In African syncretism, especially in Cuban Santería, Santa Bárbara is syncretized with Shangó, the Yoruba orisha of thunder, fire, war, and dance, due to the symbols they share: both are associated with lightning (which killed the saint's father and is Shangó's power) and with the sword (or Shangó's double axe), allowing African slaves to honor their gods under the guise of Catholic saints as a symbol of resistance and faith.