Santería and Vodou are examples of syncretic religions. Syncretism refers to the blending of different religious, cultural, and philosophical beliefs and practices. Both Santería and Vodou originated in the African diaspora, particularly among enslaved Africans in the Americas, and they incorporate elements from African traditional religions, Christianity (mainly Catholicism), and other influences.
Santería developed in Cuba, combining elements of the Yoruba religion with Catholicism, while Vodou is primarily practiced in Haiti and is rooted in the African Vodun belief system, which also incorporates elements of Catholicism and influences from other cultures. Both religions emphasize the worship of spirits or deities, rituals, and communal practices.
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