Feast Day of the Virgen de las Mercedes

Today is the Feast day of the Virgen de las Mercedes (Virgin of Mercy) and the day to honor the Santeria god Obatalá.  The Virgin is honored throughout South and Central America and in Spain and Portugal.  Obatalá is honored in Cuba and Brazil, and is also considered as part of the Yoruba religion. For more information on the Yoruba influence in the Americas, please visit the Smithsonian digital exhibit, the Yoruba – Dahomean Collection: Orishas across the Ocean.