What is Santería, Anitta’s Religion Shown in ‘Aceita’?
The Brazilian singer lost 100k followers after sharing her religious beliefs
It’s no secret that Anitta has brought carioca funk to the world. The Rio de Janeiro diva has completed this task with the release of her highly anticipated album Funk Generation. The singer’s sixth studio work combines various styles with a predominance of Brazilian genres, including collaborations with Bad Gyal, Dennis DJ, and Sam Smith. Now, Anitta is ready to surprise us with the video for one of her singles, ‘Aceita.’
Interestingly, fans did not react as expected to the news. After announcing her new release, the Brazilian artist lost over 100,000 followers. The reason? It has a lot to do with the fact that the «Envolver» singer openly shows her religion in this video.
What is Anitta’s Religion?
The Brazilian artist introduced her new release on Monday with striking photographs taken from the ‘Aceita’ video. These black-and-white sequences show the singer completely naked, kneeling, receiving what seems to be a baptism or a kind of purification ritual. Additionally, the footage was accompanied by text that provided more insight into what Anitta wants to share.
“Yoruba, Orisha. I am Logun Edé, the great prince heir of my parents’ race. I have the sensitivity and intelligence of my mother and the courage and cunning of my father. As a hunter and fisherman, I am my own nature (…) In this world of affronts, I am the fight against the humiliation of the subjugated, impoverished, and constrained individuals simply for existing. Audacity is my name against those who deny a full and dignified life to young black people,” wrote the artist, referencing a speech by the Brazilian Samba school Unidos da Tijuca for their 2025 Carnival, which will be dedicated to the orisha.
From the start, we can see that Anitta references the Yoruba religion, a series of spiritual beliefs and traditions from West Africa, spread through the diaspora to Latin American countries, including Brazil. Logun Ede, one of the orishas (spirits), is part of Cuban Santería.
But what exactly is Santería? It is a religion developed in Cuba in the late 19th century, syncretized with Catholicism brought to the Americas by the Spanish monarchy and spiritism. Santería is based on the worship of ancestors (eguns) and determinism (the belief that our lives are predetermined from the beginning). It also holds a firm belief in a single God (Oloddumare), who interacts with humans through «extensions,» also divinities, known as orishas (similar to Catholic saints).
It is believed that each person has a special connection with a specific orisha, who influences their personality and life. Santeros have several tools for communicating with their orishas, including rituals, prayers, and divination techniques, along with offerings that include fruits, flowers, liquors, and animal sacrifices.
An important ritual in Santería is the toque de santo, where believers play drums, sing, and dance so that an orisha possesses one of their members to communicate with them. In fact, some are considered «spiritual mediums.» This celebration seems to be referenced by Anitta in ‘Aceita.’ Additionally, the Brazilian artist is dressed in white, indicating a recent Santería baptism.
Today, Santería continues to exist in Latin America, with a significant influence on the Hispanic population in the United States, as well as in Cuba, Mexico, and Venezuela, among others.
Did you know about Santería?