Catholics in Cuba have greater religious freedom than those in other Communist countries such as China and Vietnam. Elegba, or Eleggua, is a divinity in Yoruba cosmology. Things changed drastically, as people who chose to practice Christianity in the country were now punished for doing so. There is a considerable amount of atheist people living in Cuba, who account for around 23 percent of the entire population. Your email address will not be published. Cuba has different religious groups reflecting the diversity in the country. About News by Country News by Industry . On the island there is a diversity of beliefs, all mixed, all separately, all influenced. He punishes those who do not revere him, his numbers are 3 and 21. Religion: As a result of Spanish colonization and the slave trade for centuries, various religious believes were introduced in Cuba. There are over six million Catholics around 60.5% of the total population. Religiones en Cuba: 3 creencias religiosas en la Isla. Many of these men went to pay their promises to El Cobre and to thank for the healing of their wounds. Santera blends elements of Christianity and West African beliefs and as such made it possible for the slaves to retain their traditional beliefs while appearing to practice Catholicism. Hinduism is followed by 0.2% of the population of Cuba. Oshosi and Ogns relationship wasnt always the best, but they regularly put their differences aside to partner up for a higher cause. into the impact of the protests and resulting crackdown on the freedom of religion or belief. The property of the clergy was also nationalized. Cuba is still the religious center of Santera, but the faith has involved many other countries as well, including the U.S. Strolling through the streets of Cuba, you'll occasionally come across people wearing all white clothingchances are these people are going through their Santera initiation. He claimed responsibility for excluding non-atheists from Communist Party membership on grounds that: What we were demanding was complete adherence to Marxism-LeninismIt was assumed that anybody who joined the party would accept the party's policy and doctrine in all aspects.[16]. How many people practice santera is difficult to . Customs, culture and ideologies were taken away from them and therefore they were forced to somehow rescue their traditions. It claims to have engaged in discussion with the government on issues such as political prisoners and free-market reforms. Religious reawakening: stirrings in Cuba. Cuban culture has undergone a major transformation since the revolution, and the government has come to play a leading role in it. Apart from their God, Olodumare, the Yoruba tribe people also adore hundreds of other spirits known as Orishas, who personify parts of nature and spirit. Although he did not actively practice the religion during his youth, he had a more positive relationship with Catholicism. He is also the father of numerous orishas, and as such, the other Orisha spirits regard him with tremendous respect and are very loyal to him, especially when it comes to important matters. Legba is his Fon name, but in countries like Brazil, he is called Exu by people who practice the Candomble religion, which translates as dance in honor of the gods. Approximately 59% of the total population is Roman Catholic Christians. This Orisha spirit was negatively linked with smallpox outbreaks in West Africa, and in the modern West World, he is more frequently seen as the patron of diseases like leprosy, influenza, and HIV. Despite attempts by colonizers to stamp out the religion by claiming that it was a defilement of God, the practices from this religion are still held by many living in Cuba in the modern day. His equivalent in Catholicism is Saint Anthony, while his color of worship is both red and black, and his number is three. Executive Summary. Some may also hover by the door of the church to watch the proceeding. He was an extremely talented scout and was rumored to be the best archer to have ever lived. [16] In 1989 this figure had increased to 27,609 and in 1991 to 33,569.[16]. According to CSW, following the passage of the constitution, which was criticized by some religious groups, the government increased pressure on religious leaders, including through violence, detentions, and threats; restricting the right of prisoners to practice religion freely; and limiting or blocking international and domestic travel. Each one expresses its own belief, since there is freedom backed by legal and social force. His colors are light blue and white, and his number is seventeen. [29] In 2017 a new state of the art church was dedicated in Cardenas, Matanzas, with over 1,200 church leaders, members, government representatives and guests from across the island.