Post by deniseov on Dec 21, 2005 6:26:00 GMT -5
(Note - the TOC has changed and may not reflect the actual questions - since working on the text some questions have been melded)
This FAQ has been written to answer questions that are frequently repeated by outsiders or newcomers to the Lucumi Orisha religion.
In the future we will be developing FAQ’s for the related religions of Candomble (Brazil) and Vodou (Haiti)
1.GENERAL QUESTIONS FROM OUTSIDERS/NEWCOMERS ABOUT LUKUMI (Santeria) 4
a. What is Lukumi? 4
b. Where did Lukumi come from? 4
c. What is Santeria? 4
d. Why do you call your religion "santeria" and yourselves "santera/santeros" if you don't worship saints? 4
e. What/who are the Orisha? 5
f. What are Egun? 5
g. Why is your religion secret? 5
h. How do I deal with a Lukumi practitioner as an employer, co-worker, teacher, health practitioner, corrections officer? 5
2. QUESTIONS ABOUT LUKUMI AS A BELIEF SYSTEM AND IN RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER RELIGIONS/FAITHS 5
a. Do you believe in God? 5
b. Do you believe in the Devil? 5
c. Do you have a Church or place to worship? 6
d. Do you have a religious text like the Bible or Koran? 6
e. Where can I find / read your sacred text? Who wrote it? 6
f. Is Lukumi/Santeria a cult? 6
g. Isn't Lukumi/Santeria voodoo? 6
h. What's the difference between Lukumi and Espiritismo? 6
i. Is Lukumi a Pagan religion and if not what makes Lukumi different? 6
j. Isn't Santeria/Lukumi brujeria(witchcraft)? 6
k. Isn't the religion purer in Africa? 7
l. Who is the symbolic or de facto leader of your religion, i.e. - Pope, Dali Lama, Archbishop, Ayotollah, etc.? 7
m. What are the "unchanging truths" of your religion? 7
n. How old is your religion? Who founded it? 7
o. How many followers do you have, worldwide? 7
p. Where can I go to find out more information? (suggested reading list bibliography and websites) 7
3. QUESTIONS ABOUT LUKUMI STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION 8
a. What is a rama? 8
b. What is an ile? 8
c. What is the relationship between Babalawos and Santeros 8
d. What are the different levels in the religion? 8
e. What tasks do people in the religion do, or skills do they learn/utilize? 8
4. IYAWOS - BRIDES OF THE ORISHA 9
a. What is an Iyawo? 9
b. Why is he/she wearing all white ? 9
c. Why can’t Iyawos take pictures? 9
d. Why can’t I touch a Iyawo? 9
e. Why are they eating on the floor? 9
f. If I'm married do I have to give up sex with my partner during my Iyawo year? 9
g. What taboos do you have to observe during your Iyawo year? 9
f. What do I do if my job has problems with me dressing in white? 9
5. QUESTIONS ABOUT LUKUMI PRACTICE 9
What taboos are practiced in Lukumi? 9
Why do you have taboos? 10
Why do you sacrifice animals? 10
Do you sacrifice people? 10
What is possession? 10
Does everyone get possessed? 10
Why do you have food taboos? 10
Why do you burn candles? 10
Why must women wear skirts? 10
Why do you wear white? 10
Why do you have a problem with people wearing black clothes? 10
Why do you wear beads, (elekes, collares)? What do the beads mean? 10
Do men have to wear those bracelets? 10
Why can't I touch your necklaces (elekes)? 10
How do you talk or pray to Orishas? 10
Can Orishas understand me if I speak English? 10
6. DIVINATION/READINGS 10
What is Lukumi divination? 10
What are the different forms of Lukumi divination? 10
What is the difference between get a reading from a Santero, Oriate, and a reading from a Babalawo? 10
Do I have to join to get a reading? 10
How do I get a reading? 10
How do I select a person to give me a reading? 10
What does it cost? 10
What is ebo? 10
Why do I have to do an ebo? 10
Who will do one for me if I’m not a member? 10
How do I find out my guardian Orisha? 10
