Syncretism and the Origins of Voodoo and Santeria
Syncretism is thought to be a religion that originated as a result of the slave trade. Voodoo (or Vodou) and Santeria are the most important syncretistic religions. Syncretism is often thought to have evolved through contacts between Africans and Portuguese, as well as their respective languages, traditions, and religions. As a consequence, it can be considered an inter-linguistic, intercultural, and inter-religious operation. Syncretism extended to Haiti, Cuba, and other Caribbean islands, as well as Brazil, in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. They intermarried with plantation owners and slave masters in these areas, resulting in the two faiths (De La Torre 2004).
The Santeria
The Santeria began growing mainly in Cuba, and most of their beliefs are a reflection of the Yoruba people, who currently live in Nigeria. However, the focus of Yoruba is based upon a pantheon of divinities namely orishas. On the other hand, the Santerían figures are often related with the Catholic saints. This religion is also viewed as a traditional religion that, in spite of its secretive nature, suppression, and persecution, it has more than a million followers in the United States. It arose from the cultural clash between the Spanish Catholics and the Yoruba people of West Africa. Furthermore, despite being a faith of the marginalized, it gave the oppressed women and men strength and the will to survive (Clark 2007).
The Santeria religion traces its roots in the Yoruba religions in Africa. This religion was spread to other countries by the many people who were sold as slaves. The Spanish are said to have settled in Cuba at around 1492 which is ultimately associated with the increased cultural genocides and spread of diseases. As a result, the country’s working population was greatly reduced, and hence the Spanish starts importing slaves from Africa. The slaves came with their homeland cultural traditions, including cultural values. Particularly, the Yoruba slaves brought social traditions of West Africa and religious practices of orisha worship with them. These religious traditions formed the base for Santeria as it is carried out presently in Cuba.
However, Cuba possessed a strong cultural influence from Catholicism at this time for the Spanish control only allowed adoption of the same. As a result, slaves who were found practicing the orisha worship were subjected to incarceration, prosecution, and prejudice (Héctor E. 2012). Therefore, the Yoruba people were forced to adopt some aspects of Catholicism. However, in 1898, slavery was abolished, and the Spanish feared that their subjects would demand equality. They attempted to get rid of the Santeria religion, but instead, the believers went underground, become stronger and still practiced this religion. The Yoruba also used Catholicism to mask the Orisha worship. As a result of the combination of Orisha worship and Catholicism, The Santeria religion was born.
The Voodoo
The Voodoo is originally associated with the Fon people of West Africa. It is also known as a merge between the indigenous African religions, particularly the Ewe and Fon people, with a foreign culture. The term Vodou is obtained from the Fon’s word “vodun” which means a spirit or a god. This religion was brought to Haiti around the sixteenth century. The Fon people were also official subjects of the Yoruba people. The Yoruba would raid the Fon villages in attempts to supply the slave trade they carried out for the Spanish and French empires. As a result, the Fon religion and culture were spread to other countries, especially Haiti.
Haiti is said to be the root of the voodoo religion (M. J. Maranise 2012). The first African arrived on the island around 1512. At this time, Haiti was under Spain’s control who had Catholic priests and missionaries traveling with them wherever they went. These missionaries attempted to convert the people to Catholicism. However, at the same time, the French were fighting for the colony and obtained the Western part of the island, Haiti. Afterward, the French obtained full control of Haiti and forced the enslaved people to go to Catholic churches. The church assisted the colonized people to get an education from the French schools. Nonetheless, despite learning a new religion, they still practiced their tribal religions in the church including Vodun, but these practices were hidden from the public. Therefore, the tribal religions mixed with Catholicism led to the growth of the Voodoo religion.
The voodoo religion is said to represent the spirit of culture. It is also seen as a way of life. The religion allows an individual to become a god rather than just remaining in contact with a god. The voodoo religion is also related to the success of the black community in various areas in the United States. It is also associated with the success of the Haitian revolution. Currently, this culture is popular and portrayed by Hollywood as a mythical religion that primarily deals with zombies, creates potions, and casts spells. As a result, this religion is mostly misinterpreted and misunderstood. Moreover, the culture is associated with animal sacrifices and many rituals and ceremonies and songs were considered one of the primary aspects of the religion.
