Santeria

Unlike in Africa, where the pantheon of Orishas is wider, in Cuba have fallen into disuse many who, in their day, were very powerful Orishas.

 

This phenomenon is due mainly to the rites that were made for the beginning they were being forgotten and in other occasions, they were not considered relevant Orishas, so some of the most common Orishas absorbed its qualities.

 

In Nigeria there are so many Orishas as families, and some are for the exclusive use of these. But in reality, it preserves the mass cult Orishas certain that, as in Cuba, are considered perishable and vital within the Yoruba pantheon.

It should be noted that in Africa, as in the early days in Cuba, people were initiated into Santeria Orisha only received the protector and Elegguá.

 

Today, people are initiated into the Rule of Osha also receive Elegguá to Oggún, Oshosi and Osun, and take five foundation called Orishas, which are: Obatala, Shango, Oshun, Yemaya and Oya.

 

In Africa, the presiding deity in an area was always linked to socio-economic development of the region, hence it is natural as the worship of Orishas Oshosi Inle or in areas where hunting and fishing was the backbone of the economy, Oshun or in areas where the river served as a mainstay.

 

In Cuba, this phenomenon did not occur in the same way, but if it must be stressed that in the countryside, where farming was crucial, it developed a certain proliferation of land-related Orishas, as occurred in places with Yemaya where the sea was the main breadwinner of the family. But above all, there was a significant importance to Obatala, pointing to accentuate its presence in the initiation rites and creating what is known as Yawo period in which the newly launched apparel for a year, is entirely white . This color represents the purity and sanctity which contains Obatala, the father of the Orishas, and therefore reserved for their exclusive use.

Also, the person who receives, or is born, another deity will have to use this color belongs after the ritual.

 

This phenomenon does not happen in the black continent, where social conditions prevent a person from spending so much time away from work duty towards the family, realizing this period only the days of initiation, often seven, although there may be certain cases where extending by one month or one day.

 

It is common in Nigeria there is a main Orisha in a given population, to which all its inhabitants worship without having to receive the Orisha; enough that the soothsayer prepare an amulet, which extends from that deity, for a devotee to feel protected, and it is sufficient that she is satisfied that, through his plea, will make the Orisha intercede in your life.

 

Also there are strict taboos arising from the gender difference in Nigeria, where they have a fundamental value for the devotees. The woman is always more hierarchical constraints than men, especially during menstrual period, which must follow strict standards and rigorous.

 

Other noticeable differences are in the sacrifice, which in Cuba is done the first day or day of the Orisha, as in Nigeria, but it gets the stones and tools of the Orishas, who are born at the time, before the altar; without direct contact between the Yawo and animal, but when he introduces his tongue in the occipital hole, at the time of giving the Orisha Ashe of animals sacrificed. In Nigeria, each animal received the Yawo Orisha is sacrificed at the head of which is initiated and, hence, blood is spilled on the stones and other implements of the Orisha being born.