[30]. [41], Jews have lived on the island of Cuba for centuries. The video of his release shows Proud Boys members and supporters greeting Tarrio with the typical Protestant phrase of "God Bless You." JUNE 21, 2019. However after that date everything changed. Queer Cuba: The Ultimate Guide For LGBT+ Travellers, 11 Facts About Cuba You Probably Didnt Know. What FAQ and info should I check before travelling to Cuba? They were forbidden to practice their religion, they were forced to revere the Catholic saints, so they began to name them as their own idols. He is also the single Orisha spirit that has authority over death and life. In the years immediately after Castro came to power, the Catholic Church witnessed serious declines, at one point, managing just 7000 baptisms in a year. Even though the party had not disallowed religion, it did not allow the religious people to become its members. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2022 worldatlas.com, Religious Beliefs In The United Kingdom (Great Britain), The Historical and Ongoing Persecution Of Gypsies In Europe, The 7 Kindest Cities In The United States, The 10 Largest Universities In The United States, 9 Most Sacred Sites From Around The Globe, Santeria and Other African-Caribbean Folk Beliefs, Protestantism and Other Non-Catholic Forms of Christianity. His significance in Yoruba mythology is equal to that of his relatives. The outer layer of the ancestor represents the heritable understanding that the individual carries with them as a source of how and why to interpret values of perception within a given realm. Before we take a look at some of the different religions found in Cuba today, it is first important to understand the regions complex religious background. But new constitutions in 1976 and especially 1992 recognize the right to religious freedom. What are Cuba's beliefs? [40], According to a 2011 Pew Research Center report, there were then 10,000 Muslims in Cuba who constitute 0.1% of the population. In Orisha portrayals, Orisha Oko is frequently portrayed as the one who resolves arguments amongst the Orisha spirits, especially those between the women, and even more those between Chango and his lovers. Cuba's new constitution, passed in April 2019, makes it illegal to invoke conscientious objection to mandatory military service. Then come the Orisha Spirits, followed by humans, and then their ancestors. Mainly Catholic, Cubans have made the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre (Virgin of the Charity of Copper) the Patron of the island, and one of the most important symbols of Cuba, with important celebrations held in her name on September 8th. In order to find out more about Cubas religious background, take a look below as we explore some of the different faiths practiced in the country. La Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre (Our Lady Of Charity) is the Catholic patroness of Cuba and is greatly revered by the Cuban people and seen as a symbol of Cuba. Once Elegba unlocks the gates, Ogn clears them up with his machete. Some Cubans trace Jewish ancestry to Marranos (converts to Christianity) who came as colonists, though few of these practices Judaism today. He is Earths sorcerer protecting people from spells and curses and remedying their consequences. It found its way to Cuba through the slaves that got transported from West Africa to work in the various plantations in Cuba and other Western countries. As weve already said, Chang is one of the four pillars of Santeria, along with Obatal, Oshun, and Yemaya. Elegba, Oggun, Ochosi, Obatala, Oshun, Chango, Oya, Babalu-Ay are some of the main Orishas. This is the religion which was originally brought by the slaves settling in Cuba during the 16th century. For example, Carlos Santana has blended Orisha patterns and beats into various tracks of his, like Hannibal, which incorporates a Yoruba hymn to Shango. Based on the type of the festivities, instrumentalists and percussionists with bata drums perform exact rhythmic patterns targeted directly to particular Spirits whereas the people who attend the ceremonies recite call-and-response songs in the archaic Yoruba language, known as Lucumi, in an attempt to invite the Orishas to come down to Earth and possess the bodies of their dedicated Santeran priests. 1 Definitions 1.1 Terms for practitioners 2 Beliefs 2.1 Olodumare and the oricha 2.2 Birth and the dead 2.3 Ach 2.4 Morality, ethics, and gender roles 3 Practices 3.1 Houses of worship 3.2 Shrines 3.3 Offerings and animal sacrifice 3.4 Initiation 3.5 Toque de santo 3.6 Healing and amuletic practices 3.7 Divination 3.8 Funerals and mediumship She was the only one of Changos lovers who was actually capable of keeping him away from his acts of recklessness, but only because she stole his lightning secret and took advantage of his fear of the dead to control him. Since his mother was Jewish, according to the religion, that makes him Jewish as well. In the Catholic religion, her equivalent deity is the Lady of Charity, while her colors are yellow and gold, and her number is five. In the religion of Santeria, the emphasis on conscious existence binds the understanding of nature, the higher powers, and the channels of lineage together through ritual practice and clairvoyance. Santeria was brought to Cuba from Africa through the Atlantic slave trade and its influence never ended. Of the Yoruba