Common Nouns Lexicon

Santería is an Afro-Cuban religion that blends elements of Catholicism with traditional Yoruba beliefs. It is primarily practiced in Cuba and among the Cuban diaspora.

A sardar is a military and honorific title used in several parts of Asia, particularly in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Depending on the historical period and regional context, it referred to a military commander, a local leader, a noble or a high-ranking dignitary.

A sarovar is a large sacred water pool, often found within Sikh temple complexes, used for purification rituals.

Sati is an ancient Hindu tradition where a widow would immolate herself on her husband's funeral pyre. This practice, now banned, symbolized ultimate devotion.

Satya is a core moral principle in several Indian religious traditions, referring to truthfulness in speech, action, and intention.

Sawm refers to the Islamic practice of fasting, particularly during the month of Ramadan.

The shahada is the Islamic declaration of faith and the first of the five pillars of Islam. It affirms the oneness of God and the prophethood of Muhammad.

Shaktism is a major Hindu tradition focused on the worship of Shakti, the feminine principle of divine energy expressed through various goddesses.

The term “sharifian” refers to what is related to a sharif, a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad through Ali and Fatima, and by extension to dynasties of sharifian origin.

A shield volcano is a type of volcano with a broad, flattened shape, formed by the accumulation of fluid lava flows that spread over large distances.