Santeria: Altars as functions of Societal Prestige

    

Altar honoring the Ibeji; decorated with candy and children's toys

    A decorated altar (also called a throne or shrine) houses, sanctifies and attracts attention to orishas of honor. Each altar has characteristics that tie it to a particular purpose within the religion but retains its own characteristics that also reflect the personal attitudes and dispositions of the orisha and altar maker. An altar, usually built in a corner, is decorated with various foliage and rich, beautifully hung fabrics. This is where the Orisha's accouterments are kept. Altar objects include carved statues, seed pods, fruits, flowers, urns, beads, feathers, cauldrons, miniature versions of various farming equipment, fans, mirrors, and other items symbolizing the Orishas. Supplicants give these items as offerings of received favors or present them to claim benefactions that have not yet been granted. Certain rituals are performed in front of the altar, but even when there is no special event is taking place, people stand or sit in front of the altar, enjoying the diversity of items and artistry. As the altar is prepared and cared for by devotees, the sophistication of the altar is a direct function of the economic and social status of the people supporting the shrine. Thus, the more grandiose the altar, the more prestige is acclaimed by the respective priest or priestess.

Permanent altar for Elegua at Caracas, Venezuela

    Many altars remain in one place for a long time, while others have a more temporal quality and are built for a single purpose. After the ceremony is completed, the shrine is dismantled and removed. Instances of both temporary and permanent altars can be found during celebration of an ocha birthday (a time when each priest or priestess of the religion celebrates their individual consecrations) or a bembe (a festivity in honor of an Orisha). The Yoruba Temple in Caracas, Venezuela provides an exemplary depiction of a fixed altar. This altar, dedicated to Elegua (the messenger and trickster Orisha), stands in its traditionally assigned place at or near the main entrance of the temple (pictured above). The basic design consists of leaves, branches, and other greenery that accentuate the personal Elegua statues of Luis Ramos, his family, and other members of the temple. These typically concrete statues are generally conical or triangular in shape; however, with regards to some recipients, the concrete is actually poured into a conch shell, with the opening in the shell acting as the face of the recipient the edifice is trying to emulate. These statues are decorated similarly to those depicted in the image above: with features made out of cowrie shells and tribal marks on the cheeks. The expressions of the statues (in this instance, fiercely peering or shyly peeking out of the greenery) are purposeful and are a reflection of the personality of the recipient. Once the foliage begins to wither or die, family members or close friends are the ones responsible for bringing in new and revived vegetation. In this perfectly created setting, Elegua the trickster, warrior, and communicator does his job: protecting the temple, conveying messages to other Orishas, and "opening the way”.