7. QUESTIONS ABOUT JOINING THE LUKUMI FAITH 10
Who can join? Can only Hispanics and African-Americans join? 10
Do I have to speak/learn Spanish? 10
Do I have to speak/learn Yoruba? 10
How do I join? 10
How do I choose a godparent? 11
How do I find a godparent? 11
How can I verify that someone is really a Lukumi priest? 11
What are the costs of joining? 11
Why isn’t everything free? 11
What is the responsibility of a godparent to a godchild? 11
What is the responsibility of a godchild to a godparent? 11
Does everyone have to be a priest? 11
What is an aleyo? What are warriors? 11
What is half-seated? 11
How is my family going to deal with me joining? (they are Catholic, Baptist, Pentecostal, Jewish...etc) 11
Can joining this religion fix all my problems (marital, sexual, health, job related)? 11
Do you have to be baptized in church to join? 11
Do you have to be a Catholic? 11
If I am Catholic do I have to quit? 11
Can I be a vegetarian and join this religion? 11
8.QUESTIONS ABOUT ANCESTOR REVERENCE 11
How do I begin to honor my ancestors? 11
What is a boveda? 11
What is an Egun shrine - how is that different from a boveda? 11
What is an Egun stick? 11
Suppose some of my ancestors were bad people? Do I still honor them? 11
What if I don’t have recent African ancestors? How do I honor European, Native American, or Asian ancestors? 11
What is a “misa” or spiritual mass? 11
9. RITUALS AND EVENTS IN THE RELIGION THAT ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 11
What is a bembe? 11
Why do you have drummings? 11
Will I get possessed? 11
Does everyone get possessed? 11
What is a tambor or bembe? 12
What is a guiro? 12
What is a fundamento? 12
How do you learn those songs? 12
What do the songs mean? 12
What do the dances mean? 12
How do I learn them? 12
What is an ocha birthday? 12
10. RULES OF BEHAVIOR FOR ALEYOS AND GUESTS AT LUKUMI EVENTS AND CEREMONIES 12
Are there different rules of behavior and or protocols for members and non-members? 12
Clients, guests, non members - protocols 12
Aleyos - rules and regs 12
Oloshas - rules and regs/ code of conduct 12
Babalawos - rules and regs/ code of conduct 12
Prostration/foribale - Saluting priests 12
11.TABLE MANNERS/PROTOCOLS: 12
12. GENERAL DESCRIPTIONS OF LUKUMI CEREMONIES: 13
Birth and child naming 13
Weddings 13
Can Lucumi priests perform weddings? 13
Initiations 13
Celebrations 13
Birthdays 13
Healings (awans) 13
Death 13
TOC
1.GENERAL QUESTIONS FROM OUTSIDERS/NEWCOMERS ABOUT LUKUMI (Santeria)
a. What is Lukumi?
Lukumi (often spelled Lucumi), popularly known as Santeria, or La Regla de Ocha is a religious system brought to the New World island of Cuba by Yoruba slaves from Africa in the area that is now Nigeria.
b. Where did Lukumi come from?
The roots of Lucumi are from Yoruba speaking peoples - who had various sub-ethnic groups, and there were also Yoruba speaking people’s in Benin
c. What is Santeria?
A popular name for a New World African based religion which has incorporated elements of Catholic worship.
d. Why do you call your religion "santeria" and yourselves "santera/santeros" if you don't worship saints?
Since slaves In Cuba were not allowed to practice their religions openly, and slaves were also baptized Catholic by their Spaniard enslavers, practice of Yoruba religion had to incorporate elements of Catholicism in order to survive. Over time - descendants of Africans in Cuba continued to practice Catholicism - but to also continue their earlier beliefs. There was diffusion of Catholicism into Yoruba belief , and specifically because slaves were allowed to join societies devoted to specific saints - those that paraded - and formed groups around the Catholic images while still practicing as priests in the older Yoruba tradition were called “santeros”.
e. What/who are the Orisha?
