Slavery brought over to the new world Nigerian people. And with it, came their traditional religion of Orisha Ifa worship (Yoruba Lucumi). This is a belief in ancestors, ancestors that can become deity, and a hierarchy of spiritual beings sent by God in order to aid mankind. The religion in Cuba was transformed as the slaves evolved and, it under took a westernized form. Included in this westernized form is the synchronization of catholic martyrs or saints, with the Yoruba deities. This is because, the slaves were able to conceptualize, that the catholic saints once lived; performed great feats of bravery; and died for just causes; in the name of God and Jesus Christ. So, did some of there Yoruba deities, once lived; taught man how to survive; generated medicine; died for just causes; and then elevated to deity status. It must have seemed to the slaves that their masters were practicing in their own way, what they have always practiced.

By way of the Cuban exiles exodus of the 1960's. The religion spread not only to the U.S., Mexico, Central & South America, but also Europe. During the years, many tourists which have gone to the Island for fun and relaxation could not help but notice the religious ways of its people. The Drumming and dancing in the streets, the newly initiated individuals dressed all in white, walking to the market places, or entering churches. There is always, someone performing a ritual at a beach, park, river, or street corner. This curiosity has lead many tourists to become aware as well as embrace the Cuban spiritual culture. Then there are those who have gone to Africa in search for a more traditional or direct source of connection to the deities. Yet, when they arrive in Africa, what they find is something very different. The traditional religion being misused, or associated with witchcraft, and the majority of the people converted to Christianity or Islam, and at times fighting.

First, let's begin with the knowledge, that after abolition of slavery Nigeria became a British State. This brought westernized political, religious, and cultural views on living, which must have shocked the indigenous population. Another thing, there has always been the influx of Islam from the North know as the sub Sahara region. Which some believe, contributed immensely to the cause of slavery. It's because, the Muslims infiltrated the indigenous tribes, created rivalries and tribal wars, leading to captives that were then sold to the British, Dutch, Portuguese, and Spanish slave traders from the 16 to the 1800'S.

Now that West Africa has had contact with the Europeans, Christianity is brought into the mix. How they are able too merge their traditional religious ideology with Christianity & Islam. Hence, the troubles of trying to bridge belief systems, and knowing which to follow. Not being able to do so is what has lead to Christians fighting the Muslims, the Muslims fighting the traditional, and it has not stopped.

Slavery is/was evil, the traveling over the vast Atlantic Ocean, the many that died at sea, which have never been counted, happened. Yet, the good that has come from this is the survival of the Yoruba cultural, religious beliefs, and musical contributions; that other wise would probably have been almost lost, if not for the new world.

There is a Santeria religious store in a Jacksonville, Florida flea market. And, while in there one day, a Nigerian Christian gentleman came in too buy candles. In our conversation it was mentioned that there is much religious & political unrest in Nigeria. And, how most folks have turned away from the traditional religion because of its use for doing evil (as in witchcraft). This is because folks over there normally go to the traditional religion and hire priest & priestess to cast evil upon enemies. They‘re being used as a hired gun of destruction, auctioned to the highest bidder. So today, the religious enlightenment, enrichment and medicinal relief, that the traditional religion can afford, is overlooked, and forsaken. There are good and evil folks in every tradition, culture or religion. And with oppression, hunger, lack of political support and funds for the people; coupled with religious rivalry and egotism, makes for a savage situation. Most of the converts to Christianity or Islam have too come to the realization or rational that their worshiping of angels, saints, or martyrs, is not unlike the Orisha's being worshiped by the traditional people. They have not found within themselves the will to respect each others belief, living in peace, and knowing that they are all children of God.

The video links above, also sheds light on other political and economic woes in today's Nigeria. Although, it is an oil rich nation, not enough is being done to compensate the workers, villages where the oil is being drilled from. What I can't ever seem to understand, is why? With so much profit to go around, and so much cost saving in drilling in a third world nation. Why can't it be shared with the people? And, I thought the days of the medieval feudal lords, and peasants were over.