religion, the most popular Orishas. [36] Not every slave in Cuba complied with the employment of slavery. At the beginning of the popular revolution, the Catholic bishops united to condemn the Communist Party that was governing the country. Afro-Cuban religion is the de facto religion in Cuba. In addition to Santeria in Cuba, we have Spiritism, of American origin, which arrived on the island in the mid-nineteenth century and had its consequences when the Spaniards and the African mixed again. Several different events followed which loosened the grip of atheism on the country even further. His colors are violet and carmelite, its number 17. In Santeria, Oy (also spelled Oll, Yansa, or Yansn) is a strong and formidable female Orisha warrior. "It is known that in Cuba there is religious freedom," Rodriguez tweeted. Family members with religious beliefs go inside to accompany the body. As we said, to protect their religious traditions from Catholic pressure, African people combined the Orisha spirits with the saints of Catholicism. In general, Cuba is a Catholic country with great influence on the beliefs bequeathed by Africans. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has been influenced by this and has argued for the exclusion of food and medicine from the embargo. The popularity of the revolution encouraged several people who wanted to identify with it to abandon their faiths. Religious activities are expanding in Cuba as the Communist Partys grip over the churches dwindles. The Cuban government since 1959 has controlled and severely restricted any construction of church property, which I see as a policy to control use of limited resources. This small island is home to an exceedingly wide variety of believers. As a matter of fact, Santerans do not call Babal-Ay by his name for fear of leading him to spread epidemic diseases. In a 2015 survey sponsored by Univision, 44% of Cubans said they were not religious and 9% did not give an answer while only 34% said they were religious. The Orishas are considered to be manifestations of God. It came to Cuba through the slave trade. She is powerful, chaotic, shifting, and protective. When Cuba's centralized system for providing basic social services began to erode in the early 1990s, Christian and Afro-Cuban religious groups took on new social and political responsibilities. In fact, Catholicism is highly modified and influenced by syncretism. Al respecto, el canciller . When Fidel Castros regime overtook the country in 1959, Protestant churches were legally allowed to continue. There is no authoritative source which details exactly how much of Cubas population are Catholic, however the Roman Catholic church estimates that around 60 to 70 percent of the country are indeed practitioners of the faith. And, if you are interested in learning more about it, Flash of the Spirit: African & Afro-American Art & Philosophy by Robert Farris Thompson, which you can purchase in paperback on Amazon, is a valuable resource for tracing the origins of African American culture in faiths of African tribes, including Yoruba. Roman Catholic is the dominant religion having been introduced by the Spanish colonialists. Cuban history is far more complex than people realize at first. These African religions include Yoruba, which originated in Nigeria and Benin. Believers pass on, maintain, and promote their principles to future generations. Santeria evolved when African slaves were stolen from their homelands during the Colonial period and forced to work in Caribbean sugar plantations. What FAQ and info should I check before travelling to Cuba? The strength of atheism is reducing especially with less campaign by the government to spread it. This sanctuary has been visited by three Popes: John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis in 1998, 2012 and 2015 respectively. Phone calls to and from Cuba, Internet Access, Special prices for Travel Agencies and Tour Operators. Catholics according to studies make up 60 percent of the population, this being the most professed religion. Ochun denotes romantic love and money, whereas Oggun represents battle. Orisha Oko is intimately related to witchcraft practices in agriculture. Santeria, known as worship of the Saints, has grown in popularity as a religious practice in Cuba. "Protestantism did not permanently take hold in Cuba until the nineteenth century, though since the sixteenth century the country had been constantly visited by pirates, corsairs and filibusters, many of whom were Protestants". There was no formal medical aid available to the community at the time. Castro accompanied Jackson to a church, and began to speak from a pulpit with a Bible placed before him. In the beginning, the Lucumi and other worshippers of Santeria would have to practice in secret.