Orisha are deified ancestors - symbolic of both natural forces and energies who stand between the living and the Creator (Olodumare) in Yoruba belief. Their energies directly interact with humans, since Olodumare is distant and removed from human affairs.
f. What are Egun?
Lineal ancestral spirits. All ceremonies and rituals in the Lukumi religion begin with paying homage to one’s ancestors.
g. Why is your religion secret?
Because it was repressed under slavery, it’s adherents arrested and persecuted, open worship was impossible both during slavery and after emancipation. Due to the ethnocentrism and racism of practitioners of mainstream religions who did not recognize African systems of belief as religions, and to their attitudes towards animal sacrifice as part of ritual, Lukumi was banned.
h. How do I deal with a Lukumi practitioner as an employer, co-worker, teacher, health practitioner, corrections officer?
The same way you would deal with people of other faiths - with respect . If they are wearing bead necklaces - refrain from touching them. If they have their heads covered - respect that the same way you would respect the yarmulke of a Jewish person, the turban of a Sikh or the kufi of a Muslim.
2. QUESTIONS ABOUT LUKUMI AS A BELIEF SYSTEM AND IN RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER RELIGIONS/FAITHS
a. Do you believe in God?
Yes we believe in a Creator who we call Olodumare.
b. Do you believe in the Devil?
No. Yoruba belief has no oppositional set up - good versus evil, God versus a Devil. One strives to develop good character and good works during your lifetime. There are concepts of negative energies however - most generated by human foibles.
c. Do you have a Church or place to worship?
Lucumi practitioners have shrines and altars in their own homes, but come together for group worship in a variety of locations for specific events. This is one of the main differences between Lukumi and Candomble of Brazil - a sister worship system, where there are terreiros or houses of worship.
d. Do you have a religious text like the Bible or Koran?
Yes - but it was orally transmitted until recently. This corpus of knowledge includes Odu Ifa and patakis (moral parables)
e. Where can I find / read your sacred text? Who wrote it?
There are numerous ethnographic texts compiling portions of Odu Ifa, prayers (Oriki) and patakis (parables) as well as the body of religious ceremonial songs and drum patterns which are prayer as well. No one text exists with the entire corpus since it is still oral and passed down from teachers to students.
f. Is Lukumi/Santeria a cult?
“Cult” is a pejorative term. No. It is a religion. It has over 20 million adherents in the New world when you include the branches in Brazil.
g. Isn't Lukumi/Santeria voodoo?
No. Voudou or Vodoun is an West African religion brought to the New world by the Fon people of Dahomey and though they have similarities they are different in genesis.
h. What's the difference between Lukumi and Espiritismo?
They are completely different systems of belief. Lucumi is a religion, Espiritismo is the practice of mediumship, dealing with the dead and guardian spirits - based on French spiritism which became popularized in the New World in the early 1900’s, particularly in Puerto Rico. In the 1940’s and 1950’s some practitioners of Espiritismo also became Santeros - and have in grafted the two practices together.
i. Is Lukumi a Pagan religion and if not what makes Lukumi different?
If you define Pagan as a pan-theistic folk tradition, then no - because Lukumi Yoruba belief is mono-theistic and urban.
j. Isn't Santeria/Lukumi brujeria(witchcraft)?
No. Brujeria or witchcraft is the practice of contagious and or sympathetic magic. Lukumi prayer - like all world religions seeks the intercession of the divine.
k. Isn't the religion purer in Africa?
No. In Africa the religion has also been influenced by Islam and Christianity - and the decimation of the slave trade took a heavy toll on African adherents. A better way to phrase this is that both African and New World traditions are not static and change to adjust to variances in history, and contemporary socio-political conditions.
l. Who is the symbolic or de facto leader of your religion, i.e. - Pope, Dali Lama, Archbishop, Ayotollah, etc.?
