Drumming celebration for Ochún in her annual festivity. Casa del Caribe, September 1997 (left); Herramientas at the base of the altar-throne, 1997 (right).

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A "birthday throne" for Ochún to celebrate her annual festivity in September 8th (doubling with the Virgin of Charity's). According to David H. Brown in Santeria Enthroned , thrones for orishas (deities) simulate regal seats of power that, depending on resources, can be lavishly decorated. Minimally, like this one, they consist of a draped backdrop and a canopy made of some fancy or glossy fabric in the identifying color of the honored orisha and natural green leaves.

The image of the honored orisha is placed in the throne, in this case a distinct image of Ochún rather than the more usual one of the Virgin of Charity.The orisha is believed to be actually present in the sacred stones contained in the sopera vessel standing on a pedestal and covered with a golden cloth. At the base there is a straw floor mat with some metal and wood objects known as herramientas (tools). Usually food and alcoholic drink offerings are also placed in the throne. The drumming and singing to invoke the orisha during the celebration takes place in front of the throne as shown below.

Although orisha thrones for celebrations are usually installed in private houses and spaces, this one was made in Casa del Caribe, a historical and anthropological research center in Santiago de Cuba to give it legitimacy as a cultural and religious Afro-Cuban manifestation.

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