Cada santo controla diferentes partes de la naturaleza, como los truenos, las tormentas, el mar, los bosques y los ríos. Al mismo tiempo también controlan las cualidades humanas, como el amor, la inteligencia y la embriaguez. Todas las personas tienen dos santos como protectores, seas devoto o no, y sin importar en qué parte del mundo vivas. ¿Quizás encuentres “tus” santos?
Elegguá – santo of gates
Elegguá es el más pequeño de los santos, pero también uno de los más importantes. En todo ritual o fiesta se comienza saludando a Elegguá y pidiéndole permiso para iniciar la fiesta. Es además uno de los guerreros (los guerreros) que también incluyen al santo del metal, Oggún , el santo de la caza, Ochosi , y el protector Osun . Estos son los cuatro primeros santos que recibirás en tu camino a la Santería.
Elementos naturales y lugar de vivienda.
Elegguá gobierna sobre encrucijadas y puertas. Él protege tu hogar y, por lo tanto, lo encontrarás representado en forma de una pequeña figura de piedra dentro de las puertas de un creyente.
Rasgos de personalidad
Es el mensajero entre Olofi y los santos, y también entre santos y humanos. Elegguá es quien abre y cierra oportunidades tanto para las personas como para los Dioses. De esta manera ofrece oportunidades a las personas, pero también puede impedir que obtengan las oportunidades que esperan. En otras palabras, Elegguá es amado y temido, pero sobre todo muy respetado.
Santo católico y día de celebración.
El santo católico Niño de Atocha está asociado con Elegguá. Tanto Eleggúa como el Niño de Atocha son considerados niños pequeños y esta es sin duda la razón por la que precisamente se eligió a este santo como disfraz de Elegguá. El lado infantil de Elegguá se puede ver durante las posesiones cuando juega y tontea, además de ser especialmente aficionado a los dulces y juguetes. Elegguá se celebra el primer día del año, cuando todas las oportunidades están abiertas ante ti.
Comida/ofrendas
Nada mejor que regalarle unos dulces a Elegguá. Pero a pesar de su lado infantil, no rechazará un buen cigarro ni un poco de licor azucarado, por no hablar de un poco de sangre fresca de gallo.
Rasgos de personalidad de los iniciados de Elegguá
Los hijos e hijas de Elegguá son juguetones como él. A menudo les gusta gastar bromas a la gente, pero también pueden ser serios.
Restricciones habituales para iniciados de Elegguá
A los iniciados de Elegguá a menudo se les prohíbe el acceso a los cruces de caminos, ya que son lugares difíciles y puede haber peligro en ciernes.
Color
Elegguá es uno de los pocos santos que tiene como color el negro. El negro rara vez se ve en la Santería; Por ejemplo, no debes vestir de negro si vas a asistir a un ritual o fiesta. El rojo es también el color de Ellegúa. Por eso su collar se compone de cuentas alternativamente rojas y negras.
Obbatalá – santo de la paz y la inteligencia
Obbatalá ayudó a Olofi a crear tanto la tierra como el Hombre. Por tanto, ocupa un alto puesto en la jerarquía del santo.
Elementos naturales
Obbatalá es considerado el santo de la paz y la pureza.
Rasgos de personalidad
He is also the santo for intelligence and justice and great drinkers. That he is associated with people who take a couple of drinks too many is due to a story from the time when Olofi was going to create the world and asked Obbatalá for help. Obbatalá would have liked to help, but helped himself too much from a bottle of palm wine and fell asleep at his work. Therefore he was not allowed to take part in the whole of creation, only parts of it.
Catholic saint and day of celebration
Nuestra Señora de Mercedes (Our Lady of Mercedes) in white costume is the Catholic saint associated with Obbatalá. Both are celebrated on 24 September.
Dwelling place
Obbatalá lives in the mountains near heaven, and in the home of his believers he lives in a white tureen on the top of the altar.
Food/offerings
White is Obbatalá’s colour and therefore both coconut, meringues and eggs are considered foods you can sacrifice to the santo of peace. When it comes to animal sacrifices, he prefers white doves and white hens.
