From the Book "Santeria" The Religion..by M.G.Wippler

WHAT IS SANTERIA..

Like most established religions, Santeria worships a central creative force,
known as Oloddumare, who corresponds to the concept of God.
The orishas were created by Oloddumare to manifest his will and
express his essence in nature. They are also the guides and protectors of mankind.
The orishas are not really gods, but the children or servants of Oloddumare.
In this sense, Santeria is a monotheistic religion, rather than a polytheistic one.
The orishas are not worshipped as gods but as "guardian angels."
One of the central beliefs of Santeria is that every individuals life
is overseen by one of the orishas. It does not matter whether the person
believes or not in the orishas. He or she has that divine protection and guidance
all of his or her life. This orisha is known as that persons guardian angel or,
alternatively, as his or her father or mother, depending on whether the orisha
is male or female. When an individual chooses Santeria as his religion,
one of the first things he does is to ascertain who is his personal orisha.
This is done through one of the divination systems used in the religion.
From the moment he learns the name of his orisha, the practitioner of Santeria
petitions that particular deity constantly and assiduously for help and
guidance in his life. He considers himself the child of that orisha,
and if he ever decided to become a santero, he can only be initiated
into the mysteries of that particular orisha.

Here's a great site that helps explain Santeria...
What is Santeria?

THE ORISHAS - Gods of Santeria

To the santeros as well as the Yoruba, God is know as Oloddumare.
The origin of this name is difficult to trace, but its connotation is
that of One whose essence transcends our ability to comprehend it.
Oloddumare is imminent, omnipotent, and omniscient. He is the All,
and greater than the All. Oloddumare is not an orisha
because He was never created. He has always existed.
There are other names associated with Oloddumare. As Olorun,
He is the owner of orun (the heavens), as well as the deity whose abode
is in heaven. According to the Yoruba scholar J. Omosade Awolalu,
the Yoruba use Olorun Oloddumare as a composite name for the Creator,
but never Oloddumare Olorun. The double name means the Supreme Being
whose abode is in heaven and who is almighty and dependable.
To the santeros, Oloddumare is God as the Almighty and Olorun is God
as the Creator on the material world. Orun in Santeria is identified
with both heaven and the sun. There is a special ceremony known as
nangale or nangare, which is a mystical greeting to the sun,
usually conducted very early in the morning. The bablawos never forget
to greet the sun each morning with extended arms.
The greeting is usually accompanied with a petition.

What is Magick?	Magickal Paths
Spells	Tarot
Truthful Legends	Chat Room
Recommended Readings	Occult Links

cassy@prodigy.net
© Copyright 1999 Cassandra