There is no one leader. The Lukumi system is organized around “iles” (houses of worshippers) or “ramas” (lineages of worshippers) and since the religion is hierarchical - the leaders are elders, or those with elder status from the various ramas or iles.
m. What are the "unchanging truths" of your religion?
1. Reverence for the ancestors.
2. Each person is born with an Ori (or destiny) that they have chosen.
3. A belief that there are mediators between oneself and the Creator - Olodumare, called Orisha.
n. How old is your religion? Who founded it?
This question is debatable -many archeologists and historians have asserted that the Yoruba migrated to what is now Nigeria around 1000 C.E. The greatest influx of Yoruba slaves arrived in Cuba by the mid to late 1800’s so Lukumi as it is practiced today has ancient roots with modern New World modifications.
o. How many followers do you have, worldwide?
Estimates range from 15 million to 30 million world wide. Figures in the US are debatable - since there are still many religionists who will not admit openly to their practice,
p. Where can I go to find out more information? (suggested reading list bibliography and websites)
See book lists and suggested reading on alt.religion.orisha
3. QUESTIONS ABOUT LUKUMI STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION
a. What is a rama?
A lineage of priests - dating back to one common initiated ancestor
b. What is an ile?
A group of lineage related priests, and godchildren initiated and uninitiated) who work together to learn and perform ceremonies.
c. What is the relationship between Babalawos and Santeros
Babalawos are diviners and herbalists who are priests of Orunmila/Ifa who do not become possessed by Orisha and play a meditating role in Lucumi practice.
Some houses (iles) in Lucumi have a close working relationship with Babalawos and others do not.
d. What are the different levels in the religion?
Oluwos - Babalawos (priests of Ifa) who have also been initiated to a specifc Orisha
Oba/Oriate A priest highly trained in cowry shell
divination who also functions as a Master of ceremonies for ritual
Iyalorisha and Babalorisha - priests who have intitiated godchildren
Oloshas - priests who have not initiated godchildren
Omo Aña - A fraternity of male priests dedicated to playing the sacred Aña drums (fundamento bata)
Akpwon - an expert in ritual songs
Iyawos - initiates in their first year(see Iyawo section)
Aborisha (sometimes called aleyos) non- priest members of an ile.
e. What tasks do people in the religion do, or skills do they learn/utilize?
The Lucumi community is extremely diverse, and since the religion is not practiced in isolation, the community requires a variety of skills.
Crafting of articles for initiations or other functions: Clothing makers, Throne/altar builders, Potters, Blacksmiths/iron workers - Woodworkers and carvers, mask makers Silver and goldsmiths
The Kitchen: Cooks, Pluckers. Pot scrubbers,Coconut openers,Peelers, shredders and graters (kitchen prep)
Musicians: singers, drummers, shekere and bell/hoe players.
Scholars, historians. writers, & illustrators
Herbalists and botanists
Diviners
4. IYAWOS - BRIDES OF THE ORISHA
a. What is an Iyawo?
A recently initiated priest. Iyawo means “bride of the Orisha”
b. Why is he/she wearing all white ?
For the first year Iyawos are spiritually vulnerable and wear white to repel negativity, as a symbol of purity and to bear witness to the community at large the fact of their initiation.
c. Why can’t Iyawos take pictures?
They are to avoid all manifestations of vanity
d. Why can’t I touch a Iyawo?
Because they pick up other peoples’ energy
e. Why are they eating on the floor?
The Iyawo is considered to be a baby - since initiation is considered to be the “birth” of a new priest. Consequently Iyawo’s sit on the floor, are waited upon and do not eat with a knife or fork - only using a spoon or fingers.
f. If I'm married do I have to give up sex with my partner during my Iyawo year?
No. There are specific times we refrain from sexual congress however.
g. What taboos do you have to observe during your Iyawo year?
They vary depending upon the specific divination received during initiation. Iyawos do not drink alcoholic beverages, try to avoid being out at night (unless their job requires it) and wear white clothing.
f. What do I do if my job has problems with me dressing in white?
