African-Based Religions

There are a variety of interesting sites focused on African and Afro-Caribbean Religions. This page has pulled together links I find interesting. Some of these sites I agree with, others I don’t–all are interesting. But don’t believe everything you read!

My introduction to Santería discusses the basic cosmology of Orisha religion in the New World.

My bibliography of African-based religious lists books you may find interesting. The listed books should be generally available in the larger bookstores and
libraries.

My FAQ answers many of the questions I have received concerning these
religions. Please check it out before sending me email requesting help.

Orisha, Ifa, Palo Monte

    • Orisha List
      Home Page      . The official webpage for the OrishaList mail list. This site has recently moved and is in the process of being re-installed. On former site the contributors have put together a wide ranging page with lots of interesting articles. This was the source for the readings of the year from Oyotunji Village.
    • OrishaNet.
      Another view of Lukumi put together by Baba Eyiogbe, a babalawo in Seattle. More good information here, including a Lucumi Vocabulary page. Worth a visit for the beautiful picture of Oshun on the opening page.
    • Egba Lukumi. Egbe Lukumi’s mission is to foster brotherhood among the Lukumi religious community and promote awareness of the Lukumi religion, its values, principles and tradition for the benefit of the members and society at large. Site includes mission statement, application to join egba and mailing list, calendar of events and links to other sites. You can support Egba Lukumi by using their Book and Record Store to order from Amazon.com.
    • Church of the Lukumi Babalu Aye. Home of the first Santeria/Lukumi church recognized in the United States. CLBA was the defendent in June1993 unanimous Supreme Court ruling against the City of Hialeah.
    • Ashe Online.
      Journal focusing on the tradition of Orisha worship among members of African-American communities in the U.S with an emphasis on the New York City area. Sponsored by The Institute for African-American Folk Culture, Inc. a NYC based cultural center dedicated to presenting and preserving folk traditions in the African-American community. Includes essays, links to other sites and a marketplace. There is no guest book but you can sign up for quarterly updates of live learning discussions (elders, artists and researchers of the tradition in discussion over a hot meal, in a relaxing setting, in a supportive environment).
    • Mo Júbà Òrisà: Yorùbá, the
      Ancient West African Spiritual Tradition
    • Ifa Foundation.
      Home page for Philip Neimark and the Ifa Fondation of North America. ‘Nuff said.
    • The Ancestral Call. An introduction to Yoruba-Ifa religion by an African-American Babalawo and Priest of Ogun.
    • Oyotunji Village.
      The Kingdom of Oyotunji African Village, founded in 1970 by His Royal Highness Oseijeman Adefunmi I and his followers is the only traditional African Village in the United States.
    • Baba Falade’s Afro-Caribbean Spirituality. Another babalawo shares his views of Ifa, and Palo Monte and O.T.O.A. (Ordo Templi Orientis Antiqua), a Gnostic-magical organization
    • Henke’s Orisa Page. Dedicated to Orisa worship, in Africa and in diaspora, and things related to it. Includes information about Ifa, Santería, Vaudun and Candomble from Gothenburg, Sweden.
    • Ijo Orunmila.
      “Spreading Ifa to All of Olodumare’s Children”. Presented by Fashina Falade, Chief Olubikin of Ile-Ife. This site is more “African” than the Lukumi sites listed above but it also includes articles about practice in the New World.
    • Ifa Link. Interpretation of Ifaism and Yoruba religious traditions from Fa’lofin of Cultural Expressions. Site is overly endowed with sound files and Java script so a fast connection is practically mandatory.
    • Orisha Consciousness Movement International is dedicated to the establishment of an orisha -worshipping community along the lines of traditional Yoruba forms; the hierarchical structure of Oyo headed by a divinely-inspired leader called the “Oba” being their model and
      inspiration. OCM accepts the teachings of its founder Baba Raul Canizares and his successors to the office of Oba to be its defining dogma.
    • The Nederlands Ifa Genootschap has no connections with any American Ifa/Orisha tradition like Lukumi or Santeria, nor does it wish to maintain and/or establish such connections. It is incorporated in The Netherlands as a Church. According to them Nederlands Ifa Genootschap bases its teachings solely upon African traditions and on those memories of, and practices from, ancestral Africa that still survive in Europe. Liberal Ifa/Orisha Forum also run by Jaap Verduijn.
    • Folkcuba.com explores Afro-cuban art, religion and history. Site includes a gallery, store, photographs of Cuban life.
    • The Organization for Lukumi Unity. Keep up with the efforts of a group of Oloshas, Babalawos and Alejos to see all practitioners of the Lukumi Culture and Religion come together in brotherhood! OLU Discussion run by Vladimir Reznik.
    • Botanicas are important to the religion. Check out the UCLA Folklore Gallery: Botanicas in Southern Califorina for more information.
    • Roots and Rooted “For those that love Traditional African Religion.
    • P.A.L.O. (Palo and Lukumi Organization). Site aims at providing unbiased, accurate and truthful information regarding the belief systems of Espiritismo, Palo Monte Mayombe (La Regla Congo) and Santeria (La Regla Lukumi). The information found on this website is specifically intended for these faithful followers. Run by Nelson Laurenti – Tata and Omo Yemaya Asesu.
      The primary purpose of the Palo And Lukumi Organization is to provide
      assistance to those practitioners of our faiths, initiated or not, that
      are in need of counseling or need help related to their initiations
      where they no longer have the guidance of an elder or feel they can not
      trust their elders.
    • InquiceWeb.
      A look at Kongo-derived religions particularly those practiced in the
      Americas.

