There
are roughly 4,200 religions in the world. Each filled with different beliefs,
practices, rituals and guidelines. Most with a divine belief in a higher being
or power. Throughout history, people have followed traditions left by their
ancestors. These traditions are composed of chants, rituals, prayers they
strongly believe in.
In
my personal case I was raised in the Catholic faith. My mother has a strong
belief in Catholicism and made sure to pass it down to her kids. I did my first
communion and confirmation in Puerto Rico; these are two very big steps in the
Catholic faith. Once I moved to the US, I served the lord by being an alter
servant at mass. As I got older and began to go through life lessons I noticed
that my catholic ways were no longer a fulfillment. I did not feel the same
when I prayed. I did not feel the same when I went to church. I found myself
lost. It wasn’t until the summer of 2007 when I discovered a religion called
Santería during a trip back home to Puerto Rico. Santería is a faith based on
spiritual healing which was exactly what I needed.
After
doing some much needed research I found that there wasn’t much on the web about
the religion. I later interviewed a priest who practices the faith and was told
that the religion is very secretive. Every ritual or ceremony requires for the
persons eyes to be closed. He also spoke to me about the importance of the
beaded necklaces (elekes) used in Santería. Collares or elekes are made
exclusively for Yoruba worshipers. Each color is a representation of the
different saints or ‘orishas’ within the faith. Despite it’s secretive nature,
today there are more than 1 million Santería worshipers in Cuba alone. Each day
I wake up, I thank God for my conviction.
Sources:
http://www.elboricua.com/AfroBorinquen_Santeria.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNhA2IsT9R4http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNhA2IsT9R4