Personality traits of initiates of Obbatalá
“There can be no doubt that I am the daughter of Obbatalá, considering I am so intelligent”, said the santera Ana. In addition to being intelligent, the sons and daughters of this santo are often considered to be calm and sober-minded, but it is also said that they are fond of drinking at parties.
Usual restrictions for initiates of Obbatalá
As with other santos, an Obbatalá-initiate should not eat the food sacrificed to this santo. Therefore everything containing coconut is particularly banned from the menu.
Colour
White for peace and quiet is Obbatalá’s colour, something which is reflected in the white tureen and the necklace composed of only white beads.
Yemayá – santo of the sea
Yemayá is one of the most powerful santos in Cuba through her connection with the sea surrounding the island. In addition she is considered to be the mother of both santos and Man.
Natural elements
She rules over the sea and all seawater in the world.
Personality traits
Yemayá is considered to be strict, but just.
Catholic saint and day of celebration
As all other santos, Yemayá is also associated with a Catholic saint. As santo of the sea, she is linked to the patron saint of the port of Havana, the Virgen de la Regla. Both are celebrated on 7 September.
Dwelling place
As santo of the sea, Yemayá lives in the sea. In the devotees’ homes she lives in a blue tureen on their altar.
Food/offerings
Yemayá’s favourite dish is pork crackling and desserts made from coconut and sweet potatoes.
Personality traits of initiates of Yemayá
Yemayá’s children are calm and harmonious. They have a motherly nature. At times they may be stubborn and their punishment is tough but fair. They can also be considered as arrogant and serious.
Usual restrictions for initiates of Yemayá
Most initiates of Yemayá are banned from travelling on the sea. The reason is that the santo of the sea is so fond of her children that she would like to draw them down into the deep with her. Her sons and daughters therefore always keep to the shallow parts of the beaches and avoid swimming pools and the ferry across the port of Havana. The problem many have is that the Church of Virgen de la Regla, also the church associated with Yemayá, lies across the harbour basin of Havana. On the ferry crossing over to the church, you will therefore often see people throwing a little offering to Yemayá in the form of money into the water so that they will be spared. Or they take the bus round the bay, a trip that takes at least four times as long as the ferry trip.
Colour
Yemayá’s colour is as blue as the sea and her necklace consists of a series of seven blue and seven crystal pearls.
Changó – santo of war and thunder
Changó is one of the most popular santos in Cuba. He is the very symbol of what a Cuban male would like to be. He is strong, dances wildly and passionately and knows the art of captivating women. Changó is furthermore fond of telling stories, though they will often surpass reality.
Natural elements
Changó owes part of his strength to the fact that he is the guardian of thunder and lightning. His power is often symbolised by a sword and an axe. The axe is also found in Nigeria, but the sword comes from the Catholic saint of Santa Barbara.
Personality traits
Changó is not only the santo of natural elements such as thunder and lightning, but also of human qualities such as strength and sensual appeal. He is also considered the divinity of dancing and music.
Catholic saint and day of celebration
It may seem strange that Changó is linked to a female Catholic saint, Santa Barbara, as he is the very manifestation of manly qualities. The explanation may lie in one of the old stories about Changó, in which he had to dress up as a woman to flee from an enemy that wanted to kill him. Both are celebrated on 4 December.
Dwelling place
It is said that Changó lives in the royal palm, which is also Cuba’s national tree. In the devotee’s home he lives in a wooden receptacle called batea, which is placed with the tureens on the altar.
Food/offerings
Changó’s favourite dishes are cooked ocra, goat, cock and green bananas. In addition he enjoys a cigar and a little rum.
Personality traits of initiates of Changó
As their father Changó, his devotees are considered to be both strong and wild. Like him they are fond of dancing and flirting, and tend to exaggerate when telling stories.
Usual restrictions for initiates of Changó
If you are initiated to Changó, you should stay away from foods that are red, as these are things you can sacrifice to Changó when life is difficult. You are also often warned against big crowds where you might get yourself into trouble.
