DISCLAIMER: I am not a follower of the Santeria belief system

What are Orishas?

The Orishas are divine guardian spirits worshipped by the Lucumi Yoruba people of West Africa. They believe in one Higher Power, they call him Olodumare. They believe that each person has a Guardian Spirit called an "Orisha".

Orishas are aspects of the Supreme Being that are manifested as forces of nature. When Yoruba slaves were brought to the New World in the holds of slave ships they brought their beliefs with them. This belief system is known as Lucumi in Cuba,though it is often referred to as "Santeria".

Santeria, or Regla de Ocha, is a broad group of religious and spiritual practices developed in Cuba based mostly on Yoruba traditional religions, but with influences from other African ethnic groups including the Bantu-speaking groups of the Congo region and even European spiritism to some extent. Bata drumming is an important part of this religious practice, which has been brought from Cuba to the United States, especially Miami, and New York.

Fundamental to the religion is the idea that through divination, proper character, appropriate behavior, and sacrifice, one can improve one's life on earth rather than in an afterlife. The concept of living in harmony with one's destiny is also important.

The religion is based on belief in one god, the creator, along with a number of dieties that are represent various forces of nature (like lightning) or principles (such as war or love). These dieties are called orishas, a Yoruba word. In Yoruba culture, an individual would typically be a follower of one orisha, while Santeria merged worship of all the orishas and ancestors into an encompassing religion.

They have been compared to the Saints of Catholicism, and during slavery in Cuba, praise of the Orishas was often disguised as prayer to the saints. This matching of Orishas to Saints has been called "syncretism," and many Cubans still refer to some Orishas by the names of Saints, such as calling Babaluaye "San Lazaro."

Many of the Orishas have historical roots as well, corresponding to actual historical figures such as priests and leaders who displayed exceptional character and accomplishments in the 11th century and other periods of Yoruba civilization.

Respect for and communication with one's ancestors is also important in west African spirituality, and the Cult of the Ancestors/Egungun was also brought into what is now Santeria.