[38]. On the island there is a diversity of beliefs, all mixed, all separately, all influenced. What are Cuban beliefs? As of July 2015, the Turkish Religious Affairs Foundation had opened the first prayer room for Cuban Muslims and the first mosque in Cuba was under construction with Turkish funding. Other religions practiced are Palo Monte and Abaku, which have large parts of their liturgy in African languages. Although restrictions on religion in Cuba were minimal compared to other communist nations like the Soviet Union or China, the large atheist population was most likely caused by the communist atmosphere of Marxist-Leninist atheism. [16] Small worship centers were legally permitted to exist again. The Elder in the Cuban American Family: Making Sense of the Real and Ideal Much of the literature on family networks of Hispanic elders in the United States assumes that the family is the natural support network without considering the structural, cultural, and psychosocial impact of immigration, or exile, on the family. In addition to that, he serves as a referee and judge whenever the Orishas disagree, seeking to maintain the order. It has eleven dioceses, 56 orders of nuns, and 24 orders of priests. A common syncretic religion is Santera, which combined the Yoruba religion of the African slaves with Catholicism and some Native American strands; it shows similarities to Brazilian Umbanda and has been receiving a degree of official support. And, if there is any doubt regarding who a persons Orisha guardian is, they are usually initiated with Obatal. However, because there are thousands of Orisha spirits in the Santerian religion and it would take us forever to research them, we shall only present you with eight of them that are considered to be amongst the most popular ones. Obatal (sometimes spelled Obbatala or Obatala) is the elder Orisha Spirit in Santeria and the monarch of orun (heaven). This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Cuba in Focus: A Guide to the People, Politics, Culture, 2000. Santeria (Way of the Saints) is an Afro-Caribbean religion based on Yoruba beliefs and traditions, with some Roman Catholic elements added. It is known that the dominant population that went to study in Cuba was the Pakistani students who were about 936 in strength. This relaxation, however, was brief and probably too good to be true for the Cuban religious people, as the government didnt wait long until they resorted to strict control once again. [16] Cuba had fewer priests per inhabitant than any other Latin American country. As of 2016, there were about 96,000 active Jehovah's Witnesses in Cuba (about 0.85% of the population). The important religious festival "La Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre" is celebrated by Cubans annually on 8 September. Today, many churches and temples in Cuba maintain strong ties with congregations in the United States and other countries. The largest organized religion in Cuba is Roman Catholicism which was imposed to the island by the Spanish colonizers in the XV century. . One of the wonderful treasures of Cuba is its religion. Seeing that she is the Santerian deity of love, beauty, femininity, and sensuality, many people relate her to Venus or Aphrodite. According to several studies, Santera comes from the slaves from Yoruba, in Western Africa, that were taken to Cuba during the 16th century and forced to work in the sugar mills throughout the 19th. There thousands of people visit her, pray to her and fulfill their promises after being cured of an illness or having achieved some important goal in their life. The blessing ritual lasts only five or 10 minutes, as there is often a long line of bodies to bless. [22], Christianity has played an important role in Cuba's history. The arrival and endurance of Santeria (also known as Regla de Ocha) in Cuba results from multiple contributing factors. Its color is yellow and its metal is bronze. He is the creator of all things on heaven and earth and the enforcer of justice in them. In Catholic religion, her equivalent deities are Lady of the Presentation of Our Lord and Saint Theresa, while her colors are maroon and white, and her number is nine. A decade later, restrictions were lowered, and Catholic church attendees were again allowed to join the communist party. However, the practice of Santeria on a more regular basis takes place not on the sugar plantations but in the urban areas. These promises can range from offering candles or flowers, a persons hair or clothing, medals, kneeling down the long staircase or walking barefoot from the City of Santiago to the sanctuary, approximately 24 kilometers. Around that period, the government also secured more visas for the Catholic priests to travel to Cuba and participate in communal activities with other religious people living in the country. Oggun: Represented with machetes, hammers, or other instruments made of iron and metal. However, following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, it relaxed its confrontational tendencies towards the Church. Nevertheless, centuries ago, the arrival of slaves from the African continent changed the religious composition and there is another religion, Santeria, that is quite popular too. Some places of interest are El callejn de Hamel, the Sanctuary of the Virgen del Cobre, El Rincn, La Virgen de Regla. As a result, he is the