AFRO CUBA: The African Diaspora in CUBA Part 2

Summary

This two-part miniseries explores the African Diaspora in Cuba, focusing on the rich cultural and religious influences of African heritage. Part one covers the history of the black community in Cuba, while part two delves into Afro-Cuban religion, culture, music, and activism. Key African religions such as Palo Monte, Abakuá, and Santería are discussed, along with their syncretism with Catholicism. The influence of African traditions can also be seen in Cuban music, food, and the arts, especially in the thriving Afro-Cuban rap scene and cultural centers like the Casa de Africa. The video highlights the continued impact of African heritage on Cuban identity.

Takeaways

• 😀 The African diaspora in Cuba has deeply influenced Afro-Cuban religion and culture, which includes prominent belief systems like Palo Monte, Abakuá, and Regla de Ocha (Santería).
• 😀 Palo Monte comes from the Congo Basin in Central Africa and focuses on ancestor veneration and the belief in natural powers of the earth, with deities like Kimpoong Gullu and the creator god Zombi.
• 😀 Abakuá, a secret society from the Calabar region of Nigeria and Cameroon, emphasizes masked dancers as spirit messengers and strictly keeps its rituals hidden from outsiders.
• 😀 Santería, stemming from the Yoruba people of Nigeria, syncretizes African deities (Orishas) with Roman Catholic saints, allowing enslaved Africans to continue practicing their religion under the guise of Catholicism.
• 😀 In Santería, notable Orishas include Yemaya (goddess of the sea), Shango (god of thunder), and Alegra (deity of paths and roads), each symbolized by specific colors and rituals.
• 😀 Cuba's Afro-Cuban religious practices often take place in communal spaces, with followers dressing in white during their initiation rituals and honoring specific Orishas who guide their lives.
• 😀 Havana houses the cultural hub, the Casa de Africa, which holds over 2,000 objects related to the African Diaspora in Cuba and serves as an educational platform.
• 😀 The Virgin of Regla, a black Madonna statue in Havana, represents the syncretization of the Catholic Virgin Mary with Yemaya, highlighting the intersection of African and Catholic traditions.
• 😀 African musical influences are profound in Cuban music, evident in genres like rumba, mambo, and Afro-Cuban jazz, alongside rhythmic patterns like the clave and call-and-response traditions.
• 😀 Cuban rap became a significant form of Afro-Cuban activism in the 1990s, with groups like Obsession addressing issues of racism and Afro-Cuban identity, often collaborating with African American artists.
• 😀 The African cultural influence extends to Cuban cuisine, with ingredients like rice, black beans, and plantains, as well as dishes like ropa vieja, which incorporate African terms and cooking methods.

Q & A

What are the three most prominent Afro-Cuban religions mentioned in the script?

The three most prominent Afro-Cuban religions are Palo Monte, Abakuá, and Regla de Ocha, also referred to as Santería.

What is the main focus of the religion Palo Monte?

Palo Monte focuses on ancestor veneration and the belief in the natural powers of the earth, with deities known as the Kimpoong Gullu and a creator god called Zombie.

How did the Abakuá religion maintain secrecy, and what are its core practices?

Abakuá is a secret society for men only, originating from the Calabar people of Nigeria and Cameroon. It is forbidden to reveal the secrets of the fraternity to non-members, and little is known by outsiders about its practices.

What is the connection between Yoruba religion and Santería in Cuba?

Santería is derived from the Yoruba people of present-day Nigeria. It originated when Africans were forced to convert to Catholicism, leading them to align their Yoruba deities with European Catholic Saints to continue practicing their African religion.

Who are some of the prominent orishas in Santería, and what do they represent?

Prominent orishas in Santería include Orula (intelligence and peace), Allegra (paths and roads), Yemaya (goddess of the sea), and Shango (god of thunder and lightning).

What does the practice of wearing white symbolize in Afro-Cuban religion?

Wearing white in Afro-Cuban religion symbolizes being initiated into Santería. Followers wear white for a year and a week as part of a ritual, and the color represents their particular orisha and devotion to it.

What is the significance of the Virgin of Regla in Cuban Afro-Cuban heritage?

The Virgin of Regla, also known as Our Lady of Regla, is syncretized with the orisha Yemaya, goddess of the sea. This black Madonna is adorned in blue clothing with marine symbols and represents Afro-Cuban heritage.

How have African rhythms influenced Cuban music?

African rhythms such as the clave can be heard in Cuban music styles like rumba, son, salsa, mambo, and Afro-Cuban jazz. The influence is also evident in percussive instruments like drums and the call-and-response tradition in music.

What role did Afro-Cuban rap play in the 1990s, especially during Cuba's economic crisis?

During the economic crisis known as the 'special period' in the 1990s, Afro-Cuban rap emerged as a form of political activism. Groups like Obsesión and Orishas used rap to address issues like racism and Afro-Cuban identity, even collaborating with African American artists.

How is African culinary influence reflected in Cuban cuisine?

Cuban cuisine is rich with African influences, including ingredients like rice, black beans, plantains, okra (called Kim bomba), and dishes such as ropa vieja, which is shredded beef slow-cooked with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and pepper.

What is the Casa de Africa, and what does it represent?

The Casa de Africa is a cultural and educational museum in Old Havana dedicated to the African Diaspora in Cuba. It houses over 2,000 objects related to African history, culture, and the impact of the slave trade, serving as a platform for learning and activism.