What is the name of the Cuban religion that blends African and Catholic traditions and is known for its beads and rituals?

What is the name of the Cuban religion that blends African and Catholic traditions and is known for its beads and rituals?

• A. Santería
• B. Voodoo
• C. Ifá
• D. Espiritismo

Answer: (A)

This item tests recognition of an Afro-Cuban religious tradition that blends Yoruba-based African beliefs with Catholic elements. Santería is known for its ritual ceremonies, drum music, offerings, and the use of beaded necklaces called elekes that symbolize a practitioner’s connection to a specific orisha. The Catholic influence shows up in the syncretism between orishas and Catholic saints, a hallmark of how the tradition adapted under colonial and social pressures. Voodoo refers to Haitian traditions with similar spirit work but not the same Cuban blend; Ifá is the Yoruba divination system rather than the full Cuban religious practice; Espiritismo is Cuban Spiritism focused on spirit communication without the distinctive bead-centered ritual framework. Because the combination of African roots with Catholic syncretism and the prominent use of beads in rituals is characteristic of Santería, that is the correct identification.

This item tests recognition of an Afro-Cuban religious tradition that blends Yoruba-based African beliefs with Catholic elements. Santería is known for its ritual ceremonies, drum music, offerings, and the use of beaded necklaces called elekes that symbolize a practitioner’s connection to a specific orisha. The Catholic influence shows up in the syncretism between orishas and Catholic saints, a hallmark of how the tradition adapted under colonial and social pressures. Voodoo refers to Haitian traditions with similar spirit work but not the same Cuban blend; Ifá is the Yoruba divination system rather than the full Cuban religious practice; Espiritismo is Cuban Spiritism focused on spirit communication without the distinctive bead-centered ritual framework. Because the combination of African roots with Catholic syncretism and the prominent use of beads in rituals is characteristic of Santería, that is the correct identification.