Orisha
Agayú
Also: Aganyu, Aganjú
Pronunciation: ah-gah-YOO
An Orisha associated in many Lucumí contexts with vast force, elevation, heat, transition, and carrying great burdens.
Explore the public Orisha guides →Searchable reference
Santería glossary.
Search definitions, pronunciation aids, categories, and spelling variants. Pronunciation varies across Spanish, Lucumí, Yoruba, region, house, and speaker.
70 terms
Community
Aleyo
Also: Aleyó
Pronunciation: ah-leh-YOH
A person who has not undergone initiation into the Ocha priesthood; the term does not mean spiritually inferior.
Start with the beginner’s guide →Ancestry
Ancestors
Also: Egun, Egún
Pronunciation: EG-goon for Egún
Deceased family members and spiritual predecessors remembered through continuing relationships, memory, and responsibility.
Theology
Ashe
Also: Ase, Àṣẹ, Axé
Pronunciation: ah-SHEH; Yoruba forms vary
Sacred power, efficacy, blessing, and the capacity through which life and right action become effective.
Study public beliefs and theology →Ifá
Babalawo
Also: Babaláwo
Pronunciation: bah-bah-LAH-woh
A priest of Ifá trained within a specific lineage and body of divinatory knowledge.
Community
Babalorisha
Also: Babalosha, Babalócha
Pronunciation: bah-bah-loh-REE-shah
A male priest or elder in Regla de Ocha; titles and responsibilities vary by lineage and context.
Start with the beginner’s guide →Orisha
Babalú-Ayé
Also: Babalu Aye, Obaluaiyé
Pronunciation: bah-bah-LOO ah-YEH
An Orisha associated with illness, healing, vulnerability, humility, endurance, and communal responsibility.
Explore the public Orisha guides →Devotion
Bóveda espiritual
Also: Boveda
Pronunciation: BOH-veh-dah es-peer-ee-TWAL
A devotional arrangement associated with Spiritist practice in many communities; it is not universal to every house.
Orisha
Changó
Also: Shango, Ṣàngó, Sango
Pronunciation: chahn-GOH; Yoruba forms vary
An Orisha associated with thunder, kingship, justice, drumming, vitality, performance, and accountable power.
Explore the public Orisha guides →Ethics
Character
Also: Iwa, Ìwà
Pronunciation: EE-wah for Ìwà
The moral qualities formed and revealed through repeated choices, conduct, relationships, accountability, and correction.
Read the sacred-boundaries policy →Ethics
Coercion
Also: Spiritual coercion
Pronunciation: —
Pressure that undermines free choice through fear, threat, isolation, deception, or abuse of authority; sacred privacy does not excuse it.
Read the sacred-boundaries policy →Ethics
Confidentiality
Also: Religious confidentiality
Pronunciation: —
The duty to protect personal information shared within consultation, pastoral, community, or religious relationships, subject to stated safety and legal limits.
Read the sacred-boundaries policy →Ethics
Consent
Also: Informed consent
Pronunciation: —
A voluntary, informed agreement made with understandable information about scope, costs, risks, privacy, alternatives, and the ability to decline.
Read the sacred-boundaries policy →Divination
Consulta
Also: Consultation, Reading
Pronunciation: kohn-SOOL-tah
A religious consultation in which authorized divination may be used to seek guidance and identify responsibilities.
Study public divination education →Browse the public Odù atlas →Theology
Destiny
Also: Spiritual destiny
Pronunciation: —
A public English term used in discussions of Ori, life direction, circumstance, choice, counsel, and responsibility; it should not be reduced to fatalism.
Study public beliefs and theology →History
Diaspora
Also: African diaspora
Pronunciation: dye-AS-puh-rah
The movement and formation of communities beyond an ancestral homeland, including histories of forced displacement, survival, adaptation, and continuing connection.
Read the historical overview →What is Santería? →Divination
Diloggún
Also: Diloggun, Dilogún
Pronunciation: dee-loh-GOON
A consecrated cowrie-shell divination system whose responsible use requires initiation, training, lineage, and ethics.
