What is the difference between Voodoo and Santeria?

What is the difference between Voodoo and Santeria?

Voodoo is a religious tradition originating in West Africa, which became prominent in the New World due to the importation of African slaves. West African Vodun is the original form of the religion; Haitian Vodou and Louisiana Voodoo are its descendants in the New World.

Santer?a also known as "La Regla DE Lukumi" (Lukumi's Rule), is an Afro-Caribbean religious tradition derived from traditional beliefs of the Yoruba people of Nigeria. The Santer?a/Yoruba tradition comprises a hierarchical structure according to priesthood level and authority. Orisha "Ole" or temples are usually governed by Orisha Priests known as Babalorishas, "fathers of orisha", or Iyalorishas, "mothers of orisha", and serve as the junior Ile or second in the hierarchical religious structure. The Babalorishas and Iyalorishas are referred to as "Santeros(as)" and if they function as diviners of the Orishas they can be considered Oriates. The highest level of achievement is to become a priest of Ifa (ee-fah). Ifa Priests receive Orunmila who is the Orisha of Prophecy, Wisdom and all Knowledge. Ifa Priests are known by their titles such as "Babalawo" or "Father Who Knows the Secrets" and "Iyanifa" or "Mother of Destiny." Ifa Ile or Temples of Ifa serve as the senior to all Orisha Ile in the Traditional Orisha-Ifa / Santer?a Community. The Sacred Oracle of Ika-Fun or Ika Ofun serves as confirmation.

Voodoo is a mix of Christianity and old African beliefs. I believe it come over with the slaves. They brought their beliefs and mixed it with the beliefs of their masters to create what we now call VooDoo.

Santeria is a religion that still exists in Africa, and in the states. It is also a mix of African practices (such as animal sacrifice in the states in which it is legal) and christian belief structure.

Both religions are similar, but I believe Santeria has more Christianity, and VooDoo has more old world African.

But go with the guy who answered above mine. He knows more about what he is talking about then I do!

Voodoo or Poodoo , they are no more than magic tricks and tribal madness.

Santeria is more in South America and voodoo is in Louisiana

Santeria is primarily practiced by Hispanic people; Voodoo is more Haitian. Santeria uses more animal sacrifice on a regular basis; voodoo does animal sacrifice but on a smaller scale and voodoo is, IMO, far stronger than Santeria.
If you want to learn all about voodoo in a very entertaining way, get DVD of Serpent and the Rainbow, (based Jon a true story!) it is fabulous about a man who went to Haiti to discover more about Zombies and how they turn people into them so he could use it for pharmaceutical purposes/anesthesia. Fantastic movie, definitely see it.

They actually come from the same religious tradition, Vodun. Vodun is an animistic religion native to West Africa. The difference between the two is in how they developed.

Voodoo developed as African slaves were imported to Haiti. The native religion was fused with Roman Catholicism and French culture. It reached the states by way of Louisiana (New Orleans being a major center for slave trade from the Caribbean).

Santaria developed in nearly the same fashion on the Island of Cuba. The primary difference is the substitution of Spanish influence for French influence. Santeria has traditionally not enjoyed as much popularity as Voodoo in the US, but it is gaining in popularity as more and more Cuban refugees enter the country.