Santeria Growing in Popularity Among African-American, Mexican and White Chicagoans

November 18, 2005

Source: SanLuisObispo.com / Chicago Tribune

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispo/news/nation/13141662.htm

On November 18, 2005 the Chicago Tribune reported, "In Chicago and elsewhere, religious scholars as well as followers see Lukumi [the tradition also known as Santeria] growing not only among longtime devotees of Cuban and Puerto Rican descent, but also among African-Americans, Mexicans and white Midwesterners.

[Many] young blacks from the Midwest [say] they embrace the religion as a bridge to their African past. Others say they find spiritual fulfillment in the religion's consultations, which focus on personal problems and provide resolutions through the orishas, or spirits.

Today, museums display exhibits about botanicas, the spiritual shops that supply herbs and other materials for [Lukumi] rituals. High priests known as babalawos lecture at universities and a popular Cuban hip-hop group known as Orishas raps about Santeria. Recently, Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said he also practices the religion... New Lukumi leaders... seek to educate followers about the religion by organizing workshops and religious seminars. Several leaders have registered their houses of worship as non-profit organizations, another step toward legitimizing the faith."