What is sanse and espiritsmo?

Sanse in its simplest form…

is essentially the Spiritism practice of Puerto Rican Santeria. Though it is not a religion, the basis of Sanse holds a belief in God and that humans have a spirit within them and while the body dies the spirit does not. Therefore spirit can communicate with spirit whether it is embodied or not.

Sanse is a practice born from a combination of indigenous Tiano, and African and European shamanism. Puerto Rican Sanse incorporates Spiritism and Vodou and works with Spirits and ancestral veneration as well as with the elements; wood, metal, crystals, mineral, plants, fire, air, earth, and water. For Sansistas, Brujas, and Espritistas to continue practicing their indigenous beliefs, covering it up with Catholicism was necessary. Particularly since it’s an oral tradition and most are not documented.

STAY TUNED FOR A NEW PODCAST SHARING MORE ON THIS ORAL TRADITION.