What is OCHA ceremony?

Ocha (Kariocha, making Santo): The initiation of a new priest or priestess where his/her tutelary Orisha is put on his/her head (crown) during a seven-day ceremony. The newly initiated priest/priestess then enters their Iyaworaje, their year and 7 days of purification, rejuvenation, transformation and learning.

What is OCHA religion?

Santería (Spanish pronunciation: [san̪.t̪eˈɾi.a]), also known as Regla de Ocha, Regla Lucumí, or Lucumí, is an African diasporic religion that developed in Cuba during the late 19th century. Santería is polytheistic and revolves around deities called oricha.

What is Santeria or OCHA?

Santería, (Spanish: “The Way of the Saints”) also called La Regla de Ocha (Spanish: “The Order of the Orishas”) or La Religión Lucumí (Spanish: “The Order of Lucumí”), the most common name given to a religious tradition of African origin that was developed in Cuba and then spread throughout Latin America and the United …

How much does it cost to become a Santero?

The average price to become initiated into the religion in the country ranges from $1,000 to $3,000, and the initiation ceremony includes a sacrifice of live animals, dance and “the mixing of an assortment of holy plants for seven days.” In the U.S. and Europe, becoming a santero could cost anywhere from $5,000 to …

Can someone touch your elekes?

Elekes can not be touched by anyone except for priests, and if they are touched, the person touching them must clean them. The beads all have different meanings and represent different divinities of Ifa. Elekes must be removed at night, but people who practice Ifa also wear anklets, which can’t be taken off.

Is Santería a Catholic?

Santeria combines elements of Catholicism with the Yoruba religion and many Cubans identify with both traditions and their ceremonies. The Church has been tolerant of Santeria but remains wary. “Although the Santeria religion uses Christian symbols, they’re empty of Christian content.”

Why do Santeria dress in white?

She gave the analogy of astrology in the states: you know you’re sign even if you don’t believe what’s predicted in your horoscope. From what we could observe, the Santería religion crosses race, age, and gender. Priests in training wear all white for a year before officially becoming a Santero, or a Santería priest.

What is a Santeria priest called?

Santeria has a priesthood that includes both men and women. Priesthood involves training and initiation. The priest may be a babalorisha (Father in the Spirit) or iyalorisha (Mother or Wife in the Spirit). The Spanish words for these priests are santero or santera.

Why do Santería dress in white?

What animals do Santería sacrifice?

Santería religion uses animal sacrifice They cut the throats of chickens, goats, sheep, or turtles, which are often eaten later as part of religious ceremonies involving weddings, births, and deaths.

What does making OCHA mean in oshunschild ceremony?

Making Ocha refers to the ceremony of Kariocha where the tutelary Orisha of the person is seated in the person’s crown. The Orisha is aligned with the person’s inner head. The person also receives various Orisha that are born during the ceremony that will have to be looked after and cared for.

What do you need to know about making OCHA?

Making Ocha refers to the ceremony of Kariocha where the tutelary Orisha of the person is seated in the person’s crown. The Orisha is aligned with the person’s inner head. The person also receives various Orisha that are born during the ceremony that will have to be looked after and cared for. This is a life long process.

Where is the tutelary orisha in the making of OCHA?

Making Ocha refers to the ceremony of Kariocha where the tutelary Orisha of the person is seated in the person’s crown. The Orisha is aligned with the person’s inner head.

How does the initiation work in La Regla OCHA?

Initiation In La Regla Ocha (Santeria) Initiations. While the power of the Orishas is legendary, one doesn’t become initiated for power or for money. Instead initiations in Santeria help the person to move forward in their lives, often in specific ways and impart the aché or spiritual power of the Orishas into your life.