Colour
Changó’s colour is red. The necklaces people wear when they seek his protection or wish to show they are a son or daughter of only this strong divinity, have alternating red and white beads.
Ochún – santo of love and beauty
In the same way as Changó is often characterised as a model for many Cuban men, many Cuban women would like to be just as beautiful and seductive as Ochún.
Natural elements
Ochún rules over rivers and lakes.
Personality traits
She is considered the santo of beauty and vanity, and therefore loves standing in front of a mirror. Ochún is also the santo of female sensuality and love and, perhaps most important, of fertility.
Catholic saint and day of celebration
Ochún’s status in Cuba is also reflected in the Catholic saint she is associated with, namely Caridad de Cobre, who is Cuba’s own patron saint. She is celebrated on 12 September.
Dwelling place
As ruler of fresh water and rivers, this is also where she lives. In her followers’ homes you will find her in a yellow tureen on the altar.
Food/offerings
The food Ochún prefers is as sweet and seductive as she is. She loves honey and yellow cakes, eggs and pumpkins which all symbolise women’s belly and therefore also fertility. With regard to drinks, she prefers champagne, but will also drink both beer and brown rum. The sunflower is no doubt the flower most often sold by Havana’s florists. If you have problems with your sweetheart or want one, it will often help to sacrifice a sunflower to Ochún.
Personality traits of initiates of Ochún
As their mother, the initiates of Ochún are both social, fond of parties, sensual and flirtatious. “That girl must be a daughter of Ochún, the way she is flirting!” Children of Ochún are fond of jewellery and can easily be considered vain. You will often find them looking into a mirror.
Colour
Ochún’s colour is yellow like the sunflower many Cubans offer her in the name of love. Her necklace is made up of a series of six light yellow and six dark yellow beads.
Oyá – santo of graveyard gates
Many consider Oyá as Changó’s match when it comes to strength and temper, and in the myths the two are often out at war together.
Natural elements
Oyá rules over the storms and the rough weather which often hit Cuba. She takes care of all graveyard gates and makes sure the dead stay where they are meant to. In addition, she has a brighter side as the santo in charge of the rainbow and all its beautiful colours.
Personality traits
This santo of storms is not only responsible for weather changes, but also for the changing moods of most people.
Catholic saint and day of celebration
Oyá is associated with the Catholic saint Santa Teresa. Oyá is celebrated on 15 October.
Dwelling place
As responsible for graveyard gates, that is where she will be most of the time, unless she is out flying with the storms. At home among her followers, on the other hand, she lives in a tureen painted in all the colours of the rainbow.
Food/offerings
Oyá wants aubergines from her devotees and is fond of colourful materials and silk ribbons.
Personality traits of initiates of Oyá
The sons and daughters of Oyá are known for changing moods as abruptly as their mother and the stormy weather she dominates. They are often powerful and may seem to be violent. At the same time you will never find anyone as loyal and as jealous as Oyá’s children.
Usual restrictions for initiates of Oyá
Initiates of Oyá should avoid eating aubergines, which should be saved for the day when you really need her help. Moreover, you should watch out for churchyards, as the dead may come down on you.
Colour
Though her colours are those of the rainbow, her necklace consists of a series of nine brown and nine wine-coloured pearls, the latter with white and black stripes.
Babalú Ayé – santo of diseases
Babalú Ayé is a highly respected santo. His great importance in Cuba is due to his close connection with health and disease and thereby with the idea that Santería will help you keep in good health. However, not many are initiated to this santo.
Natural elements
Babalú Ayé is the santo of all insects in the world. He is also the santo of diseases. Earlier he was particularly linked to leprosy, venereal diseases and skin problems. Today he is also associated with AIDS.
Catholic saint and day of celebration
In the same way as Babalú Ayé is an important santo in Santería, the Catholic saint San Lázaro is one of the most important saints in Cuban society because of his connection with health and disease. Every 17 December devotees of both Santería and Catholicism flock to San Lázaro’s church in Rincón outside Havana to pray to both San Lázaro and Babalú Ayé for good health and miracles. People crawl on their knees or creep along the ground, and sacrifice money, bread, candles and flowers in the church.
