Santeria is a religion originating out of Cuba from the sixteenth century, and incorporates elements of African religion, Roman Catholicism and French Spiritism. It is an important religious influence in Cuba whose beliefs and practices have integrated into many cultures including, but not limited to, the United States. The worship of the saints, or Santeria, has a relatively new history, coming into existence by help of the slave trade and innovating thinking of the people held captive. The followers of Santeria persevered against European attempts to strip them of their traditions. The slaves developed their religion as a challenge to being colonized, and “...as a counter hegemonic challenge to the social, economic, and political order
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319). A thriving culture flourished in Africa before the Spaniards came to colonize and consequently decimate the land and alter the landscape. The native people who lived there were faced with forced labor, violence and intimidation until disease and war decimated their population. When the Spaniards were faced with the results of their actions, they were forced to turn to another land for physical labor. Africa was the mother land, steaming with ancient civilizations, and the Spaniards who came to find cheap labor saw possibility on the backs of the sun scratched African people. Slavery being common in among African tribes, the leaders felt no constrictions in making deals with the pale faced travelers who provided weapons and other specialities that the Africans were mostly unfamiliar with. So in turn, the Europeans and Spaniards packed up slave ships and sent Africans to various parts of the world into a life of hard labor. The number of people transported to the New World as slaves were, “...an estimated 10 million Africans… approximately 702,00 were sent to Cuba…” (Lefever, p. 319). As in all the countries were African slaves were taken, masters in Cuba introduced a new religion to the Africans; Roman Catholicism, and consequently outlawed and demonized the traditional African religions of the past. According to When the Saints Go Riding in: …show more content…
It has shaped the course of history and provided inspiration to billions of people. Whether it is Santeria, Christianity or Hinduism, it is important to not deny any religion the respect of being legitimized and free from harassment. Religious tolerance is important in our society, America was founded on the idea, while not always aligning to its belief. History has shown that the lack of religious freedom is a disastrous one, showing in centuries of wars and inhumane crimes that still persist today. In order to become more tolerant, always remember to have an open mind when dealing with different religious practices no matter how foreign or strange they may seem to you. Religion is a fundamental part of human life and the belief of a higher being or purpose is something that often holds societies together and give lives meaning. No one should take that system of belief away or make a mockery of someone 's
319). A thriving culture flourished in Africa before the Spaniards came to colonize and consequently decimate the land and alter the landscape. The native people who lived there were faced with forced labor, violence and intimidation until disease and war decimated their population. When the Spaniards were faced with the results of their actions, they were forced to turn to another land for physical labor. Africa was the mother land, steaming with ancient civilizations, and the Spaniards who came to find cheap labor saw possibility on the backs of the sun scratched African people. Slavery being common in among African tribes, the leaders felt no constrictions in making deals with the pale faced travelers who provided weapons and other specialities that the Africans were mostly unfamiliar with. So in turn, the Europeans and Spaniards packed up slave ships and sent Africans to various parts of the world into a life of hard labor. The number of people transported to the New World as slaves were, “...an estimated 10 million Africans… approximately 702,00 were sent to Cuba…” (Lefever, p. 319). As in all the countries were African slaves were taken, masters in Cuba introduced a new religion to the Africans; Roman Catholicism, and consequently outlawed and demonized the traditional African religions of the past. According to When the Saints Go Riding in: …show more content…
It has shaped the course of history and provided inspiration to billions of people. Whether it is Santeria, Christianity or Hinduism, it is important to not deny any religion the respect of being legitimized and free from harassment. Religious tolerance is important in our society, America was founded on the idea, while not always aligning to its belief. History has shown that the lack of religious freedom is a disastrous one, showing in centuries of wars and inhumane crimes that still persist today. In order to become more tolerant, always remember to have an open mind when dealing with different religious practices no matter how foreign or strange they may seem to you. Religion is a fundamental part of human life and the belief of a higher being or purpose is something that often holds societies together and give lives meaning. No one should take that system of belief away or make a mockery of someone 's