Santería
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Santería, also known as Regla de Ocha, Regla Lucumí, or Lucumí, is an African diaspora religion that developed in Cuba during the late 19th century. It arose amid a process of syncretism between the t
A group of Santería practitioners performing the Cajón de Muertos ceremony in Havana in 2011
A figure at the Templo Yemalla, an ilé (house of worship) devoted to the oricha Yemaja in Trinidad, Cuba
One of the most prominent oricha is Eleguá, who is represented by small cement heads kept in the home.
Offerings before a statue of Saint Lazarus in Havana; this saint represents the oricha Babalú Ayé
Haitian Vodou
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Haitian Vodou is an African diasporic religion that developed in Haiti between the 16th and 19th centuries. It arose through a process of syncretism between several traditional religions of West and C
Santería
…spread Santería abroad. The late 20th century saw growing links between Santería and related traditions in West Africa and the Americas, such as Haitian Vodou and Brazilian Candomblé. Since the late 20th century, some practitioners have emphasized a "Yorubization" process to remove Roman Catholic influences…
A sequined drapo flag, by Haitian artist Georges Valris, depicting the vèvè symbol of the lwa Loko Atison; these symbols play an important role in Vodou ritual.
Vodou paraphernalia for sale at the Marché de Fer (Iron Market) in Port-au-Prince, Haiti
An oungan (Vodou priest) with another practitioner at a ceremony in Haiti in 2011
A selection of ritual items used in Vodou practice on display in the Canadian Museum of Civilization