Religion Of Santeria
The rapidly growing religion of Santeria has been around for 400 years with an astonishing membership that is estimated to be at about 100,000,000 followers. Because of its secretive nature, many outsiders possess little to no knowledge of its existence.
Despite the fact that younger onlookers are particularly attracted to Santeria for its “cool edginess”, it is actually a very spiritual and highly religious way of life.
II. What is Santeria?
A. Structure
1. Beliefs
Three ways of Santeria
Within Santeria, stand three basic approaches to the world of the spirits: the way of values, the way of power, and the way of order
(1) First, with the way of values, the spirits of the dead are sought to provide power to accomplish things, or ashé, …show more content…
Gods/saints, priests, etc.
a) Gods
The structure of the Yoruba gods closely resembles those of the ancient Greeks. The deities are known as orishas and later on received Roman Catholic names. The orishas are similar to the Greek dieties, in that, though divine, they would act as ill-behaved humans. A main doctrine of Santeria is that each person has an orisha that rules over them, even if that person never learns which orisha it is, or is not a follower of Santeria.
Like the Greek equivalent of Zeus, or the Christian equivalent of Yahweh, Olodumare is the one supreme god of Santeria. Olodumare is seen as almighty and life’s source. From him all things come from him, and to him all things return. “In a way, the doctrine combines monotheism (a belief in one god) and monism (one supreme being who is the all).” Olodumare is said to be incarnated into the world through "ashé.
Santeria is known as a natural magico-religious system. In fact, each of the orishas possess a natural force, or ashe. This natural power can be given to a worshipper if the orisha desires. Each part of the religion, the rituals and spells, are held in order to get ashe from the orishas. With this all troubles can be solved, enemies destroyed, love obtained, and wealth secured, even through illegal …show more content…
Francis of Assisi.
“Baba means father; awo means divination.” This high priest is said to be the judge of Santeria and is consulted on difficult cases.
Always a male, the Babalawo, uses three different forms of divination to determine what is to be done: the opele, the opon ifa, and the ikin. “All three involve elaborate rites to ascertain the correct means of solving troublesome cases. All three will determine what ebbo, or worship, is to be offered to which orisha”.
c)
Despite the fact that younger onlookers are particularly attracted to Santeria for its “cool edginess”, it is actually a very spiritual and highly religious way of life.
II. What is Santeria?
A. Structure
1. Beliefs
Three ways of Santeria
Within Santeria, stand three basic approaches to the world of the spirits: the way of values, the way of power, and the way of order
(1) First, with the way of values, the spirits of the dead are sought to provide power to accomplish things, or ashé, …show more content…
Gods/saints, priests, etc.
a) Gods
The structure of the Yoruba gods closely resembles those of the ancient Greeks. The deities are known as orishas and later on received Roman Catholic names. The orishas are similar to the Greek dieties, in that, though divine, they would act as ill-behaved humans. A main doctrine of Santeria is that each person has an orisha that rules over them, even if that person never learns which orisha it is, or is not a follower of Santeria.
Like the Greek equivalent of Zeus, or the Christian equivalent of Yahweh, Olodumare is the one supreme god of Santeria. Olodumare is seen as almighty and life’s source. From him all things come from him, and to him all things return. “In a way, the doctrine combines monotheism (a belief in one god) and monism (one supreme being who is the all).” Olodumare is said to be incarnated into the world through "ashé.
Santeria is known as a natural magico-religious system. In fact, each of the orishas possess a natural force, or ashe. This natural power can be given to a worshipper if the orisha desires. Each part of the religion, the rituals and spells, are held in order to get ashe from the orishas. With this all troubles can be solved, enemies destroyed, love obtained, and wealth secured, even through illegal …show more content…
Francis of Assisi.
“Baba means father; awo means divination.” This high priest is said to be the judge of Santeria and is consulted on difficult cases.
Always a male, the Babalawo, uses three different forms of divination to determine what is to be done: the opele, the opon ifa, and the ikin. “All three involve elaborate rites to ascertain the correct means of solving troublesome cases. All three will determine what ebbo, or worship, is to be offered to which orisha”.
c)