Arrival. West African religious practices arrived on the shores of Caribbean islands, the East coasts of the Americas and the Gulf Coast of the U.S. during the slave trade. Click here for a Map of the Slave Trade.
Modern Practice. Today, there are practitioners of African Diaspora religions all over the Americas. Although these practices have in fact begun to spread around the globe, the following are a list of West African-based practices and the major centers in the Americas where they flourish:
Santeria & Lukumí: Cuba & United States, especially urban centers in New York, Florida, Texas, California and Illinois
Voudun: Southeastern United States & Haiti
Candomble, Umbanda & Quimbanda/Macumba: Brazil, Uruguay & Argentina
Timeline. Here are a few key dates in the evolution of Cuban Santeria:
• 1492—Christopher Columbus claims the island of Cuba for the Spanish crown.
• 1513—The first evidence of African slaves brought to the island.
• 1568—The first cabildo, Cabildo Shango, is formed in Havana. Cabildos were
mutual-aid organizations formed by slaves belonging to the same ethnic group.
• 1763—Widespread raiding of Yoruba territories began in this year.
• 1806—A cabildo is founded in Matanzas, Cuba, the birthplace of Santeria.
• 1828—Cabildo Lucumí Santa Barbara is established in Matanzas.
• 1866—Cabildo Yemayá is established in the city of Regla.
• 1923—The first historical evidence of rituals as they are performed today during
Santeria and Lukumí initiations, including the receipt of multiple orishas.
• 1946—The first Cuban-born babalawo settles in New York.
• 1959—The first Puerto Rican and first two African-Americans from New York
are initiated in Cuba.
• 1961—The first initiation is performed in New York.
• 1980—Many practioners of Ifá, Santeria and Lukumí arrive in the United States
as part of the Mariel Boatlift.
• 1993—The Supreme Court rules in favor of the Church of the Lukumí of Babalu
Aye, protecting the right to perform animal sacrifices for religious purposes.
[Sources: “A Timeline of Lucumí History,” by Stuart Myers (Ócha’ni Lele). See also
AfroCubaWeb.com]