Dwelling place
You will find Babalú Ayé everywhere in the streets. In people’s homes he lives in a ceramic bowl decorated with feathers and herbs, often placed a little apart.
Food/offerings
Babalú Ayé eats popcorn and old, dry bread. He smokes cigars and drinks dry wine and he likes to be decorated with special medical herbs.
Colour
Babalú Ayé’s necklace has white beads with pale blue stripes
Orula – santo of divinations
Orula is the santo of divinations and the santo of the babalawos and the divination system Ifá which they belong to. Only babalawos are considered as the sons of Orula, and only men can become babalawos. Orula never comes to earth through possessions, but communicates through the babalawos and their divination instruments.
Catholic saint and day of celebration
The santo of divinations, Orula, is associated with the Catholic saint of Francis of Assisi. They are celebrated on 4 October.
Dwelling place
You can find Orula in the homes of the babalawos in a wooded receptacle, apart from the other saints.
Food/offerings
Orulo likes fine desserts, roast beef, lobster and shrimps.
Usual restrictions for babalawos
Nadie es iniciado de forma normal a Orula. Sólo los hombres que se convierten en babalawos pueden decirse que pertenecen al santo Orulo y, por lo tanto, deben respetar algunas restricciones a este respecto. Los babalawos no pueden comer langosta ni camarones, ya que este es alimento que pueden sacrificar a Orula si necesita ayuda. Tampoco podrán comer cabezas de peces, aves o animales.
Color
Los colores de Orula son el verde y el amarillo, y su collar se compone de cuentas alternas de color verde y amarillo.
Oggún – santo of metals
Oggún, junto con los santos Elegguá, Ochosi y Osun son guerreros, y los primeros cuatro santos los recibes en tu iniciación en la Santería.
Elementos naturales
Oggún es considerado el santo de todo tipo de metal.
Rasgos de personalidad
Oggún es también el santo del trabajo. Como santo de los metales, es el guardián del bisturí del cirujano. Por lo tanto, la mayoría de los cubanos rezan a Oggún antes de someterse a una operación.
santo católico
San Pedro es el santo católico relacionado con Oggún.
Lugar de la vivienda
Oggún vive en los bosques y junto a las vías del ferrocarril. En la casa del devoto lo encontrarás en el suelo, junto a los otros tres guerreros, Elegguá, Ochosi y Osun. Vive allí en un caldero de hierro lleno de objetos metálicos como cuchillos, esposas, trozos de rieles y un bisturí de cirujano, además de varias clavijas de madera.
Comida/ofrendas
Oggún prefiere la rata del bosque o la sangre de otros animales, además del licor de azúcar, cuando necesita comer y beber.
Rasgos de personalidad de los iniciados de Oggún
Los hijos e hijas de Oggún son considerados muy trabajadores, pero también salvajes ya que se provocan fácilmente por nimiedades.
Color
El collar de Oggún consta de cuentas alternativamente negras y verdes.
Ochosi – santo de la caza
Ochosi, junto con los santos Elegguá, Oggun y Osun son los guerreros de la Santería y los primeros cuatro santos que recibes al iniciarte.
Elementos naturales y cualidades humanas.
Ochosi es el santo de la caza, así como de la ley, la justicia y las prisiones.
santo católico
San Norberto es el santo católico asociado con Ochosi y ambos se celebran el 6 de junio.
Lugar de la vivienda
Ochosi vive en el bosque. En los hogares de los devotos lo encontrarás en el piso en un cuenco de cerámica junto con Elegguá, Oggún y Osun.
Comida/ofrendas
Ochosi prefiere los animales que puede cazar, además de la dulce miel de las abejas.
Rasgos de personalidad de los iniciados de Ochosi.
Las personas iniciadas en Ochosi son consideradas hospitalarias, atentas, rápidas en la acción y amantes del cambio.
Color
El collar de Ochosi está formado por cuentas amarillas y azules.