He is the supreme deity, the creator of the universe, and of the lesser guardians, called Orisha . Each of the latter has an associated Christian Saint, a principle, important number, color, food, dance posture and emblem. The Orishas need food in the form of animal sacrifice, and prepared dishes, as well as human praise in order to remain effective. These form an integral part of many Santerian religious rituals. The animal's blood is collected and offered to the Orisha.
Chickens are the most common animal used.
Their sacrifice is believed to please the Saints, and to bring good luck, purification and forgiveness of sins. Rhythmic sounds and feverish dancing during Santerian rituals are believed to lead to possession of the individual by the particular Orisha being invoked. The individual then speaks and acts as the Orisha. Their names are recited at family ceremonies. Very little information about beliefs, ritual, symbolism, practice are released to the general public.