Santeria: Yoruba Tradition (Closed - Educational Context)

BY NICOLE LAU

⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTICE: This article is for EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. Santería (also called Lucumí or Regla de Ocha) is a CLOSED PRACTICE and initiatory RELIGION. You CANNOT practice Santería without formal initiation by legitimate priests (santeros/santeras). This article exists to foster understanding, combat stereotypes, and promote respect—not to provide instructions for practice.

Understanding the Name: Santería and Lucumí

The religion is known by several names:

Santería: Spanish for "way of the saints." This name emerged during slavery when practitioners disguised Yoruba orishas as Catholic saints to avoid persecution. While widely used, some practitioners prefer other terms.

Lucumí: Refers to the Yoruba people and language in Cuba. Many practitioners prefer this term as it honors African roots.

Regla de Ocha: "Rule of the Orisha." Another respectful term emphasizing the religion's focus on orisha worship.

This article uses "Santería" as it's most widely recognized, while acknowledging that practitioners may prefer other terms.

What This Article Is and Is Not

This Article IS:

• Educational content about Yoruba-Cuban religion and culture
• An explanation of why Santería is closed to outsiders
• A resource for understanding initiatory religions
• A call to respect Afro-Cuban and Yoruba communities
• An effort to combat harmful stereotypes

This Article IS NOT:

• Permission for non-initiates to practice Santería
• A guide to working with orishas
• An invitation to "learn" Santería from books or online
• A suggestion that you can practice "respectfully" without initiation
• A resource for eclectic or solitary practice

Understanding Santería: A Living Religion

What Santería Actually Is

Santería is an Afro-Cuban religion that blends:

• Yoruba religious traditions from West Africa (primarily Nigeria)
• Catholic elements (adopted during slavery for protection)
• Indigenous Taíno influences (to a lesser extent)
• Cuban cultural elements

It is:

• A complete religious system with theology, ethics, and cosmology
• An initiatory tradition requiring formal ceremonies
• A community-based practice with priests, priestesses, and godchildren
• A living tradition practiced by millions, primarily in Cuba and the diaspora
• A religion recognized and protected by law in many countries

Historical Context: Slavery, Survival, and Syncretism

The Transatlantic Slave Trade: Yoruba people from what is now Nigeria were enslaved and brought to Cuba. Despite brutal attempts to erase their culture, they preserved their religious practices.

Catholic Camouflage: To practice their religion safely, enslaved Yoruba people associated their orishas (deities) with Catholic saints. This wasn't abandoning their religion but protecting it.

Example: Changó (orisha of thunder and fire) was associated with Santa Bárbara, allowing practitioners to worship Changó while appearing to honor a Catholic saint.

Post-Slavery Development: After slavery ended, Santería continued to evolve in Cuba, maintaining Yoruba core while incorporating Cuban elements. It became a distinct Afro-Cuban tradition.

Diaspora Spread: Cuban migration, especially after the 1959 revolution, spread Santería to the United States, Puerto Rico, and other countries.

Why Santería Is a Closed Practice

It's an Initiatory Religion

Santería requires formal initiation to practice. There are multiple levels:

Elekes (Collares): Receiving sacred beaded necklaces representing specific orishas. This is the first initiation, establishing a relationship with the orishas.

Warriors (Guerreros): Receiving the warrior orishas (Elegguá, Ogún, Ochosi, and Osun) for protection.

Kariocha (Making Santo/Ocha): Full initiation as a priest/priestess (santero/santera). This is a week-long ceremony where the initiate is "crowned" with their tutelary orisha.

Further Initiations: Additional ceremonies for specific roles (like becoming a babalawo/ifa priest for men).

You CANNOT practice Santería without these initiations. There is no "solitary Santería" or "self-initiation."

It Requires Community and Lineage

Santería is practiced within a religious family (ilé) led by a godparent (padrino/madrina). This structure provides:

• Proper training and guidance
• Accountability and ethical oversight
• Legitimate lineage back to Africa
• Community support and ritual participation
• Protection from spiritual dangers

Working with orishas without proper initiation and guidance is considered spiritually dangerous.

It Belongs to Specific Communities

Santería is Afro-Cuban cultural and spiritual heritage. While people of any race can be initiated (if called by the orishas and accepted by a legitimate priest), this requires:

• Genuine calling from the orishas (determined through divination)
• Years of relationship-building with a community
• Significant financial and time commitment
• Respect for Afro-Cuban culture and traditions
• Understanding that you're entering someone else's tradition as a guest

Casual interest or "feeling drawn" to orishas is NOT the same as being called to initiation.

What You Should Know (For Educational Understanding)

The following information is provided to foster understanding—NOT for practice.

The Orishas: Yoruba Deities

Santería recognizes one supreme creator (Olodumare/Olofi) who is distant. Practitioners interact with orishas—divine beings who govern aspects of nature and human life.

Major Orishas (Educational Overview):

Elegguá: Orisha of crossroads, opportunities, and communication. Opens and closes paths. Must be greeted first in all ceremonies. Associated with St. Anthony or the Holy Child of Atocha. Colors: red and black.

Obatalá: Orisha of wisdom, purity, and peace. Father of humanity. Associated with Our Lady of Mercy. Color: white.

Yemayá: Orisha of the ocean, motherhood, and fertility. Mother of all orishas. Associated with Our Lady of Regla. Colors: blue and white.

Ochún: Orisha of rivers, love, beauty, and prosperity. Associated with Our Lady of Charity (Cuba's patron saint). Colors: yellow and gold.

Changó: Orisha of thunder, lightning, fire, and dance. Warrior and king. Associated with Santa Bárbara. Colors: red and white.

