ABOUT SANTERIA

HISTORY AND ORIGIN OF SANTERIA

The Yoruba Tribe in Nigeria Africa is the origin of the Lucumi Religion.  The Lucumi Religion is based on a Supreme Being known as Oluddumare.  He is responsible for creating the Universe and the first Oricha – Obatala.  That is why Obatala is known as the Father of the Orichas.

Because of its primitive origins the Lucumi religion associates all of the Orichas with nature and the forces of the universe.  Each Oricha reigns over one such natural forces.  The slave trade brought the Lucumi Religion to the Western Hemisphere and in some countries it was synchretized with the Catholic Religion and that is the origin of Santeria as it is practiced today.

There are seven major Orichas in Santeria.  There are many Patakies or stories surrounding them as each of the Orichas have different paths and forms that represent different stages of their lives.

The principal Orichas are:

Obatala – All wisdom and Father of all Orichas

Yemaya – Goddess of the Sea

Ochun – Goddess of the Rivers and fresh water

Chango – God of thunder

Oya – Goddess of the wind

Eleggua – God of the Roads

Oggun – God of metals

The Lucumi Religion is full of mysteries and though there are many that study it deeply and for many years only some get to master it completely.  However, once a person is initiated in Santeria it becomes an essential part of their lives.  It is passed down from generation to generation and it has survived through the centuries.