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of creation throughout the universe.  He is known as the orisha of purity, and Olorun is similar to the

Judeo Christian concept of  "the Word."  

Another orisha, Ifa, is the supreme orisha in matters of everyday life. He is consulted in all

important occasions and decisions.  The way he is consulted is through a diviner.  The diviner of Ifa is

called the babalawo.  The babalawo is the chief priest of the tribe, because of his or her relationship to

Ifa.  After the birth of a child, the parents go to the babalawo in order to find out which orisha the child

will worship, as well as the child's lucky stone, number, etc.  Lower priests are used to consult all other

orishas.  Other orishas include: Elegba, Chango, Yemaya, Oshun, and a host of others.  There are any 

where from 200 to over 1500 orishas known or spoken of.

During the mid 16th Century, the fabric of the Yoruba people was torn as the European slave

trade began.  Between the 16th and 18th centuries, millions of African peoples were taken to the

Americas, the majority being from Western Africa, where the Yoruba people lived.  By the middle of the

17th Century, the trade had evolved into a business.  Slaves were taken to the Caribbean Islands; the

slaves were "broken in," meaning they were de moralized and de humanized.  Afterwards, they were

sent to the mainland and sold.  Each of the European traders (Spanish, French, English) had different

methods of preparing their slaves, mainly depending on their religious backgrounds.  The traders were

Christian, either Protestant or Catholic.

The Protestant slave traders were concerned with the "humanization" of their slaves.  Each was

to be baptized and taught the religion, but with an emphasis on teachings that reinforced slave labor.

The slaves were under strict rule to practice only Christianity, and they were not allowed to practice

native religions.  The Catholic traders also baptized their slaves, but they did not concern themselves

heavily with teaching doctrine.  Although treatment of the slaves was virtually the same, the differences

between Protestants and Catholics were the defining points in how the slaves' religions developed.

Protestants believe there is one god, who is the only deity to be worshipped, although He exists in three

different natures.  They believe that the only means needed to reach God is through Jesus Christ, with

no outside or human intercessions necessary.

This is where the Protestants and Catholics split.  Catholics also believe in one god, existent in

three natures. However, Jesus Christ is not seen as the only means for intercession.  They are known

for their use of holy sacraments in order to be closer to God.  Also, and most importantly, they believe

in the veneration of saints.  These are people who, during their lifetime, were seen as exemplars of

Christianity.  Each saint is given a day to be honored during the year. For the more popular saints, large

celebrations are held.  It is because of this practice of venerating saints that a number of slaves from

the Yoruba tribes were able to secretly practice their native religion.

As Catholic slaves began learning about the different saints, they began to see similarities

between them and the orishas.  Although they were physically different, with different names, some of

the characteristics attributed to them were similar, if not identical, to the orishas.  Some orishas previ 

ously mentioned and their saintly counterparts are: Obatala, who is associated with Our Lady of Mercy;

Ifa, associated with Saint Anthony of Padua; Elegba, associated with Saint Peter; Chango, associated with

Saint Barbara; Yemaya, associated with Our Lady of Regla; and Oshun, associated with Our Lady of La

Caridad del Cobre. The slaves believed that the orishas traveled along with them, disguised as saints.  

African Religion in the Americas     Terrance Graham

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