Vodou

      • Sosyete Vodou.
        Soyete FlË d’Abome (Flower of Abomey Society), commonly called Kay Aboudja, a traditional house of Vodou, headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana. According to their webpage, this house exists to serve the lwa of African Ginea in an authentic fashion, adhering to the strictest orthodoxy in our practice of the Vodou religion thereby maintaining it in its traditional form as it has been handed down to us from West Africa, through Haiti, & into the Diaspora.
      • Dominican vodou,
        (budu, voodoo, vuodon, vudu, vodon, vodun, voodoun, vodoun, vodoou), is entirely Haitian vodou.
      • Calling on the Gods: the Embodied Aesthetic of Haitian Vodou. Interesting site created by a sympathetic non-initiate.
      • Temple of Yehwe.
        An offshoot of Le Peristyle de Mariani which was founded in 1974 in Mariani, Haiti by Max-G. Beauvoir. Both institutions have been
        dedicated to the understanding and to the promotion of Vodoun as the Religion and the Culture of the Haitian people.
      • Vodoun Culture. Attempt to show the breadth and diversity of the vodoun soul. Site is somewhat dense and fails to explain much of its information. Not the best site to begin and exploration but certainly worth your time.
      • West African Dahomean Vodoun. Focused on Vodoun among the Dahomey of West Africa. ATR (African Spirituality) Forum also run by Mamaissii Dansi Hounon.
      • Roots Without End.A moderated forum for the discussion of Haitian Vodou, Haiti, and related topics. Run by Mambo Racine Sans Bout, this forum enjoys participation by Houngans, Mambos, Lukumi practitioners, shamans, and other fascinating people.
      • The Vodou Page. Mambo Racine Sans Bout’s home page.
      • National African Religion Congress. Dedicated to establishing the
        unification and reconciliation of religions of the African Diaspora.
        Chairwoman Gro Mambo Angela Novanyon, Idizol.
      • Meaning of “soul” in Vodou. Richard Hodges’ introduction to the religion of Vodou.
      • Voodoo Energy. A discussion and learning list for those who appreciate the energetic power of voudon, santeria, etc (all known as ‘voodoo’ on this list in order to welcome and celebrate all forms!). Not so much a religious forum as a study forum for those who see the use of voodoo as a way of connecting with, using and transforming the natural energies of the universe, with the potential to use them for good. Parallels with shamanism and other energetic forms are also welcomed as subjects
        for discussion. Not, however, a good list if you’re looking for ‘black
        magic’, orgies, zombies, human sacrifice and other Hollywood-isms!!!
      • La Ceremonie.
        This is a forum on the topic of Vodou, run by a woman with wide ranging and eclectic interests, and a very positive attitude! She describes La Ceremonie as a public chatroom that encourages discussions and exchange of information in the practices of Voodoo and African American Folk Magic.
      • Carrefour.
        Honor! Carrefour is dedicated to the practice of Vodoun, Voodoo, Vodou, Voudoun, Vaudoun, or however you spell it! 🙂 Seekers, syncretists, mambos, houngans, longtime practitioners, and those who love us are all welcome! No racism or other bigotry, sex chat, or harassment are allowed, and this is NOT anyone’s mission field, but anything not forbidden is allowed. Keep it real, y’all! Ayibobo! Keywords: Magic, magick, New Orleans, Haiti
      • Vodou U.K.
        Many people in the UK practice or are interested in Vodou (voudo,
        vaudu, voodoo, whatever…!) but struggle to get information, make
        contacts, develop a community. i am a priest of Haitian Vodou (Bon Houngan Reve We Chemen Gine) and as far as i know, the only white priest in the UK. Want information on Vodou? Want to share ideas? Talk? Debate? Commune? This is the place for anyone in the UK to get together – black, white, male, female, straight, gay, whatever – no restrictions here! i may also leading UK groups to Haiti to initiate if you are interested. So all of you who have suffered in the past from lack of outlets, resources and services in the UK – no more excuses, just join up!
      • The Voodoo Spirtiual Temple. The purpose of the Temple is to educate the community about New Orleans Voodoo and to dispel the myths and misconceptions associated with Voodoo since time immemorial. Gives lectures and tours to the New Orleans cemeteries.
      • The Perfect Voodoo Page. Spells, Potions and Voodoo Information the Right Way. Dedicated to improving your quality of life through voodoo by providing only helpful and well written documents from experts. Contains information relating to actual voodoo religion, hoodoo, Marie Laveau, spells and charms and much more.
      • Aeonic Voudoo. This list is for users of “The New Orleans Voodoo Tarot” by Louis Martinié and Sallie Ann Glassman (published by Destiny Books). It is for the serious discussion of Vodu, sorcery, shamanism, Witchcraft, Santeria, and the Tarot. You must own and be using this deck in order to participate in this list. Please state when you join that you have the deck in question.

