in Lucumí literature. Many words are Spanish. Because there is no standard format, many versions of words and some variation on the practices exist. "The existence of the word as something usable in utterances presupposes a collective understanding of its existence." The entire religious community has acknowledged the practices, traditions and words of Santería and other divination elements such as the patakí and therefore it has become legitimate collective knowledge. The transculturation that created Santería and many other Afro-Cuban traditions has become a part of national identity. What is most important about the patakí is that the original idea, or moral of the story remain intact through translation and interpretation. References Oral tradition Yoruba religion Santería