Study public divination education →Browse the public Odù atlas →Practice
Ebó
Also: Ebo
Pronunciation: eh-BOH
An offering or prescribed religious work made in response to guidance, gratitude, obligation, or imbalance.
Ancestry
Egún
Also: Egun, Ancestors
Pronunciation: EG-goon
The ancestors and the continuing relationships, memory, and obligations associated with them.
Community
Elder
Also: Religious elder
Pronunciation: —
A person recognized through experience, initiation, service, knowledge, and community standing; age alone does not establish religious authority.
Start with the beginner’s guide →Orisha
Elegguá
Also: Elegbá, Eshu-Elegba, Eshú-Elegbá
Pronunciation: eh-leh-GWAH
An Orisha associated with roads, thresholds, communication, opportunity, and the consequences of choice.
Explore the public Orisha guides →Initiation
Elekes
Also: Eleke, Collares
Pronunciation: eh-LEH-kehs
Sacred beaded necklaces associated with Orisha and received through a properly authorized religious ceremony.
Take the free religious-literacy course →Community
Godparent
Also: Madrina, Padrino
Pronunciation: —
A religious mentor within a lineage relationship who carries duties of guidance, care, accountability, and continuing connection.
Start with the beginner’s guide →Initiation
Guardian Orisha
Also: Orisha tutelar, Ángel de la guarda
Pronunciation: OR-ee-shah
A public phrase for the Orisha understood to hold a defining relationship with a person; determination requires appropriate religious process.
Take the free religious-literacy course →Ifá
Ifá
Also: Ifa
Pronunciation: ee-FAH
A Yoruba and diasporic divinatory, literary, philosophical, and religious tradition associated with Orunmila.
Community
Ilé
Also: Ile, Casa religiosa
Pronunciation: ee-LEH
A religious house or community through which teaching, relationship, lineage, and obligations are organized.
Start with the beginner’s guide →Initiation
Initiation
Also: Kariocha, Crowning
Pronunciation: kah-ree-OH-chah for Kariocha
A formal religious process creating lasting spiritual, communal, and lineage responsibilities; it is not conferred by online education.
Take the free religious-literacy course →Orisha
Inle
Also: Erinle
Pronunciation: EEN-leh
An Orisha associated with rivers, fishing, healing, nourishment, beauty, and skilled care.
Explore the public Orisha guides →Divination
Interpretation
Also: Religious interpretation
Pronunciation: —
The disciplined work of relating signs, narratives, context, ethics, and questions; public definitions do not substitute for authorized training.
Study public divination education →Browse the public Odù atlas →Divination
Iré
Also: Ire
Pronunciation: ee-REH
A condition commonly discussed in relation to blessing, alignment, opportunity, or beneficial orientation within a consultation.
Study public divination education →Browse the public Odù atlas →Initiation
Itá
Also: Ita
Pronunciation: ee-TAH
Sacred personal counsel received in defined religious contexts. Personal Itá is private and is not reproduced on this site.
Take the free religious-literacy course →Community
Iyalorisha
Also: Iyalosha, Iyalócha
Pronunciation: ee-yah-loh-REE-shah
A female priest or elder in Regla de Ocha; titles and responsibilities vary by lineage and context.
Start with the beginner’s guide →Initiation
Iyawó
Also: Iyawo
Pronunciation: ee-yah-WOH
A newly initiated priest during an initial period of religious observance, formation, and responsibility.
Take the free religious-literacy course →Initiation
Kariocha
Also: Kari Ocha, Crowning
Pronunciation: kah-ree-OH-chah
A term commonly used for full initiation or crowning in Regla de Ocha.
Take the free religious-literacy course →Community
Lineage
Also: Rama, Religious lineage
Pronunciation: RAH-mah for Rama
The religious family and chain of elders through which authority, knowledge, responsibility, and relationship are transmitted.