Discuss with your godparents. Most Iyawos who hold jobs that require a uniform wear the uniform, but change into whites as soon as they get home from work
(continued in next post in this thread due to size)
This FAQ has been written to answer questions that are frequently repeated by outsiders or newcomers to the Lucumi Orisha religion.
In the future we will be developing FAQ’s for the related religions of Candomble (Brazil) and Vodou (Haiti)
1.GENERAL QUESTIONS FROM OUTSIDERS/NEWCOMERS ABOUT LUKUMI (Santeria) 4
a. What is Lukumi? 4
b. Where did Lukumi come from? 4
c. What is Santeria? 4
d. Why do you call your religion "santeria" and yourselves "santera/santeros" if you don't worship saints? 4
e. What/who are the Orisha? 5
f. What are Egun? 5
g. Why is your religion secret? 5
h. How do I deal with a Lukumi practitioner as an employer, co-worker, teacher, health practitioner, corrections officer? 5
2. QUESTIONS ABOUT LUKUMI AS A BELIEF SYSTEM AND IN RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER RELIGIONS/FAITHS 5
a. Do you believe in God? 5
b. Do you believe in the Devil? 5
c. Do you have a Church or place to worship? 6
d. Do you have a religious text like the Bible or Koran? 6
e. Where can I find / read your sacred text? Who wrote it? 6
f. Is Lukumi/Santeria a cult? 6
g. Isn't Lukumi/Santeria voodoo? 6
h. What's the difference between Lukumi and Espiritismo? 6
i. Is Lukumi a Pagan religion and if not what makes Lukumi different? 6
j. Isn't Santeria/Lukumi brujeria(witchcraft)? 6
k. Isn't the religion purer in Africa? 7
l. Who is the symbolic or de facto leader of your religion, i.e. - Pope, Dali Lama, Archbishop, Ayotollah, etc.? 7
m. What are the "unchanging truths" of your religion? 7
n. How old is your religion? Who founded it? 7
o. How many followers do you have, worldwide? 7
p. Where can I go to find out more information? (suggested reading list bibliography and websites) 7
3. QUESTIONS ABOUT LUKUMI STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION 8
a. What is a rama? 8
b. What is an ile? 8
c. What is the relationship between Babalawos and Santeros 8
d. What are the different levels in the religion? 8
e. What tasks do people in the religion do, or skills do they learn/utilize? 8
4. IYAWOS - BRIDES OF THE ORISHA 9
a. What is an Iyawo? 9
b. Why is he/she wearing all white ? 9
c. Why can’t Iyawos take pictures? 9
d. Why can’t I touch a Iyawo? 9
e. Why are they eating on the floor? 9
f. If I'm married do I have to give up sex with my partner during my Iyawo year? 9
g. What taboos do you have to observe during your Iyawo year? 9
f. What do I do if my job has problems with me dressing in white? 9
5. QUESTIONS ABOUT LUKUMI PRACTICE 9
What taboos are practiced in Lukumi? 9
Why do you have taboos? 10
Why do you sacrifice animals? 10
Do you sacrifice people? 10
What is possession? 10
Does everyone get possessed? 10
Why do you have food taboos? 10
Why do you burn candles? 10
Why must women wear skirts? 10
Why do you wear white? 10
Why do you have a problem with people wearing black clothes? 10
Why do you wear beads, (elekes, collares)? What do the beads mean? 10
Do men have to wear those bracelets? 10
Why can't I touch your necklaces (elekes)? 10
How do you talk or pray to Orishas? 10
Can Orishas understand me if I speak English? 10
6. DIVINATION/READINGS 10
What is Lukumi divination? 10
What are the different forms of Lukumi divination? 10
What is the difference between get a reading from a Santero, Oriate, and a reading from a Babalawo? 10
Do I have to join to get a reading? 10
How do I get a reading? 10
How do I select a person to give me a reading? 10
What does it cost? 10
What is ebo? 10
Why do I have to do an ebo? 10
Who will do one for me if I’m not a member? 10
How do I find out my guardian Orisha? 10