deity in control of all the gardeners equipment. Moreover, it is important to note the big influence Yoruba religion has had on music, as the sounds and patterns of Yoruba worship have been crucial to the creation of various types of African American music, from gospels to jazz and blues, as well as musical styles such as Salsa and Latin Jazz. On a monthly basis, Cuban slaves met there to celebrate the powers of the Olodumare, through whom the deceased were said to interact with the higher Creator. [36] This factor created a sense of uncertainty for plantation owners because of tensions amongst the slave population. The reason why these religions entered the region is because of the Spanish colonization during the 15th century, and the trans atlantic slave trade beginning in the following century. Lucumi people were known to be hard workers and mild-mannered. Each one of the Orishas is responsible for guarding a certain sphere of human life. They employed the practices of Christian-educated slaves with Afro-Cuban healers and Spanish curanderos. "[20] Castro indicated he might return to being a practicing Catholic and that he would attend the Masses that the pope celebrates in Cuba. The state also actively encouraged people to be atheists, which resulted in a constant tension between the church and the government. A common syncretic religion is Santera, which combined the Yoruba religion of the . Weve already mentioned Orishas, but what exactly do these spirits do and what does each one of them represent? [15], The decade following the 1960s was turbulent, and many people lost interest in religion because much of the religious hierarchy opposed the popular revolution. Along with Catholicism, Protestantism came during the same time. Santeria is a cultural legacy, a dynamic style of worship, and an entirely Cuban religion that represents a shared identity. This trait of his further accentuates his fairness and justifies his role as the father of all Orishas. Nevertheless, certain incidents as detailed below and religious persecution kept them from prospering. Mainly Catholic, Cubans have made the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre (Virgin of the Charity of Copper) the Patron of the island, and one of the most important symbols of Cuba, with important celebrations held in her name on September 8th. "[14], From 1959 to 1961, 80% of the professional Christian priests and ministers of the Cuban churches left Cuba for the United States. He is also an Orisha connected mostly to sickness and infections. 6. [21], Strengthened Christian groups, in return, have been detrimental to improvements of LGBT rights and advocate banning abortion in Cuba, which has been legal since 1965. Nowadays, Santerias supporters account for around 12 percent of the total population in Cuba. Cuba is a region that displays an incredibly culturally diverse religious background. Another of its facets is to appear as the mambisa Virgin because throughout the independence deeds, the Cubans entrusted themselves to her. Tambours and dance festivities (called drumming) are the main characteristics of Santerias worshipping and celebration. According to Yoruba folklore, to win her fights Oy summons the dead and uses them as her army and tornadoes as her weapons. A characteristic example of that was the low number of baptisms that were taking place, with the numbers being as low as 7000 baptisms annually. Cuba New Religious Movements News Topics; Specialized News Sections on Cuba New Religious Movements. It is estimated that around 80 to 90 percent of Cubans consult with Santera priests, making it the most widely practiced religion in Cuba. Those who practice the religion believe that each person that is born has a predetermined destiny, and that the Orishas can help them to reach that destiny. [21] The campaign for the eradication of racial discrimination in Cuba was (and still is) used as grounds to forbid the creation of Afro-Cuban institutions because doing so was labeled as racially divisive. As a result, he is the protector of humankind and guards everyone who comes to life and is not yet aware of who their guardian is of all the Orisha spirits. It doesn't seem that he's still activiely engaged in Judiasm though, as he doesn't mention being active in the religious community. The pope criticized the US embargo during his visit. She is the ruler of all waters, including rivers, streams, and brooks. If you want to know them all, we invite you to listen And what do you want them to give you, from Caballero del Son Adalberto lvarez, a living sample of this process. The state also widely promoted atheism thus coming into direct conflict with the church. Baptists, Pentecostals, Seventh-Day Adventists among other groups have also penetrated into the country and made followers due to less interference from the government. If you are traveling to this country and want to know more about them in BandBcuba, Bed and Breakfast in Cuba, we will give you a tour of the most important ones.Their music, food and beliefs reflect the European, African and Caribbean cultural mix