A defining characteristic for Cuba which emerged in the 17th Century is the Afro Cuban religious tradition of Santeria, which impacted religion, music and nearly all of Cuban’s society. The beliefs of Santeria rooted from Yoruba, a land in West Africa. During times of slavery in the 17th century the belief system of Santeria journeyed to Cuba. Despite many attempts of eradication, as there are immense misunderstandings, such as Santeria being witchcraft, Santeria has thrived based on the foundational commonality of Catholic Saints and Yoruban deities. The name Yoruban unearthed representing the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. Yoruba religion is typically affiliated with the deity Oshun which is affiliated with water, purity, love, fertility, and love.
As Afro Cuban Santeria is not a tradition that can be practiced without community, which sheds light to my topic of Godparents in Santeria, it brings a universal parallel understanding from the history of Native Americans in terms of shamans and indigenous practices. A Godmother or a Godfather, a madrina or padrino, have extensive knowledge of the religion, as they are the guide to a godchild’s guidance into the religion and practices. A madrina or padrino of Santeria are particularly important as they are custodians of ache, meaning the energy source in the world. Ache is a philosophical concept originated with Yoruba, mentioned early, which a madrina or padrino conceive the power to make things happen and produce change. When a madrina or padrino carry out ceremonies, rituals, songs, drumming and prayers, and are asking for divine intervention they are in a sense the bridge between Orun, meaning heaven, and Aye, meaning earth.
Santeria has many contextual layers commencing with the folklore saying ‘everything happens for a reason.’ In this tradition this saying manifest in a way that we don’t get to choose who our madrina, padrino, or godparent. If you believe in energy, there’s a universal energy that guides a godchild to their godparent. A Godparent in Santeria initiates a godchild and provides a divination that is applicable for the rest of your life, and the divination is a culmination of spiritual wisdom, specific stories, and proverbs - sort of a personal bible. Godparents in Santeria pave a spiritual path within the teaching of the deities in Santeria, as a godchild can have more than one deity.
Godparents are immensely knowledgeable in the tradition hence why building a godparent-godchild relationship is essential. A godchild will seek the knowledge of a godparent through a consultation. Consultations are an opportunity where a godparent will advise a godchild on the best guidance for their course in life, which is advice received from the deities or guardian angel/s. For example, there’s a guardian called Yemaya, which means the ocean. Yemaya being the deity of the ocean is connected to the entire world and is also considered a warrior, fearless, caring, and loving. Obata is another deity who signifies elements of patience, creativity, and laugher. Within the extensive knowledge Godparents entail within Santeria there are core beliefs one being Asche, meaning life force. Secondly, Iwa Pele meaning gentle character, which Iwa Pele is a resounding lesson from godparents, as Iwa Pele signifies living with good grace which gives purpose in life, and in being spiritual beings it is our responsibility to live the best life we were blessed with.