7. QUESTIONS ABOUT JOINING THE LUKUMI FAITH 10
Who can join? Can only Hispanics and African-Americans join? 10
Do I have to speak/learn Spanish? 10
Do I have to speak/learn Yoruba? 10
How do I join? 10
How do I choose a godparent? 11
How do I find a godparent? 11
How can I verify that someone is really a Lukumi priest? 11
What are the costs of joining? 11
Why isn’t everything free? 11
What is the responsibility of a godparent to a godchild? 11
What is the responsibility of a godchild to a godparent? 11
Does everyone have to be a priest? 11
What is an aleyo? What are warriors? 11
What is half-seated? 11
How is my family going to deal with me joining? (they are Catholic, Baptist, Pentecostal, Jewish...etc) 11
Can joining this religion fix all my problems (marital, sexual, health, job related)? 11
Do you have to be baptized in church to join? 11
Do you have to be a Catholic? 11
If I am Catholic do I have to quit? 11
Can I be a vegetarian and join this religion? 11
8.QUESTIONS ABOUT ANCESTOR REVERENCE 11
How do I begin to honor my ancestors? 11
What is a boveda? 11
What is an Egun shrine - how is that different from a boveda? 11
What is an Egun stick? 11
Suppose some of my ancestors were bad people? Do I still honor them? 11
What if I don’t have recent African ancestors? How do I honor European, Native American, or Asian ancestors? 11
What is a “misa” or spiritual mass? 11
9. RITUALS AND EVENTS IN THE RELIGION THAT ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 11
What is a bembe? 11
Why do you have drummings? 11
Will I get possessed? 11
Does everyone get possessed? 11
What is a tambor or bembe? 12
What is a guiro? 12
What is a fundamento? 12
How do you learn those songs? 12
What do the songs mean? 12
What do the dances mean? 12
How do I learn them? 12
What is an ocha birthday? 12
10. RULES OF BEHAVIOR FOR ALEYOS AND GUESTS AT LUKUMI EVENTS AND CEREMONIES 12
Are there different rules of behavior and or protocols for members and non-members? 12
Clients, guests, non members - protocols 12
Aleyos - rules and regs 12
Oloshas - rules and regs/ code of conduct 12
Babalawos - rules and regs/ code of conduct 12
Prostration/foribale - Saluting priests 12
11.TABLE MANNERS/PROTOCOLS: 12
12. GENERAL DESCRIPTIONS OF LUKUMI CEREMONIES: 13
Birth and child naming 13
Weddings 13
Can Lucumi priests perform weddings? 13
Initiations 13
Celebrations 13
Birthdays 13
Healings (awans) 13
Death 13
TOC
1.GENERAL QUESTIONS FROM OUTSIDERS/NEWCOMERS ABOUT LUKUMI (Santeria)
a. What is Lukumi?
Lukumi (often spelled Lucumi), popularly known as Santeria, or La Regla de Ocha is a religious system brought to the New World island of Cuba by Yoruba slaves from Africa in the area that is now Nigeria.
b. Where did Lukumi come from?
The roots of Lucumi are from Yoruba speaking peoples - who had various sub-ethnic groups, and there were also Yoruba speaking people’s in Benin
c. What is Santeria?
A popular name for a New World African based religion which has incorporated elements of Catholic worship.
d. Why do you call your religion "santeria" and yourselves "santera/santeros" if you don't worship saints?
Since slaves In Cuba were not allowed to practice their religions openly, and slaves were also baptized Catholic by their Spaniard enslavers, practice of Yoruba religion had to incorporate elements of Catholicism in order to survive. Over time - descendants of Africans in Cuba continued to practice Catholicism - but to also continue their earlier beliefs. There was diffusion of Catholicism into Yoruba belief , and specifically because slaves were allowed to join societies devoted to specific saints - those that paraded - and formed groups around the Catholic images while still practicing as priests in the older Yoruba tradition were called “santeros”.
e. What/who are the Orisha?
