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RVazquez:
What do you hope that people walk away with from this book?
Vega:
That the Santeria belief system, Lucumi, has a long and proud history and that our people have had the cultural courage to remain grounded in their belief in spite of the horrific onslaught by Euro-centric oppressive systems for us to deny our African traditions.
RVazquez:
The popular concept of syncretism is that the person believes in and practices Catholicism and Santería. How frequently would you say that a person follows both faiths, instead of simply masking one with the other? Is it possible to be a faithful Catholic (disregarding the church's stance on Santería) and an initiate?
Vega:
Remember that Catholicism was imposed as part of the process of enslavement. In addition enslaved Africans that were baptized brought a higher price than those that were considered "bozales or Negros de Nación." In addition remember that if enslaved Africans were caught practicing their African beliefs they were abused, jailed and killed. Therefore in their ingenuity Africans hid their beliefs behind the images of Catholic saints. Catholicism and Santeria are two different systems. Over the years some practitioners have continued to worship both systems. Since African religions have a history of incorporating the practices of other traditions these practitioners do not find a conflict as do
Christian practices which tend to be more intolerant.
RVazquez:
People try to understand the Orisha in terms of Christian theology and tradition. Is there a brief comparison of the Orisha in terms of God, angels and the saints?
Vega:
The Yoruba practices predate Christian theology therefore the comparison should be the other way around. Each Orisha reminds us that the forces of nature are central to our existence. That each Orisha possesses the ability to make things happen in our lives-ache. Further that each represents a history of legends -
patakís-that apply to how we live in a civil society.
RVazquez:
If they are not widely practiced together, why do the images of the Catholic Saints persist in the religion?
Vega:
One of the elder practitioners in the religion, babalawo and master musician Julito Collazo told me that practitioners are grateful to the saints for assisting in the protection of the Orishas and
practitioners historically. To honor them is not a conflict.
RVazquez:
How much knowledge of Yoruba language is necessary for the general initiate?
Vega:
Most initiates in the Americas learn the basic prayers and concepts. As they actively participate in rituals and sacred activities they begin to acquire the language. Remember there are variations in the Americas. In Brazil, Trinidad, Haiti, Cuba and the United States there are differences yet similar.
RVazquez:
You talk often about the books of the babalawos and elders. Are there, or will there ever be a publishing of such works or is secrecy still the norm?
Vega:
I took great care to explain the issue of privacy because secrecy implies something else. I feel that you would not present graduate studies to a first grader. As in any other belief system there is information that is available to the general public and there is other information that is available to initiates. Think about how governments function. Some information is protected.
RVazquez:
What advice would you give to those seeking to adhere to Santería, but live in remote areas away from those able to guide them?
Vega:
Study and read. There is now a significant amount of information now available. However the system is grounded on a mentor system of passing on information. Eventually someone who is interested in following and learning should have a mentor. It is in the practice and community activities that learning takes place.
RVazquez:
How should someone choose another to guide them? Is there a risk of dishonesty?
Vega:
As you choose a doctor or a dentist referrals are important. It is important that the background, functioning of the potential mentor be
examined. There is a risk of dishonesty among all occupations. It is important therefore important to take time in evaluating the work and accomplishments of anyone that you want services from.
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