The 21 Division

602 WEST 180 STREET

NEW YORK, NEW YORK

10033

(212) 543-4925

  

Africans who were forced to come as slaves to the Caribbean by the Spaniards, brought their spiritual beliefs with them, but since they were not allowed to worship their own deities, they took the images of the Catholic religion Saints and rename them with the names of their African deities.  Their religious legacy lives on and is part of everyday life in the Caribbean.

The 21 Division is a group of Loas or spirits who offer different spiritual gifts to the people who have the ability to channel them.

Each Saint of the 21 Division has a series of specific preferences including, colors, drinks, music, etc.

The name of the 21 Division refers to the number of hierarchies contained therein.

They are:

Leguás, Ogunes, Rodas, Locos, Guedés, Petrós, Simbís, Locomis, Zombis, Indios, Nagos, Congos, Guines, Ninillos, Caes, Dangueles, Shuques, Piues, Difemayos, Petifones, Marassá.

The Division is made up of three groups:

The White Division, The Indian Division, and The Black Division.

The White Division

To serve this Division you most use the altar. The Saints in this category include: Santa Ana (Ana Isa), Patrón Santiago (Ogún Balenyó), Virgen Dolorosa (Metrisilí), San Antonio (Papá Legbá),  San Carlos Borromeo (Candelo), Santa Elena (La Gunguna), Santa Clara (La Señorita), Virgen de la Candelaria (Candelina).

The Indian Division

The Indian Division is formed of Loas or spiritis of Indian descent.  Some of these Loas come from the water, and when they assume a physical form they ask that water be sprinkle over their heads, others prefer total dryness as does San Rafael (Tindjo Alague).

The Indian and Black Division are both served on the floor, but they should be kept a part from other Saints, since these two Divisions should never be together.

The Loas of the Indian Division like the following offerings: unsweetened coffee, rum, fruit and tobacco. Each of these Loas has a specific color.

The Loas of the Indian Division incluye:

Caonabo

Anacaona

Enriquillo

Guacanagarix

San Rafael

Indio de la Paz

Indio Guerrero

Dinosa

Carmelina Dansoleil

The Black Division:

Serve This Division in a place where there is dirt or on the floor. These Loas like food  cook without salt or oil (rice with black beans, sweet potato, and cazabe) The Loas in this category include: San Elías (Barón del Cementerio), San Expedito (Guedé Limbó), Santa Marta (La Dominadora, Ezilí Kénwa).

Black Division Loas:

San Elías

San Expedito

Santa Marta

Santa Marta la Dominadora

San Martín de Porres

San Cosme y San Damián

The following are some of the Saints of the 21 Division:

Anaísa Pyé- Santa Ana

Bakúlu Baká-San Felipe

Barón Del Cementerio-San Elías

Belié Belcán-San Miguel

Cachita-Nuestra Señora de la Caridad

Candelina-Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria

Candelo Cedifé-San Carlos Borromeo

Centinela-San Sebastián

Clementina-La Virgen Milagrosa

Damballah-San Patricio

Ezili Ailá (Alaíla)-Nuestra Señora de la Alta Gracia

Ezili Danthó-Santa Bárbara Africana

Ezili Kénwa-Santa Martha

Filomena Lubana-Santa Martha La Dominadora

Gran Bwa-San Judas, San Cristóbal

Gran Solié-San Nicolás del Sol

Gran Toro (Toroliza)- Cristo de las Buenas Esperanzas

Gunguna-Santa Elena

Jan Bakéo-San Pedro

Jan Ferro-San Marcos de León

Kriminelo (Jan Kriminel)-San Sebastián, San Pancracio

La Señorita-Santa Clara

Marassa-San Cosme y San Damián

Metresilí-La Dolorosa

Ofelia Balendjo-La Virgen de las Mercedes

Ogún Balendjo-San Santiago

Ogún Batalá-San Martín de los Caballeros

Ogún Fegai-San Jorge

Papá Legbá-San Antonio