Orisha are deified ancestors - symbolic of both natural forces and energies who stand between the living and the Creator (Olodumare) in Yoruba belief. Their energies directly interact with humans, since Olodumare is distant and removed from human affairs.
f. What are Egun?
Lineal ancestral spirits. All ceremonies and rituals in the Lukumi religion begin with paying homage to one’s ancestors.
g. Why is your religion secret?
Because it was repressed under slavery, it’s adherents arrested and persecuted, open worship was impossible both during slavery and after emancipation. Due to the ethnocentrism and racism of practitioners of mainstream religions who did not recognize African systems of belief as religions, and to their attitudes towards animal sacrifice as part of ritual, Lukumi was banned.
h. How do I deal with a Lukumi practitioner as an employer, co-worker, teacher, health practitioner, corrections officer?
The same way you would deal with people of other faiths - with respect . If they are wearing bead necklaces - refrain from touching them. If they have their heads covered - respect that the same way you would respect the yarmulke of a Jewish person, the turban of a Sikh or the kufi of a Muslim.
2. QUESTIONS ABOUT LUKUMI AS A BELIEF SYSTEM AND IN RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER RELIGIONS/FAITHS
a. Do you believe in God?
Yes we believe in a Creator who we call Olodumare.
b. Do you believe in the Devil?
No. Yoruba belief has no oppositional set up - good versus evil, God versus a Devil. One strives to develop good character and good works during your lifetime. There are concepts of negative energies however - most generated by human foibles.
c. Do you have a Church or place to worship?
Lucumi practitioners have shrines and altars in their own homes, but come together for group worship in a variety of locations for specific events. This is one of the main differences between Lukumi and Candomble of Brazil - a sister worship system, where there are terreiros or houses of worship.
d. Do you have a religious text like the Bible or Koran?
Yes - but it was orally transmitted until recently. This corpus of knowledge includes Odu Ifa and patakis (moral parables)
e. Where can I find / read your sacred text? Who wrote it?
There are numerous ethnographic texts compiling portions of Odu Ifa, prayers (Oriki) and patakis (parables) as well as the body of religious ceremonial songs and drum patterns which are prayer as well. No one text exists with the entire corpus since it is still oral and passed down from teachers to students.
f. Is Lukumi/Santeria a cult?
“Cult” is a pejorative term. No. It is a religion. It has over 20 million adherents in the New world when you include the branches in Brazil.
g. Isn't Lukumi/Santeria voodoo?
No. Voudou or Vodoun is an West African religion brought to the New world by the Fon people of Dahomey and though they have similarities they are different in genesis.
h. What's the difference between Lukumi and Espiritismo?
They are completely different systems of belief. Lucumi is a religion, Espiritismo is the practice of mediumship, dealing with the dead and guardian spirits - based on French spiritism which became popularized in the New World in the early 1900’s, particularly in Puerto Rico. In the 1940’s and 1950’s some practitioners of Espiritismo also became Santeros - and have in grafted the two practices together.
i. Is Lukumi a Pagan religion and if not what makes Lukumi different?
If you define Pagan as a pan-theistic folk tradition, then no - because Lukumi Yoruba belief is mono-theistic and urban.
j. Isn't Santeria/Lukumi brujeria(witchcraft)?
No. Brujeria or witchcraft is the practice of contagious and or sympathetic magic. Lukumi prayer - like all world religions seeks the intercession of the divine.
k. Isn't the religion purer in Africa?
No. In Africa the religion has also been influenced by Islam and Christianity - and the decimation of the slave trade took a heavy toll on African adherents. A better way to phrase this is that both African and New World traditions are not static and change to adjust to variances in history, and contemporary socio-political conditions.
l. Who is the symbolic or de facto leader of your religion, i.e. - Pope, Dali Lama, Archbishop, Ayotollah, etc.?
There is no one leader. The Lukumi system is organized around “iles” (houses of worshippers) or “ramas” (lineages of worshippers) and since the religion is hierarchical - the leaders are elders, or those with elder status from the various ramas or iles.
m. What are the "unchanging truths" of your religion?
