In my other blog I post some of my research on the history of Spiritualism in Rochester. Unfortunately, something that is even more under documented is the historical presence of Espiritismo in Rochester, as well as African Diasporic Religions such as Lukumi (Santeria) or Palo.
I've written in another post about the historical connection that Espiritismo has to Rochester, and also mentioned that these traditions are still very much being practiced here today, but I wanted to share this small bit of research that I've found looking through Newspapers about some of the Botanicas that used to exist in Rochester.
Mrs. Carmen Betances, who says she "got the power" of Espiritismo at the age of seven in Puerto Rico has statues all over the tiny store as well as on the glassed in porch over at her home next door. She goes to New York once a month to replenish her supply of herbs and oils.
"We are a religious store," says Aurora Lopez, whose mother, Julia Reyes, owns the San Lazaro. "But we also sell medicine." Julia Reyes had a dream fives years ago that told her to open Botanica San Lazaro.
"We go with the spirit. The spirit works through our bodies and tells us what to do." Treatment usually varies with the individual. "I have to let the people talk." says, Rev. Daniel Garcia "I listen to them say, "I feel this, I feel bad. I feel that. Sometimes a special herbal bath or oils will be prescribed."
Regarding African Diasporic Traditions, Rochester is a fairly large center of Palo, with Lukumi (Santeria) coming in a close second. There is also a fairly decent sized community of individuals that practice 21 Divisions, or Dominican Vodu.
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