1. Santeria BY: Tyler Heckard

2. Founded Approximately 1515, in the region of West Africa

3. History Santeria or "La Regla Lucumm" as it's also known originated in the region of west Africa. "La Regla Lucumm" is the traditional faith of the Yoruba inhabitants. This religion sprung from the traditional slave trades that occurred in early days of the religion. The Yoruban natives were abducted from their country and unwillingly transported to the Caribbean countries of Cuba, Haiti and Brazil, Trinidad, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic among other Caribbean islands.

4. History (continued) Santeria is a combination of religious traditions or beliefs that combines a similar African traditional religion. Santeria originated in the country of Cuba and Brazil. This religion is a combination of the traditional Yoruba faith and the worship of Catholic saints.

5. Orisha An Orisha is spiritual being or presence that is interpreted as one of the manifestations of GOD (Olofi) within the Santeria Religion or faith. There are 9 Orishas.

6. Yoruba Yoruban's are members of a West African Community based in the region of southwest Nigeria

7. Eleggua Recognized as the keeper of the roads and the world. He is the gatekeeper that stands in the path of life and the celestial grounds. He is the interpreter or median between the Orishas, Humanity and "Olorum", or in other words "God". When a member of this faith wants to pray they initially call upon his presence as he is the interpreter or the gatekeeper between humanity and the "Orisha". Eleggua has strong powers, without his authority nothing can be done in the celestial grounds or in the human society. Eleggua has several associations to Roman Catholic Saints. Two of the more common associations are the image to the left ( "El Nino de Atocha" or Saint Anthony). The colors associated to this orisha or spiritual figure are Black and Red and the number associated to him is the number three.

8. Olorum Is represented as the "Father" or God of the sky he is viewed as a God of tranquility, purity and harmony. He is normally and strongly linked with the color white and has power and control over all white elements such as the brain, bones, teeth, clouds and much more. He is known to be the spiritual father of Obatala and Odudua.

9. Obatala Is known as the parent of the Orishas and all human kind. This spiritual being is known to be the creator of the world and is a strong enforcer of justice. Obatala is strongly associated with characteristics of Wisdom, Peace, Moral, Compassion, Ethics and Purity. The saint he represents is "Our lady of Mercy”.The colors that are associated with him are white but he is above all other colors in the spectrum and the number associated to his paths is the number eight as he is the parent or creator of the Orishas and Human Kind. Obtatala has a number of "Caminos" or "Paths", eight of them are females and eight of them are males.

10. Other Orishas Yemaya Oya Babalu Aye Ochosi Oggun Chango

11. Celebrities Jennifer Lopez Ozzie Guillen