Las 21 Divisiones is a spiritual tradition which comes from the Dominican Republic. It blends influences from Catholicism, religious practices of the Kongo, Benin and Yoruba (Nigeria), Haitian Vodou and Taino Indian religious practices.
Due to the stronghold of the Catholic faith, many Dominicans who practice the 21 Divisiones or partake within it’s ceremonies/rituals still identify as exclusively Catholic. Those involved at deeper levels (Papa Boko/ Papa Lwa Mama Mambo) will often be public about their practice but state that it works together with Catholicism rather than against it.
In Las 21 Divisiones, a Servidor de Misterio usually practices within an altar room known as a badji/baji/bayi. While some Papa Bokos or Mama Mambos have whole temples (a bayi along with a separate dance area) to serve the Misterios, they are the exception and generally not the rule. During a 21 Divisiones ceremony, a Misterio can possess a Caballo although a different Misterio is being sung/played for via the music during that particular time.
One of the other major differences between Haitian and Dominican Vodou are the drums. In most Mani (21 Division Ceremonies), the drums being used are of Kongo form and origin. The beats being known as Atables. The drums are known as Palos and the drummers as Paleros, and when a ceremony in which they are at is usually referred to as a Fiesta de Palo
Las 21 Divisiones and most of its practitioners usually follow a high moral/ethical code, and most Caballos de Misterio work “clean” only, meaning they do not work for vengeance or revenge, but will work for justice and other positive aims. In some lineage, new initiates are made to take a special oath to just work in a clean manner. It is often said that the Misterios will leave those who produce works of evil.