Santeria

History of Santeria

Santeria developed in Cuba by Africans from Benin and Nigeria who were sent to Cuba because of the slave trade. They mixed their Yoruba religious traditions with elements of the Catholic faith of the plantation owners who were trying to convert the enslaved Africans. The Africans accepted some of the Christian traditions, but mainly adhered to their own religion. Thus, Santeria was created. It was a secret religion for decades, but has since revealed itself. Santeria is most popular in Cuba, but has spread to other countries especially since the 1959 Cuban Revolution. In the past, Santeria was regarded a religion of the uneducated and poor in the Caribbean, but now it also has a middle-class professional following in countries like the United States. The revolutionary Cuban government was critical of Santeria at first, but eventually started to tolerate the religion.