The Lucumí religion (also Santería and Regla de Ocha) developed in 19 th - century colonial Cuba, by syncretizing elements of Catholicism with the Yoruba worship of orisha. When fully initiated, santeros (priests) actively participate in religious ceremonies by periodically being possessed or “mounted” by a patron saint or orisha, usually within the context of a drumming ritual, known as a toque de santo, bembé, or tambor.