Mystery, balance, traditions

Santeria’s beliefs, practices draw from Africa, Caribbean, Catholics

Solimar Otero, a folklorist and LSU faculty member, does more than study Santeria and teach about it.

The associate professor of English at LSU practices this Caribbean faith shared by many in Louisiana.

“I like that it is based on the idea of balance,” she said, explaining her love for the diversity of the religion and the different beliefs it incorporates. “It is really open to all people in the community and there is a place for all types of people.”

The religion is a system of beliefs that merges Roman Catholicism with the West African religion of Yoruba, brought to the Caribbean nations by slaves. From the islands, Santeria, also known by such other names as Lucumi, eventually made its way to Louisiana, especially the New Orleans area.

According to American Religious Identification survey, about 22,000 U.S. residents acknowledge practicing Santeria.

“They have their own music, stories and mythology and creation stories,” Otero said of those who share her faith. “They have a whole different way at looking at the world that is thousands of years old.”

Otero, who has a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkley, and master and doctorate degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, has studied and practiced Santeria for most of her adult life.

Her biography as posted online by the LSU Department of English, describes how her research has focused on “Afro-Carribbean spirituality and Yoruba traditional religion” in literature and folklore.

She authored “Afro-Cuban Diasporas in the Atlantic World,” is researching gender in Afro-Cuban religious practices and performances and is co-editing a volume that explores the Yoruba deity in her various manifestations.

Unlike Otero, Jonathan Scott, owner of the F&F Botanical Spiritual Supply in New Orleans, does not practice Santeria, but he has learned much about the faith from his customers.

His store has been providing “spiritual paraphernalia” for rituals such as those used in Santeria for three decades. The items include such objects as statues, oils and traditional small metal tools.

“It’s become a mixture of beliefs and more than just a Cuban or African thing,” Scott said. “People here in New Orleans have made it a mixture of spiritual, voodoo and Catholic beliefs.”

The rituals are most often dedicated to the spiritual deities, or orishas. Each of the orishas corresponds to a different Catholic saint,” Scott said. “Most who practice Santeria (in Louisiana) are also Catholic and believe in some African traditions, as well.”

Otero noted how “drumming plays an important role in the rituals. Each ritual is dedicated to a different orisha and has a different drum beat that corresponds to them.”

Scott said that more people in the New Orleans area practice than the general population would think. He hesitated to put a number on it, but noted it has dropped off significantly since Hurricane Katrina. “A lot of the Cubans left after the hurricane and returned to the Miami area.”

The religion is secretive by nature and Scott said many practitioners do not like to reveal their involvement.

“It is a part of their belief. The initiation is a very secret process. It just wouldn’t be authentic to the religion for its members to speak openly about it.”

Animal sacrifice has created a stigma for the religion.

“The traditional animal sacrifices are one reason it’s very secretive,” Scott said. “Not everyone does it and if differs from person to person.”

In 1993, animal sacrifice was declared legal by the United States Supreme Court, ruling as unconstitutional any animal cruelty laws targeted toward Yoruba or Santeria.

Otero said the main animals sacrificed are goats or chickens depending on what orisha is being worshipped.

“The blood is very important to the ceremony and the orisha,” she said. “The animal is actually eaten after the sacrifice and the killing is done in the most peaceful way possible.”

However, Otero said she is a vegetarian and does not eat the animals during ceremonies.

She said Santeria is also known for its medical and spiritual healing practices, such as the ceremonial baths which “can rejuvenate and restore” your body.

She sees similarities to the folk medicines practiced locally in south Louisiana, and said Santeria’s healing rituals also help when used along with “conventional” modern medicine.