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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:
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:
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:
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: Articles and features:
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