what does this religion mean to you ? my indepth thought and feelings on this question

Recently, someone asked me what does my religion mean to me?

How does one begin to answer this question? I guess as honestly as possible ..

This religion began 300 years ago in Cuba with the intermixing of the Lucumi , the Congo Loango , Mina, Mose, Macua, and the Carabali .

Over time these tribes all intermixed bringing together what we now know as Lucumi and Regla de ocha .

Regla de ocha (Rules of ocha ) where formed in order to preserve the religion , as we know it in Cuba .
In today’s world many of the newer Olorishas are mixing many other religions trying to rekindle a ties with Nigeria. Not that I say this is bad , but the religion was able to flourish and survive in the new lands because of those that came before us . They held on the ceremonies and the rituals in order to maintain a balance of the orisa.

Ask around, how many Olorishas are still with their original godparents … ( exclude those that where made in Cuba) very few will answer. Many scream falta de respecto ( loss of respect ) or that their philosophies did not match those of their teachers . Or they left because of the godparents lack of knowledge or just plain they where lured from their original godparents because of greed .

Shameful to look out and see so many lost souls , Inventing as they go through life trying to absorb the little or a lot that can be taught from others .

If the lagua lagua of the past where here , tears would fill their eyes to see what a mess has been made of a beautiful religion .

What does my religion mean to me ?

It means Respect to my elders , the beauty of the orisha they health they give us , stability , a way to clean myself of the osorbo that comes in my path .. To give reverence to those that came before me , To hold on to those traditions that have been past down from generation to generation of Olorishas , without mixing more and more traditions into a Hodge podge of eclectic ramblers who further seek to incorporate orisha that where lost to the Lucumi of Cuba .

I see so many people enter this religion only to want to change the face and structure of what the original Lucumi bore the weight of slavery to preserve…. I ask them , why do you even Moyuba those that have past to ara Orun ? Why did you even enter this religion , if you did not want to follow the rules of those that came before ?? Look deep into your soul and can you honestly say this is where you want your religion to go ….