Start with the beginner’s guide →History
Lucumí
Also: Lukumi, Lukumí
Pronunciation: loo-koo-MEE
A Cuban term connected to Yoruba-descended language, liturgy, people, and religious heritage.
Read the historical overview →What is Santería? →Community
Madrina
Also: Godmother
Pronunciation: mah-DREE-nah
A female religious godparent or spiritual mother responsible for guidance, care, and lineage relationship.
Start with the beginner’s guide →Devotion
Moyuba
Also: Mojuba, Mo júbà
Pronunciation: moh-YOO-bah
An invocation or act of honoring divine powers, ancestors, elders, and lineage before religious work.
Divination
Obí
Also: Obi, Coconut divination
Pronunciation: oh-BEE
A limited form of religious inquiry commonly associated in Lucumí contexts with prepared coconut; authorization and procedure matter.
Study public divination education →Browse the public Odù atlas →Orisha
Ochosi
Also: Oshosi, Oxóssi
Pronunciation: oh-CHOH-see
An Orisha associated with hunting, precision, justice, focus, discernment, and the disciplined pursuit of truth.
Explore the public Orisha guides →Divination
Odù
Also: Odu, Oddun
Pronunciation: oh-DOO
A body of signs, teachings, proverbs, narratives, and interpretive wisdom associated with divination.
Study public divination education →Browse the public Odù atlas →Theology
Olódùmarè
Also: Olodumare
Pronunciation: oh-loh-doo-MAH-reh
The supreme source of existence in Yoruba-derived religious thought; theological language varies across communities.
Study public beliefs and theology →Theology
Olofi
Also: Olofin
Pronunciation: oh-loh-FEE
A sacred title or theological concept used in Lucumí traditions in discussions of divine authority and creation.
Study public beliefs and theology →Orisha
Olokun
Also: Olókun
Pronunciation: oh-loh-KOON
An Orisha associated with oceanic depth, mystery, abundance, memory, and sacred realities beyond easy comprehension.
Explore the public Orisha guides →Community
Olorisha
Also: Oloricha, Santero, Santera
Pronunciation: oh-loh-REE-shah
An initiated priest devoted to an Orisha; titles, offices, and responsibilities may vary.
Start with the beginner’s guide →Theology
Orí
Also: Ori, Sacred head
Pronunciation: oh-REE
The sacred dimension of personhood, consciousness, inner head, and destiny; not merely personality or preference.
Study public beliefs and theology →Devotion
Oriki
Also: Oríkì, Praise poetry
Pronunciation: oh-ree-KEE
Praise names or poetry used to honor the qualities of a person, ancestor, place, or Orisha.
Theology
Orisha
Also: Oricha, Òrìṣà
Pronunciation: oh-REE-shah; Yoruba forms vary
A divine power or sacred personality related to nature, society, destiny, memory, and human formation.
Study public beliefs and theology →Orisha
Orunmila
Also: Orúnmila, Orula
Pronunciation: oh-roon-MEE-lah
The Orisha associated with Ifá, wisdom, destiny, counsel, and disciplined interpretation.
Explore the public Orisha guides →Orisha
Osain
Also: Osanyin, Ọ̀sanyìn
Pronunciation: oh-SAH-een
An Orisha associated with plants, medicine, ecological knowledge, concentration, and disciplined expertise.
Explore the public Orisha guides →Orisha
Oshún
Also: Ochún, Ọ̀ṣun, Oshun
Pronunciation: oh-SHOON
An Orisha associated with rivers, sweet water, beauty, fertility, diplomacy, self-worth, and relational intelligence.
Explore the public Orisha guides →Divination
Osogbo
Also: Osobo
Pronunciation: oh-SOH-boh
A condition commonly discussed in relation to difficulty, imbalance, obstacle, or a challenging orientation revealed in consultation.
Study public divination education →Browse the public Odù atlas →Orisha
Oyá
Also: Oya, Ọya
Pronunciation: oh-YAH
An Orisha associated with wind, change, the marketplace, courage, transition, and ancestral thresholds.
