Special thanks to my friend, Dr. Don Moore, who, for years, was a seminary professor and the Interfaith Witness Leader for the Caribbean Baptist Convention (Puerto Rico). His in-depth research into Afro-Caribbean religions forms the basis for this article. I attended one of his seminars years ago on this subject, and believe it is more relevant today than ever.
Last month, March of 2016, marked an historic milestone in the relationship between the United States and the island nation of Cuba. Since about 1960, the two countries were at odds over Cuba’s adoption of a Communist government, and its long-time alliance with the former Soviet Union. Though the Soviet Union, and most other formerly Communist states, abandoned that oppressive political and economic philosophy more than a quarter-century ago, Cuba is one of those few still retaining Marxism as its official political system.
We can debate whether this new relationship is a good policy or not, but that is not the purpose of this article. One of the most significant cultural aspects of Cuban life is that many Cubans practice a strange religion called Santeria. Actually, many Americans of Cuban origin also practice this highly occult faith. Followers of Santeria are called Santeros. We could ask, with the new openness between our countries, will more adherents of Santeria soon be coming to our nation. If so, we need to know what it is and what we should do about it.
Santeria is an Afro-Caribbean religion that combines Animism, Pantheism and ancestor worship with Roman Catholicism. In Cuba, Catholicism came primarily out of the old Spanish tradition which included many statues and relics of saints, Mary, and Jesus. This sort of superstitious and syncretistic form of Christianity made incorporating African spirit worship easier.
Slaves from West Africa were transported to the Caribbean islands in the 16th and 17th centuries by the Spanish, and were forced to “convert” to Catholicism. However, those of the Yoruba tribe, from what is now Nigeria, cleverly disguised their real beliefs by using the names of Catholic saints to mask their pagan gods. Thus, the pseudonym of “Santeria” was created, which in Spanish means “the worship of saints.” Some estimates are that as many as 100 million people worldwide follow this faith. As many as 500,000 of them may now live in the United States!
The basic assumption of Santeria is the existence of gods/deities or guardian angels called “orichas.” It does have the idea of one supreme god, but he is too remote to actually be worshipped. So the worship involves the 16 lesser orichas, also called santos (saints). The Yoruba religion of Africa has 400 gods/goddesses but only 16 are primary in Santeria.
The highest god is named Olofi. He is the creator god who channels his power through the lesser gods. All the orichas are emanations of him. The lesser deities represent the following aspects: (1) control of a variety of human forces, and (2) control of the forces of nature.
The names of the 16 primary deities, and their Santeria designations, are as follows. (Note, the spellings and names may vary according to different sources.)
1. Obatala (“Our Lady of Power”, i.e.: the Virgin Mary).
2. Orunmilla (Saint Francis of Assisi and Patron saint of the High priest).
3. Yemalia (“Virgin of Regela”).
4. Ochun (Sister of Yemalia [Virgin of Casida]. The female concubine of Chango. Also called “Our Lady of Charity”, the patron saint of Cuba).
5. Oya (“Virgin of Candelaria” [Queen of the dead]. She is patron saint of the cemetery and is represented as Saint Theresa, patron saint of Puerto Rico.)
6. Chango (“Santa Barbara” [who was removed from the list of Catholic saints in the 1960s], or “Saint Jerome.” His colors are red and white and he has a cup that symbolizes powerful magical spells. He carries a sword in his hand to represent an axe, and wears a crown in the shape of a fortress.)
7. Babalu-Aye (“Saint Lazarus” who is the god of healing and patron saint of the sick. [Babalu was the title of a popular song in the 1950s done by Cuban born singer and TV star Desi Arnaz].)
8. Eleygua (“Saint Anthony” is the patron saint of the doors to do things you want done.)
9. Ogun (“Saint Peter,” the patron saint of workers.)
10. Ochosi (“Saint Norbert the hunter.)
11. Osun (“Saint John the Baptist” who warns Santeros of danger.)
12. Orisha Oko (“Saint Isidore,” the patron of agriculture.)
13. Olokun (Rules the depths of the sea – no saint name.)
14. Ibeji (“Saint Damian” and “Saint Cosme,” who are twins.)
15. Aggayu (“Saint Christopher.”)
16. Yegua (“Our Lady of Montserrat.”)
Santeria supposedly uses occult divination. Followers seek to acquire power, learn of its spiritual sources, and know how to manipulate those sources. Shells, stones, and herbs are often used as divinatory instruments. Much of the power comes from sympathetic magic wherein an object acts as a representation of the thing to be affected (this is similar to voodoo dolls). The main purposes of this power is to be successful, to get jobs, and to know and improve the future.
Adherents do ritual sacrifices of animals, that feed and appease the gods to do magic on their behalf. In some of the rituals, new initiates minds and bodies are supposedly taken under the control of the orichas. Initiates into the religion then begin a lifetime climb up a ladder to higher ranking levels of knowledge and power. People’s ranks are represented by the types of ornaments they wear (bracelets, necklaces, etc.). Only a very few make it to the highest levels.
In Santeria the departed dead are also very important. They are called on, prayed to, and also fed. The idea is that the dead still affect peoples lives, and can protect or curse them. Pigs are sacrificed to the dead.
So how do we, as Biblical Christians, respond to Santeria? First, Santeria is, at its core, pagan and occult. The orichas, though disguised as Catholic saints, are nothing less than animistic pagan gods. Idolatry, of course, is condemned in Scripture. The Bible also strongly condemns all aspects of the occult as contrary to the will of God (see Deuteronomy 18: 9-13). Nonetheless, we must acknowledge the reality of the supernatural. The Bible teaches that there are two spiritual kingdoms, the angelic and the demonic. Both can affect life on earth. We contend that Santeria is very likely actual demonic activity at work in those who submit their minds, bodies, and spirits to it.
As Christians we should stand against evil powers, but at the same time show love and concern to those in bondage to them. In the coming years, as more interaction takes place between Americans and Cubans, we can assume Santeria will spread its impact in this country. If we encounter people in Santeria, or other such faiths, we should declare the supremacy of Christ over all spiritual forces, and share the true liberating Gospel of Jesus with them.
© 2016 Tal Davis