Regla de Ocha
The name the tradition uses for itself, alongside Santería.
Regla de Ocha, also Lucumí, is the name used within the tradition more often than Santería.
The term santería, the way of the saints, points to the Catholic layer behind which the religion was partly concealed in Cuba. Regla de Ocha points to the Yoruba origin itself.
Both names are in use and both are current, but the difference says something about perspective: seen from outside, or from within.
Related terms
- Orisha The forces in Santería, each with their own domain and imagery.
- Aché The force that makes things happen: life force, capacity and passage.
- Egun The ancestors, continually present and often visible in dreams.
- Orí The head as the seat of consciousness and destiny.
- Diloggún Divination with cowrie shells; how the tradition answers questions.
- Padrino en madrina The initiated godparent who guides you within a house.
- Bóveda The place at home where the ancestors are remembered.
- Yemayá The Orisha of the sea and motherhood.
- Ochún The Orisha of sweet water, love and self-worth.
- Changó The Orisha of thunder, fire and dance.
- Oyá The Orisha of wind, storm and change, and gatekeeper of the cemetery.
- Ogún The Orisha of iron, work and clearing the way.
- Elegguá The Orisha of the crossroads, roads and beginnings: he opens and closes paths.