1. Reverence for the ancestors.
2. Each person is born with an Ori (or destiny) that they have chosen.
3. A belief that there are mediators between oneself and the Creator - Olodumare, called Orisha.
n. How old is your religion? Who founded it?
This question is debatable -many archeologists and historians have asserted that the Yoruba migrated to what is now Nigeria around 1000 C.E. The greatest influx of Yoruba slaves arrived in Cuba by the mid to late 1800’s so Lukumi as it is practiced today has ancient roots with modern New World modifications.
o. How many followers do you have, worldwide?
Estimates range from 15 million to 30 million world wide. Figures in the US are debatable - since there are still many religionists who will not admit openly to their practice,
p. Where can I go to find out more information? (suggested reading list bibliography and websites)
See book lists and suggested reading on alt.religion.orisha
3. QUESTIONS ABOUT LUKUMI STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION
a. What is a rama?
A lineage of priests - dating back to one common initiated ancestor
b. What is an ile?
A group of lineage related priests, and godchildren initiated and uninitiated) who work together to learn and perform ceremonies.
c. What is the relationship between Babalawos and Santeros
Babalawos are diviners and herbalists who are priests of Orunmila/Ifa who do not become possessed by Orisha and play a meditating role in Lucumi practice.
Some houses (iles) in Lucumi have a close working relationship with Babalawos and others do not.
d. What are the different levels in the religion?
Oluwos - Babalawos (priests of Ifa) who have also been initiated to a specifc Orisha
Oba/Oriate A priest highly trained in cowry shell
divination who also functions as a Master of ceremonies for ritual
Iyalorisha and Babalorisha - priests who have intitiated godchildren
Oloshas - priests who have not initiated godchildren
Omo Aña - A fraternity of male priests dedicated to playing the sacred Aña drums (fundamento bata)
Akpwon - an expert in ritual songs
Iyawos - initiates in their first year(see Iyawo section)
Aborisha (sometimes called aleyos) non- priest members of an ile.
e. What tasks do people in the religion do, or skills do they learn/utilize?
The Lucumi community is extremely diverse, and since the religion is not practiced in isolation, the community requires a variety of skills.
Crafting of articles for initiations or other functions: Clothing makers, Throne/altar builders, Potters, Blacksmiths/iron workers - Woodworkers and carvers, mask makers Silver and goldsmiths
The Kitchen: Cooks, Pluckers. Pot scrubbers,Coconut openers,Peelers, shredders and graters (kitchen prep)
Musicians: singers, drummers, shekere and bell/hoe players.
Scholars, historians. writers, & illustrators
Herbalists and botanists
Diviners
4. IYAWOS - BRIDES OF THE ORISHA
a. What is an Iyawo?
A recently initiated priest. Iyawo means “bride of the Orisha”
b. Why is he/she wearing all white ?
For the first year Iyawos are spiritually vulnerable and wear white to repel negativity, as a symbol of purity and to bear witness to the community at large the fact of their initiation.
c. Why can’t Iyawos take pictures?
They are to avoid all manifestations of vanity
d. Why can’t I touch a Iyawo?
Because they pick up other peoples’ energy
e. Why are they eating on the floor?
The Iyawo is considered to be a baby - since initiation is considered to be the “birth” of a new priest. Consequently Iyawo’s sit on the floor, are waited upon and do not eat with a knife or fork - only using a spoon or fingers.
f. If I'm married do I have to give up sex with my partner during my Iyawo year?
No. There are specific times we refrain from sexual congress however.
g. What taboos do you have to observe during your Iyawo year?
They vary depending upon the specific divination received during initiation. Iyawos do not drink alcoholic beverages, try to avoid being out at night (unless their job requires it) and wear white clothing.
f. What do I do if my job has problems with me dressing in white?
Discuss with your godparents. Most Iyawos who hold jobs that require a uniform wear the uniform, but change into whites as soon as they get home from work
(continued in next post in this thread due to size)