Voodoo and Santeria are both spiritual practices with roots in African traditions, but they have distinct differences in their origins, beliefs, and practices.
Voodoo, also spelled Vodou or Vodun, originated in West Africa, particularly in Benin and Togo. It was brought to the Americas through the transatlantic slave trade. Voodoo is a syncretic religion that blends African spiritual practices with elements of Catholicism. It involves the worship of spirits called loa, who are intermediaries between humans and the supreme god, Bondye. Voodoo rituals often include drumming, dancing, and offerings to the loa.
Santeria, on the other hand, originated in Cuba and is a syncretic religion that blends Yoruba traditions from West Africa with elements of Catholicism. It was developed by African slaves in Cuba who used Catholic saints as a cover to continue practicing their traditional beliefs. Santeria involves the worship of orishas, which are deities that represent different aspects of nature and human life. Santeria rituals often include animal sacrifices, drumming, and dancing.
While both religions involve the worship of spirits and the use of rituals, they have different pantheons of deities and distinct cultural contexts. Voodoo is more closely associated with Haiti and the African diaspora in the Americas, while Santeria is primarily practiced in Cuba and among Cuban diaspora communities.