Explore the public Orisha guides →Community
Padrino
Also: Godfather
Pronunciation: pah-DREE-noh
A male religious godparent or spiritual father responsible for guidance, care, and lineage relationship.
Start with the beginner’s guide →Narrative
Patakí
Also: Pataki, Patakín
Pronunciation: pah-tah-KEE
A sacred teaching story communicating theology, ethics, consequence, relationship, and interpretive wisdom.
Browse the Patakí library →Devotion
Praise name
Also: Oríkì, Oriki
Pronunciation: oh-ree-KEE
A name or phrase honoring qualities, histories, relationships, or achievements; sacred and performative uses require context.
Devotion
Prayer
Also: Oración
Pronunciation: oh-rah-SYOHN for oración
Religious address that may express reverence, gratitude, petition, remembrance, or moral attention; forms and permissions vary.
Narrative
Proverb
Also: Saying
Pronunciation: —
A concise teaching expression whose meaning depends on context, interpretation, and the situation in which it is applied.
Browse the Patakí library →Community
Rama
Also: Branch, Lineage branch
Pronunciation: RAH-mah
A branch or line of religious descent within the larger tradition.
Start with the beginner’s guide →Initiation
Reception
Also: Religious reception
Pronunciation: —
A public umbrella term for receiving a sacred relationship or item through an authorized religious process; sequence and meaning vary by house and lineage.
Take the free religious-literacy course →History
Regla de Ocha
Also: Ocha, Regla de Orisha
Pronunciation: REH-glah deh OH-chah
A widely used name for the Afro-Cuban religious tradition commonly called Santería.
Read the historical overview →What is Santería? →Ethics
Religious freedom
Also: Free exercise
Pronunciation: —
The right to hold and practice religion without targeted governmental discrimination, subject to the legal frameworks of a particular jurisdiction.
Read the sacred-boundaries policy →Theology
Road
Also: Camino, Orisha road
Pronunciation: kah-MEE-noh for camino
A public term sometimes used for a particular manifestation, title, path, or expression associated with an Orisha; meanings and applications vary by lineage.
Study public beliefs and theology →Ethics
Sacred boundary
Also: Sacred privacy, Restricted knowledge
Pronunciation: —
The ethical distinction between public religious education and knowledge held within authorized relationships, initiation, or lineage.
Read the sacred-boundaries policy →History
Santería
Also: Santeria, La Ocha
Pronunciation: sahn-teh-REE-ah
A widely used name for an Afro-Cuban religious tradition rooted in Yoruba heritage and shaped through diaspora, community, and historical survival.
Read the historical overview →What is Santería? →Ethics
Scope
Also: Service scope
Pronunciation: —
A clear statement of what education, consultation, product, or service includes, excludes, costs, and is qualified to address.
Read the sacred-boundaries policy →History
Syncretism
Also: Religious syncretism
Pronunciation: SIN-kreh-tiz-um
A scholarly term for interaction among religious forms; in Afro-Cuban history it can illuminate adaptation but may oversimplify complex, contested relationships.
Read the historical overview →What is Santería? →Initiation
Warriors
Also: Guerreros, Los Guerreros
Pronunciation: geh-REH-rohs
A common public term for a set of received sacred relationships whose preparation and ceremony belong to authorized religious practice.
Take the free religious-literacy course →Orisha
Yemayá
Also: Yemoja, Yemaya
Pronunciation: yeh-mah-YAH
An Orisha associated in Cuban Lucumí practice with the sea, motherhood, memory, depth, protection, and sustaining care.
Explore the public Orisha guides →History
Yoruba
Also: Yorùbá
Pronunciation: YOR-oo-bah; regional forms vary
A people, language family, and broad cultural-historical world centered in present-day southwestern Nigeria and neighboring regions; it is not one uniform religious community.
Read the historical overview →What is Santería? →A note on language
These phonetic aids are approximate starting points, not a replacement for hearing fluent speakers, elders, liturgy, or language teachers.
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