"Santeria is a miracle of spirit brought out of crushing human suffering.  Its history shows that a people placed under the most difficult conditions imaginable can fashion a spiritual world of beauty and hope."

Joseph M. Murray
Santeria:  An African Religion in America

This stone head is a representation of the orisha Eleggua who opens and closes all paths.  Rituals in Santeria always begin and end with honor paid to this orisha.

Original image sourced from http://ilarioba.tripod.com/images/elegba.gif.