Page 51 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

Santería ❮❮ 49

sacrificing chickens, pigeons, or
goats. Ebó is also used to woo an TOP 10 ORISHAS
orisha’s favor, or protect practitioners
against witchcraft.
Wemilere
8
These ritual ceremonies are
held to honor orishas. They comprise
prayers, songs, and batá drumming.
A believer may sometimes go into a
trance – he or she is then believed
to be possessed by the orisha.
Babalawos
9 Yemayá, the Virgin of Regla
Babalawos are the powerful
high priests of Santería, and act
as intermediaries to interpret the 1 Olorún
The principal god, often con sidered
commands of the orishas. They use the androgynous sum of all divinity.
seashells, coconut husks, and seeds He is the source of all spiritual energy.
to divine the future and interpret the 2 Obatalá
oracles. A santero might be required The father of humankind represents
to train for a decade to reach the wisdom and purity. He is androgynous
status of babalawo. and celebrates Our Lady of Mercy.
3 Ochún
The youngest orisha, Ochún is the
sensual deity of water as well as the
goddess of love.
4 Yemayá
The mother goddess is the giver
of life and the protector of children
and pregnant women.
5 Changó
The hot-tempered hero-god of thunder
Babalawo interpreting the oracles and lightning represents virility. His
symbol is a double-bladed axe.
Batá
0 6 Babalu Aye
Of Yoruba origin, the sacred,
hourglass-shaped batá drums – Associated with disease, Babalu Aye
wears rags, walks with a crutch, and
itotele, iya, and okonkolo – are carved is accom panied by his dog.
of solid wood. Each has a different 7 Eleggua
size and pitch. The drums are used God of the crossroads, Eleggua opens
during most important ceremonies or closes the way of life. Cuban drivers
and have their own rituals pertaining often place Eleggua’s elekes in their
to their use and care. cars for protection.
8 Oggun
God of metal and war, he fights battles
on behalf of petitioners and is often
depicted with a machete.
9 Osain
This celibate deity represents the
forces of nature. All initiations require
his presence.
10 Oyá
She controls the fate of the injured
and is aligned with St Barbara.
Playing batá drums

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