Santeria

Santería is a syncretic religion of West African and Caribbean origin, also known as Regla de Ocha, La Regla Lucumi, or Lukumi. Its liturgical language, a dialect of Yoruba, is also known as Lucumi.

In the 1920s, the religion is wholly unknown except to certain academics and those who have encountered it directly. Practitioners and believers are found only in urban areas with Cuban or Brazilian populations. Though different in many aspects, the brujeria practiced in Mexico and the American Southwest is very similar to Santería.

Related Attributes

• Cultural Familiarity (Cuban)

• Language (Spanish)

• Language (Yoruba)

• Religious Ritual (Santería)

• Theology (Catholic)

Santeria Ranks

Devotees of Santeria are organized into ranks. Each rank is attained by completing an initiation ceremony and consecration to a particular deity. The ranks and associated ceremonies are listed below, followed by the attributes associated with each rank.

1. Consecration of Ifa and the Initiation of Olofi; known as omo-kolobas. Clerical Investment. Religious Rank 8, Power Investiture 6.

2. Consecration of Ifa and the Initiaion of Cuanaldo, during which they receive the babalawo’s sacrifical knife. Clerical Investment. Religious Rank 7, Power Investiture 6.

3. Consecrated to Ifa in the coronation or asiento ceremony; known as Oluwos. Clerical Investment. Religious Rank 6, Power Investiture 5.

4. Consecrated to Ifa without the asiento ceremony; known as babalawos. Clerical Investment. Religious Rank 5, Power Investiture 4.

5. Santeros who have received the initiation known as the Pinaldo, during which they receive the santero’s sacrificial knife, or cuchillo. Clerical Investment. Religious Rank 4. Power Investiture 3.

6. People who have received the initiation known as the karioriocha; known as santeros or santeras. Clerical Investment. Religious Rank 3. Power Investiture 2.

7. Men who have received the Abo-facá (Mano de Orunla) or women who have received the Ico-fa (Cofá de Orunla); known as aleyos. Religious Rank 2. Power Investiture 1.

8. People who have received the initiation known as Los Guererros, or the ceremony of the Warriors, comprising Elegguá, Ochosi and Oggun; known as aleyos. A basic but important initiation. Religious Rank 1. Power Investiture 1.

9. People who have received los collares or elekes; known as aleyos. Religious Rank 1.

10. People who have received an Osain amulet; known as aleyos. Religious Rank 0.

11. People who believe in the saints and spirits but who do not wish initiation. No Religious Rank or Power Investiture.

12. People who do not believe in Santería. No Religious Rank or Power Investiture.