Casa Templo de Santeria Yemaya

A visit to Casa Templo de Santeria Yemaya is one of the spookiest experiences in Trinidad. Before you visit, it is good to know about Santeria, the syncretic religion of Caribbean origin that developed among West African descendants. The religion involves a trance system for communicating with their ancestors, sacred drumming, dance and animal sacrifice. It looks like every other house that lines the streets of Trinidad from the outside but with one exception, a doll with a long lace dress peering out from a bare room in the interior front room. Coming face-to-face with the doll, you realize that she is indeed the guardian of the Temple of Yemaya. The wide airy entrance hall has white washed walls and blue fish murals. The shrine features a goddess standing on an elevated pedestal overseeing her followers, alter filled with clear vessels of water, and opens up to a beautiful green garden. The house is presided over by santeros, priests of the religion, who often take part in conversations with tourists, especially the inquisitive ones. If interested, brush up on your Spanish and your knowledge of the religion before visiting Casa Templo de Santeria Yemaya.