December 4: Day of Santa Bárbara and Shangó, the protectors

It is today December 4, one of the most special days that the last month of the year brings, Cubans get ready to celebrate their warrior deities, the protectors of the people, the Saint and the Orisha who support the fighters, to the brave, to those who have plenty of courage... The deities that drive away enemies, those that bring justice, health and prosperity.

A Santa Barbara the protector already Shango the Orisha of Thunder, they are celebrated on December 4, united their celebration in the same cult that shows the characteristics that syncretize both deities.

The celebration of December 4 to Santa Bárbara and Shango, fills the houses of the devotees with red, roses and candles, altars and images of the deities before whom faith and gratitude are deposited.

Why are both deities celebrated in Santeria on the same day?

The answer is "syncretism".

The miraculous saint, Barbara, the protector, is syncretized in the Yoruba religion with Shangó, Orisha of thunder. Due to the slavery process, the slaves eager to safeguard their faith, found in the Catholic saints the way to worship their African gods.

And it was thus that with the passing of time, the faith and religion of both lands were mixed, leaving a legacy from generation to generation to a new faith, to deities fused in a single cult and adoration.

What do we ask of Santa Bárbara and Shangó?

To her, Santa Barbara is asked for his protection to avoid difficult situations.

According to the Catholic religion:

She protects those who are in danger of death and have no sacrament.
She is worshiped for calming storms,
drive away enemies and
intercede in difficult and desperate cases.

Shango, is the leader of the Osha or Santeria within the Yoruba religion, a highly revered warrior Osha and associated with rituals of dance, virility, thunder, lightning and fire.

The protector of the Cubans, whom He is asked for justice, for freedom and for the protection personal and family.

both deities They are related to qualities such as strength and courage., they are also united in the red colors that represent them and in nature they symbolize storms, lightning and lightning, elements through which they transmit their power.

Let's get to know both deities a little more:

Who is Santa Barbara? The Catholic Virgin Patron Saint of storms

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara She is usually represented with the clothes of her time, a maiden's headdress and a series of objects that differentiate her from the other saints and was part of the "14 Holy Helpers" of the Catholic Church.

She is the patron saint of several cities and towns in Spain, Mexico, Peru and other countries, mainly former Spanish colonies, through which her cult spread during times of conquest and colonization.

Today in many countries of Latin America, Central America and the Caribbean, there are temples dedicated to the virgin.

In Cuba it is venerated in the National Sanctuary dedicated to the saint and many devotees pay her devotion in their homes with an image or a personal altar.

What is Shangó like? The warrior, the King of the Yoruba pantheon

Shango is the Orisha of justice and is characterized as historical and divine.

He is one of the kings of the Yoruba religion and represents the joy of living intensely, masculine beauty, passion, intelligence and wealth.

And as a great warrior, he protects his devotees, with the courage and impulsiveness that characterize him. ShangoIn addition, he has control over the religious system known as Osha-Ifá, who was the first interpreter of the oracle and is the priest of the Diloggún and Biange and Aditoto oracles.

For this reason, Shango's advice is extremely important and Yoruba devotees revere him as a soothsayer and benefactor.

On his day, December 4, Shango is celebrated as a strong, brave and fair god, who is associated with reason, knowledge and intellect, as well as the values of justice and law, but who requires the gratitude of his followers for their blessings and thanks.

For this reason, on their day of celebration in Santeria, the religious make in honor of the Orisha and the Saint, in a single faith, a simple altar in which red predominates and they place their favorite offerings such as bananas and red apples at their feet, as well as drinks such as red wine, desserts and other offerings to entertain them.