SanteriaAfrican Religion
Santeria is a syncretic religion that combines elements of African traditional religions brought to the Americas by enslaved Africans with Roman Catholicism. It originated in the Caribbean and is practiced primarily in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and parts of the United States. Central to Santeria is the worship of Orishas, deities or spirits that represent different aspects of the natural world and human experience. Practitioners may engage in rituals such as drumming, dancing, and animal sacrifice to honor and communicate with the Orishas. Santeria also includes practices such as divination, healing, and magic.