Lukumí, Regla De Ocha, and Santería are different names that all refer to the Afro-Cuban System of Orisha Worship that was formally codified and standardized as a religion by a very powerful group of Yoruba and first generation Afro-Cuban women in the 19th Century.

The Orishas are the ancestral deities of the Yoruba people of what is today southwestern Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.  Internal warfare in the 19th Century resulted in the enslavement of a great number of Yoruba people, many of whom landed on the Island of Cuba.

The Lukumí Religion is characterized by a belief in a Supreme Creator, the veneration of blood and initiatory ancestors, and the worship of the deities known as Orisha, who function as intermediaries between mankind and the Supreme Being.  The Orisha communicate with their worshippers via divination and through the bodies of possession priests, who act as their representatives.

This class will serve as an introduction to the system of Afro-Cuban Orisha Worship, and will include a brief overview of the main aspects of the tradition such as the history and cosmology of the religion, ancestor veneration, divination, animal sacrifice, herbal healing, possession, and a brief treatment of each of the major Orisha worshipped in the tradition.

Lecture Outline

What’s in a Name?

• Lukumi/ Regla de Ocha / Santería

Essential Elements

• Ashé: Divine Energy

• Supreme Being

• Orí: the Self & Destiny

• Veneration of Ancestors & Orisha

• Divination

• Animal Sacrifice

• Esoteric Herbal Healing

• Orisha Possession

Roots in Modern Day Nigeria & Benin

• Oyo Empire

• Egbado

• “Arara” / Ewe / Fon

Historical Developments

Centers of Worship in Cuba

• Havana

• Matanzas

Codified and Standardized in the Late 19th Century

Arrival of Ifa to the Island

Syncretism

Lukumí is NOT really syncretized with Catholicism, but with OTHER Afro-Cuban Religions

• Lukumí is just one of many Afro-Cuban religions

Related Parallel Afro-Cuban Spiritual Traditions 

• Espiritismo Cruzado

• Bantu Traditions

Song & Dance as forms of Worship

• Types of Lukumi Drums & Ritual Drumming Ceremonies

Hierarchical Structure

• Levels of Initiation

• Salutations

Elekes, Banners of the Orishas 

• Can only be legitimately received ceremonially

• Represent protection from the Godparent’s Orishas

• Lukumí is the ONLY Tradition with a Stand-alone Elekes Ceremony

• Lineage-based bead patterns

Review of some of the most prevalent Lukumi Orishas

• What is an Orisha?

• Qualities

• Corresponding Colors

• Corresponding Numbers (Divination Patterns)

Elegba, Ogun, Ochosi, Osun, Erinle & Abatan 

Olokun, Yemoja, Oshun, Obba, Oya, Yewa

Shango, Aganju

Obaluaiye, Nana, Afro

Ifa 

The Concept of a Patron Orisha

• A Deity who Promised the Almighty to Assist You

• A Deity whose Energy Places You in Balance

• Not a Mascot or an Astrological Sign

• Orisha are DEITIES

Modern Challenges

• Hyper-sexualized Oshun

• Whitewashing

• Appropriation & Entitlement

• Orisha “Table Altars”

• Orisha cannot be “worked”

• Finding Elders

• Avoiding Scams

• Pitfalls

• Head Marking

Book List

Sources & Resources

Length: 3 Hours & 35 Minutes

Delivery Method: A link and download password will be emailed to you