Oyá: Orisha of winds, storms, and cemeteries. Warrior and guardian of the dead. Associated with Our Lady of Candelaria. Colors: maroon and various.

Ogún: Orisha of iron, war, and labor. Patron of workers and technology. Associated with St. Peter or St. John the Baptist. Colors: green and black.

Important Note: Each orisha has complex characteristics, paths (caminos), and specific protocols. This brief overview cannot capture their depth and should not be used for practice.

Santería Practices (Educational Overview)

Divination: Using cowrie shells (dilogún) or the Table of Ifá to communicate with orishas and receive guidance. Only initiated priests can divine.

Offerings (Addimú/Ebó): Food, drink, and items offered to orishas according to their preferences. Must be done correctly to be effective and safe.

Ceremonies (Tambores/Bembes): Drumming ceremonies where orishas may possess initiated priests, speaking and dancing through them.

Spiritual Cleansings (Limpiezas): Removing negative energy or spiritual attachments. Must be performed by initiated priests.

Initiation Ceremonies: Complex, multi-day rituals requiring multiple priests, specific materials, and extensive preparation.

What Santería Is NOT

"Witchcraft" or "Magic": Santería is a religion, not a magical practice you can pick up from books.

"Dark" or "Evil": Like any religion, Santería has ethics and morality. It's not about cursing people or "black magic."

"New Age" or "Eclectic": Santería has specific traditions, protocols, and requirements. It's not open to personal interpretation or mixing with other practices.

Something You Can Learn Online: Legitimate knowledge is transmitted through initiation and apprenticeship, not books or websites.

The Harm of Appropriation and Misinformation

Common Forms of Appropriation

• Non-initiates claiming to "work with" orishas
• Selling "Santería" products or services without initiation
• Writing books about Santería without proper credentials
• Teaching "Santería" classes or workshops without initiation
• Using orisha imagery for aesthetic or commercial purposes
• Mixing Santería with other practices eclectically
• Claiming to be "called" by orishas without seeking proper initiation

Why This Causes Harm

• Disrespects Afro-Cuban and Yoruba communities
• Perpetuates colonial theft of Black spiritual practices
• Spreads misinformation about the religion
• Takes economic opportunities from legitimate priests
• Can be spiritually dangerous (working with orishas improperly)
• Erases the African roots and cultural context
• Contributes to ongoing marginalization of Afro-Cuban religion

What Non-Initiates Should Do Instead

1. If You Feel Genuinely Called

If you believe the orishas are calling you:

• Seek out a legitimate santero/santera in your area
• Request a reading (consulta) to determine if you're truly called
• Be prepared for the answer to be "no" or "not yet"
• Understand that initiation requires years of commitment and significant resources
• Respect that being called doesn't mean you're entitled to practice without initiation
• Never attempt to work with orishas on your own

2. Support Afro-Cuban Communities

• Support Cuban and Afro-Cuban businesses and organizations
• Learn about Cuban history and ongoing struggles
• Advocate for religious freedom and against discrimination
• Amplify Afro-Cuban voices and perspectives
• Support legitimate santeros/santeras (if you need their services)

3. Explore Your Own Traditions

Instead of appropriating Santería, explore your own ancestral spiritual practices with depth and respect.

4. Educate Others

When you see Santería appropriation or misinformation:

• Speak up and correct it
• Don't support appropriative businesses or practitioners
• Share accurate information about the religion
• Direct people to legitimate sources and practitioners

Common Myths and Excuses

Myth: "The Orishas Called Me"

Reality: If you genuinely believe this, seek out a legitimate priest for divination. Don't practice on your own. The orishas calling you means seeking proper initiation, not DIY practice.

Myth: "I'm Just Honoring Them"

Reality: Honor means respect. Respect means following the religion's rules, which require initiation for practice.

Myth: "I Read Books About It"

Reality: Santería is an oral, initiatory tradition. Books (especially by non-initiates) cannot teach you the religion. Many contain errors or incomplete information.

Myth: "I'm Part Yoruba/Cuban"

Reality: Heritage doesn't equal initiation. Even people of Yoruba or Cuban descent must be properly initiated to practice.

Myth: "It's Just Working with Deities"

Reality: The orishas are not generic deities you can work with eclectically. They have specific protocols, requirements, and belong to a specific religious context.

How to Recognize Appropriation

Red flags for Santería appropriation:

• Non-initiates claiming to practice Santería or work with orishas
• "Santería" products or services from non-initiated sellers
• Books about Santería by non-initiated authors
• Classes or workshops by non-initiates
• Orisha imagery used for fashion, decor, or aesthetic purposes
• Mixing Santería with other practices ("Santería-inspired" anything)
• Claiming you can learn Santería from books or online
• Offering "orisha readings" or "orisha work" without initiation

A Message to Those of Yoruba or Cuban Heritage

If you have Yoruba or Cuban ancestry and are interested in Santería:

• This may be part of your heritage, but you still need proper initiation
• Seek out legitimate priests in your community or family
• Don't let anyone tell you that your heritage alone gives you access
• Respect the initiatory structure of the religion
• Reclaiming your heritage means doing it properly and respectfully

Conclusion: Initiation Is Not Optional

Santería is not for you if you are not initiated. This is not gatekeeping—it's how the religion works. It is an initiatory tradition that requires formal ceremonies, training, and community.

True respect for Santería means:

• Honoring its initiatory structure
• Not practicing without proper initiation
• Supporting Afro-Cuban communities and legitimate priests
• Combating appropriation and misinformation
• Recognizing it as a legitimate, complex religion

If you feel called to Santería, seek out a legitimate priest for guidance. If you're not called, respect the boundaries and explore your own traditions. Either way, never attempt to practice Santería without proper initiation.

This article is part of our Respectful Cultural Education series. Third article in the series.