What is a "changuiri"?

Guys,
I recently asked a percussionist who I respect and who is a Santero what is a "changuiri"? he gave me the whole, "I can't tell you because you're not in the religion" act.
To my general sense of word meanings, I thought it meant "beginner" or "initiate"....but I wanted to really understand the religious context.
It's just a "curiosity" question. Thanks guys.
I recently asked a percussionist who I respect and who is a Santero what is a "changuiri"? he gave me the whole, "I can't tell you because you're not in the religion" act.

To my general sense of word meanings, I thought it meant "beginner" or "initiate"....but I wanted to really understand the religious context.
It's just a "curiosity" question. Thanks guys.