Santería & Afro-Cuban Religion

Shaking the maracas or ringing the bell to greet the saint. This is how Cubans communicate with the African Spirits, known as Orishas. Adriana, a daughter of the Orisha Xango, was initiated into the Yoruba religion 17 years ago.

“I started my path with the saints for my health and health has been given to me,” Adriana said. “When you take this step, you not only help yourself and see a change in yourself, but your responsibility towards others also grows.”

The Yoruba religion, Santería, is a big part of Cuban identity.

“Cuba has a lot of religions but this is one of the most important ones,” Maria said.

“I have Xango with Oshun,” Liuba said.

You can see the signs of this African faith everywhere.

“In Cuba, religious practice is carried out in a very open way,” Adriana said.

“Years ago, it was forbidden in Cuba. You couldn’t publicly show your necklaces and ilde bracelets. But now, it’s completely legal to practice it as a formal religion,” María said.

Nature is one of the main sources of connection to God and the Spirits in the African faith.

“We are a part of nature. Interacting with a rock, with a plant, with a flower, with water, with earth, brings us closer to our essence as human beings than interacting with something ethereal that you don’t feel or see,” said Adriana.

“This plant is a road opener. This is Elegua. You use it in the home to cleanse yourself, to cleanse the house. Poplar for Xango, in order to revolutionize and create change. Winner plants, to conquer, to fight the evils, representing Oggun,” José said.

African diasporic religions have long faced stigma across the Western Hemisphere. But in Cuba, Santería is embraced and revered.