Similarities and Differences between Voodoo and Santeria
Similarities: The Voodoo and the Santeria have several similarities. For instance, both religions have an African heritage for they are both believed to be of African origin, and their rituals originate from Nigeria. The two religions are also believed to have been brought to the Western hemisphere by slaves from North Africa particularly Nigeria. However, the African traditional beliefs as well as other pagan activities were banned and illegal in the Western Hemisphere; the slaves ended up infusing Christianity with their pagan values for the avoidance of death and persecution. Also, they both believe in one God who is served by several spirits. They also both believe in possession of the spirits in the form of dance and song. However, the Santeria call their spirits “orishas” whereas the Voodoo refers to them as “loas.” Moreover, both religions identify the ancestors as well as the spirits to Catholic saints.
Differences: Despite having numerous similarities in their faiths, the Voodoo and Santeria religions have several differences too. Firstly, the Christian influences of these two religions vary. For example, the Voodoo are associated with French Catholicism whereas the Santeria are characterized by Spanish Catholicism. Moreover, Voodoo is based on the Ewe and Fon beliefs as opposed to the Santeria which is founded on the Yoruba beliefs. Also, given that Santeria is primarily established upon the Spanish Catholicism, it grew in the culture of Spanish-speaking colonies and countries, and among Spanish-speaking individuals. As a result, the central location for the Santeria growth is Cuba and Mexico. On the other hand, the Voodoo is centered upon French Catholicism; it developed in New Orleans under the influence of American and French cultures. Also, the religion originated from Haiti. Therefore, the Santeria is mostly familiar with Hispanic people whereas the worship of Voodoo is common among the people of Haiti.
The slaves who brought Voodoo and Santeria to America were also different. It is perceived that the Santeria were brought to America by slaves who were indoctrinated in Catholicism as opposed to Voodoo. Also, comparing the Santeria and Voodoo religion, the Santeria are said to use more animal sacrifices, at times on an everyday basis, than Voodoo. Voodoo is believed to practice their animal sacrifices on a smaller scale compared to Santeria. Furthermore, Santeria is not considered an official religion and therefore is less popular compared to Voodoo. On the contrary, Voodoo is the official religion in Haiti. Also, Voodoo is also deemed as a native practice in comparison to Santeria.
Conclusion
Syncretism is currently practiced in different countries. The main religions that make up Syncretism are the Santeria and Voodoo religions. These two religions both trace their roots to Africa with Santeria being associated with the Yoruba people whereas the Voodoo religion is related to Ewe and Fon beliefs. Both Santeria and Voodoo also developed despite being considered illegal and their devotees getting incarcerated or persecuted. Moreover, these two religions were also influenced by Catholicism to some extent. However, the Voodoo supporters are associated with French Catholicism whereas the Santeria religion is centered upon Spanish Catholicism. Both religions also carry out several ceremonies, but the Santeria is said to engage in more animal sacrifices compared to Voodoo adherents. Regarding popularity, the Voodoo religion is more well-known compared to Santeria. However, the former is mostly misinterpreted or misunderstood by various people. Therefore, syncretism has grown from the colonization times and gained popularity in some countries over the years.
Works Cited
Clark, Mary Ann. 2007. Santeria. 1st ed. Westport, Conn.: Praeger Publishers.
De La Torre, Miguel A. 2004. Santeria. 1st ed. Grand Rapids, Mich.: William B. Eerdmans Pub. Co.
Héctor E., López-Sierra. 2012. “Worldview, The Orichas, And Santeria: Africa To Cuba And Beyond.”. Caribbean Studies 40 (1): 211- 216. doi:10.1353/crb.2012.0018.
M. J. Maranise, Anthony. 2012. “Investigating the Syncretism of Catholicism And Voodoo in New Orleans”. Journal of Religion & Society 14.
