Introduction
Understanding Lucumí or Santería
"Santería" is a popular name, sometimes outside; Lucumí or Regla de Ocha-Ifá are often preferred. The rapprochements between orichas and Catholic saints have protected and transformed the cults, without making the two traditions identical.
The Yorùbá slaves and their descendants have re-created networks of ritual relations in Cuba, especially in the "cabildos".
To be retained
Four essential principles
- "Santería" is a popular name, sometimes outside; Lucumí or Regla de Ocha-Ifá are often preferred.
- The Yorùbá slaves and their descendants have re-created networks of ritual relations in Cuba, especially in the "cabildos".
- Divination determines orientations, forbidden and offerings.
- Lucumí unit destiny, initiation, ancestors and orichas in a transatlantic spiritual family.
Small timeline
A tradition shaped by history
Origins and training
The Yorùbá slaves and their descendants have re-created networks of ritual relations in Cuba, especially in the "cabildos".
Historical developments
The tradition then spread to Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Mexico, the United States and beyond.
Ritual life and teachings
Divination determines orientations, forbidden and offerings.
A living and plural tradition
She talks with Palo, spiritism and Catholicism according to families.
History and development
The Yorùbá slaves and their descendants have re-created networks of ritual relations in Cuba, especially in the "cabildos". The tradition then spread to Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Mexico, the United States and beyond.
She talks with Palo, spiritism and Catholicism according to families.
Worldview, beliefs and practices
The divination determines orientations, prohibitions and offerings. The systems of shelling *dilogún* and d-Ifá do not have the same specialists.
The initiation known as "doing the saint" establishes a lasting relationship with the tutelary oricha and a ritual family. Tambours *batá*, songs, dance, possession, plants, meals and animal sacrifices participate in the circulation of the aché*.
Texts, symbols and transmission
Patakís or narratives, divinatory signs, prayers and songs in liturgical language lucumí. Collars *elekes*, consecrated stones *otanes*, cauris and tools of the orichas are important.
Their use follows initiatory rules.
What research can and cannot say
Animal sacrifices have been the subject of legal controversy; their ritual sense cannot be reduced to cruelty, even if the health rules and the law apply. The analysis must avoid exoticism and recognize the authority of the lines.
References