Candomble

Sites Devoted to a Particular Orisha

      • Erinlé Home Page. Focuses on Erinle/Inle along with related Orisha. Site discusses practices in Africa, Cuba and Brazil. Very nicely done with beautiful photos of various shrines.
      • Oya Discussion. Has good basic information about Oya although I would disagree about the best books for beginners. If you want to know more about this Orisha look for Judith Gleason’s Oya: In Praise of the Goddess.
      • Yemaya Page. Dedicated to Yemaya Achaba and all the daughters and sons of the Mother of Waters from Iyawo Oni Yemaya (Denise Oliver-Velez). This site is mainly a list of links to other sites and some information about the owner.
      • Searching for Osun. A photoessay of ethnographic performances from Nigeria put together by Joni L. Jones, University of Texas at Austin
      • Pierre Verger’s Photographic Tribute to Oshun. Photographs from Orixás, Corrupio, 1981. Brought to you by the Sabrina Gledhill,
        a.k.a Wara Omin.

Cuban Pages

African Pages

Other Interesting Sites

News Groups, List Groups and the Like

This is not by any means a complete list of open discussion
groups devoted to African-based religions on the net but is a
representative sample. If you know of (or manage) a group you think
should be added to this list, please let me know.

      • alt.religion.orisha
      • ATR (African Spirituality) Forum. Run by Mamaissii Dansi Hounon to gain a greater appreciation of African Ancestral Religions as a path back to both God and Self.
      • Liberal Ifa/Orisha Forum. Run by Jaap Verduijn of the Nederlands Ifa Genootschap a (self-proclaimed Highly Heretical) European variant of Orisha religion.
      • OLU Discussion Board. Maintained for the benefits of the Ifa and Orisha community – devotees and initiates – by Vladimir Reznik.
      • Orisha Mailing List. The oldest surviving internet forum on on African Religions.
      • santeria. Discuss the Afro-Cuban Regla de Ocha, religion popularly known as Santeria or Lukumi.
      • yorubalife. Explores the concepts of African Based Ancestor Worship, its Origins, and Happenings.Includes Yoruba, Santeria, Palo, Candomble’, Voodoo, Hoodoo, Ausar Auset, and other African Religious forms.

Contact Dr Mary Ann

Revised: January 2006

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