Chateau Dale Blog

A religion that merges the Yoruba religion from Africa and Roman Catholic is called Santeria.  The slaves came from Africa to Brazil, Cuba and the United States.  They brought with them their traditional Yoruba religion and combined it with the religion and culture of their new country.  The Yoruba have over four hundred gods they call orishas.  The god elegua is their most popular.  They brought with them traditions such as trance dancing, sacred drumming and animal sacrifice.  The slaves were encouraged to convert to Catholicism.  As they prayed to their many gods, they would tell their Catholic slave owner they were praying or celebrating a Saint’s Day.  In reality they were really praying to one of their many orishas.  Sometimes these followers are called Lukumi which means friend.An orisha is considered a deity in the Yoruba religion.  They reflect the different manifestations of their God, Olodumare.  The orisha elegua is sometimes called esu. He is also known as other names as well.  He is considered a messenger who takes prayers and sacrifices to heaven.  He takes many forms and has many names.  As the Yoruba traveled to the New World during the slave trade, these deities combined and developed into Santeria or also called La Regla Ocha.  An orisha priest is called a Santero, a high priest is called a Babalawo.  It is said that each person receives one elegua chosen specifically to the path and need of the individual.  They believe that he can create confusion easily so it is best to pamper him.  He has strong powers and is considered the gatekeeper.  Many followers feel that without his authority nothing can be done.  They have associated the colors red and black and the number three to this orisha.  Some still continue to associate him with the Catholic Saint Anthony or el Nino de Atocha.  The day of the week is Monday and the third day of each month is elegua day.  Some chose to burn a candle on those days.If you enjoy Santeria music  you will be able to find it as well as articles and items of interest at a Botanica.  You can find such things as elegua statues, jewelry, perfumes, oils, articles of clothing books and herbal teas.  Some traditional rhythms of the Bata Drums is representative of the Afro Caribbean music.  Many people have discovered the soothing beat of this music yet are not familiar with the religion.