fight
Olordumare, seeking men that want to follow him.
*********
After many years, Olordumare rebuilted Earth and decided
again to give her a master, someone to govern. But this
time Baba sugested, that he should make him mortal, so as to
know the power of Olordumare...
-"Lets make another man" said Baba, "But he must know death,
so that he will be conscious of your power"-
-"Let it be !!" said Olordumare, "let him have a body as
before, but now Olofin you will live in his spirit and his
body should perish, but in your spirit he will live eternal
life"-
-"And how should we call him?"-
-"He will be called Olofin Sekume, and won't live alone, we
will give him a woman in were the spirit of Baba will live
and she will be called Obatala-Baba Mbonwe"-.
After conceiving Sekume and Mbonwe, he divided them in
two parts: the exterior part of the body Gnoul, and the part
belonging to Olofin and Baba, called Egun Nsissim, that can
be seen as the shadow, being the shadow and Egun Nsissim the
same. It is Nsissim who sustains life in Gnoul, and it is
Nsissim who abandons the body after death reuniting with
Olofin and Baba to become one again.
****************
Do you know were lives Nsissim ?...no ?...well, I'll tell
you, it is in the eyes !!! That small shining light we all
have in the eyes !!!
****************
Sekume and Mbonwe lively happily everafter and had three
sons: the first one Nkoure (somewhat stupid and bad), the
second Bakale (who didn't think much and was lazzy) and the
last one Meferefun (very good and inteligent).
They had many sons and scattered all over the world.
Olosi tempted them constantly and he convinced many to join
him.
Men didn't knew how to govern themselves because they
had no laws. Seeing this, Olofin one day called them all and
spoke:
-"From now on these are the laws you all should know and
obey if you want to live in the village I have in heaven:
1- You won't steal from each other.
2- You won't kill he who doesn't harm you, nor the
animals you don't need for living.
3- You won't eat human flesh.
4- You will not wish anything from your neighbor; nor
women, nor cattle, nor estate. What you wish you
must earn by your own effort.
5- You will not curse my name.
6- You will respect your parents.
7- You will leave in peace with your brothers.
8- You will not ask for more of the things I will give
you and you will agree with your destiny in the
world.
9- You will not fear death, but you will not look for
it by your own hands.
10- You will transmit my commandments to your sons and
they to theirs.
11- And finally, that my laws be respectect, otherwise
you will know my punishment.
Go now in peace to your villages; those who follow my
mandates will receive my benediction, those who hear Olosi
will receive their due payment"-
In this way fininshed the Lord of the Heavens...
Olordumare after finishing all this, went deep into space
and created other worlds. However in the things concerning
earth is Olofin who decides; he is his special delegate.
****************
- Icu Orumila Babalocha -
Yoruba proverb: "He who doesn't know dies, but not he who
does"
JSR:.
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