Page 29 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

A POR TR AIT OF CUBA  27

The aspiring priest (santero) has to undergo a
week of intense initiation ceremonies, and for
an entire year has to dress in white and
adhere to strict rules of behaviour.
The double-edged axe and sword
are Changó’s two warlike attributes.
The batea is a wooden receptacle
containing natural elements in which
the spirit of the god resides. Only the Various objects – Christian, secular or
santero may open it. even personal items – are set together on
Santería altars. Here, three Madonnas are
placed alongside plastic horses.
The pilón is the large
wooden mortar on which
the santero sits during Elegguá is the first god to be
the week of initiation, greeted during ceremonies.
and it is preserved as
an object of worship. He is represented by a stone
made to look like a face, with two
shells as eyes, and is usually placed
behind a believer’s front door.
Other Afro-Cuban Religions
Fresh flowers are Among the African cults practised in
always placed on the
altars of the orishas: Cuba, two others are also significant: Palo
red ones for Monte (or Las Reglas de Congo), in which
Changó, yellow herbs and other natural elements are
ones for Oshún, used for magical purposes, and Abakuá,
and white ones more of a mutual aid secret society, for
for Obatalá. men only. The former, introduced to Cuba
by Bantu-speaking African slaves from
the Congo, Zaire and Angola, is based on
the cult of the dead. The faithful, called
Candles paleros, perform rites that are sometimes
macabre and even verge on black magic.
A region between Nigeria
A basket of and Cameroon was the
offerings is on
display during birthplace of the Abakuá
ceremonies. cult. In celebrations the
The money is participants, disguised
used to buy as little devils
objects of (diablitos), dance
worship. and play music.
The diablito has
Yemayá, sea goddess and mother become part of
Cuban folklore.
of orishas, wears blue. Capable
of great sweetness and great
anger, she is linked with the
Virgen de Regla (see p116).

Changó is the virile and An Abakuá diablito
sensual god of fire and war with his typical
who adores dancing and headdress
corresponds to St Barbara.

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