Yoruba religion
The Yoruba religion has had great influence among black people in Cuba, many of whom are Yoruba descendants. It has some usage in other Caribbean islands, and in the United States.<ref>Canizares, Raul 1993. Walking with the night: the afro-Cuban world of santeria. Rochester, VT: Destiny.</ref>Gonzalez-Whippler, Migene 1982. The santeria experience. N.Y. Original Publications. ISBN 0-942272-15-3Mason, Michael Atwood 2002. Living santeria: rituals and experiences in an Afro-Cuban religion. Washington: Smithsonian. ISBN 1-58834-077-5Thompson, Robert Farris 1983. Flash of the spirit: African and Afro-American art & philosophy. N.Y. Vintage. ISBN 0-394-72369-4  In Cuba the religion is known locally as regla d'ocha, (meaning 'the way of the spirits'). Santería'' is a slightly wider term referring to the merging ("syncretism") of African spirits and Catholic saints. Adherents in countries like Cuba may be received into the Catholic church and initiated into the Yoruban religion, sometimes on successive days.