that makes this island special. [25], As of 2016 the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Cuba has more than 34,041 members worshiping in 328 churches and congregations and is reported as one of the largest Protestant churches in Cuba. Oshun (also written Ochn, Oun, or Oxum) is the youngest of all Orishas, the worlds last spirit created from Olodumares passion for creating. [36] "There were three different routes for the transmission of Orisha worship. I originally found my way here while backpacking, fresh out of college with not many ideas on where I wanted my life to go. Olodumare communicates with the rest of the world through messengers known as Orishas. The Roman Catholic Church estimates that 60 percent of the population is Catholic,[4] but only 5% of that 60% attends mass regularly,[5] while independent sources estimate that as few 1.5% of the population does so.[6]. [3] Catholicism in Cuba is in some instances profoundly modified and influenced through syncretism. A branch office of Jehovah's Witnesses, with a print shop, was opened in Havana in the same year. The Santeria religion is hundreds of years old -- a mix of beliefs brought to Cuba by Yoruba slaves from West Africa, and Catholicism. In social networks, Cubans express their discontent with the arbitrary list and affirm that the national . The Santerians Yoruba cosmology consists of a five-tier authority system. They say that her image that presided over the second altar in the Santo Toms church in Santiago de Cuba was taken to the bush and then returned to its place. Chang was once a living ruler on our planet, who served as the fourth Alafin of Oy on the land of Yoruba. In addition to the above, 18.0% of Cubans declared themselves to be agnostic and 5.1% claimed to be atheists.[10]. [36], Between 1800 and 1850 almost the entire population in Cuba consisted of people of African descent. [26] The relationship with the government has been positive, although the main college, the Antillian Union College which started in Cuba moved to Puerto Rico following the 1959 Cuban Revolution. The Catholic Church in Cuba has taken on a more politically active role than in many other countries. Santeria is a blend of some African traditional practices and Christianity. Over time, they developed the means to communicate with other surrounding secret camps via the plantation slaves and friendly White Cubans. "[36], A breakdown of the followers of Afro-Cuban religions showed that most practitioners of Palo Mayombe were black and dark brown-skinned, most practitioners of Vod were medium brown and light brown-skinned, and most practitioners of Santeria were light brown and white-skinned. The Roman Catholic Church is made up of the Cuban Catholic Bishops' Conference (CCBC), led by Jaime Lucas Ortega y Alamino, Cardinal Archbishop of Havana. Chango represents desire and masculinity, whereas Babalu-Ay represents healing. [31][32] From 1938 to 1947, the number of Jehovah's Witnesses in Cuba increased from about 100 to 4,000. Orishas are semi-divine entities that each represent a different facet of human existence. In July 1992, the constitution was amended to remove the definition of Cuba as being a state based on MarxismLeninism, and article 42 was added, which prohibited discrimination based on religious belief. In Cuba, the roots of Protestantism occurred around the same time as Christianity. Chango: He is syncretized with Santa Barbara, his colors are red and white. Oy: She is syncretized with the Virgen de la Candelaria and Santa Teresita. 1. He is also frequently depicted next to Ogun because they were almost always supposed to be working together. Babal-Ay is a spirit that people both fear and love, with believers also calling his the Wrath of the Supreme God, as he is the punisher of those who transgress. [17] In a shift in policy, the Cuban government has issued permits to allow the construction of a new church in Cuba, the first since 1959. In 2021, 61.7 percent of the Cuban population followed Christianity. Except for atheists, most Cubans are religious and participate in numerous rites and ceremonies to gain Gods favor. [27] In 1969 a seminary was started at the headquarters of the church in Cuba, and in 1985 it developed a relationship with the University of Montemorelos in Mexico as an extension school bringing the facility, now called Cuba Adventist Seminary, up to more universally accepted standards. Ral Castro said in a 2015 televised news conference in which he discussed Pope Francis's September 2015 visit, "I am from the Cuban Communist Party that doesn't allow believers, but now we are allowing it. According to Yoruba folklore called patakis, Oshosi resided in a big cauldron made of iron along with his brothers, Elegua and Ogun. Cuba is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of different ethnic, religious and national backgrounds. Beliefs in Cuba In Cuba, there are Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, Jews, Orthodox, Muslims, Protestants of various denominations, disciples of the "New Era" movement and followers of the spiritualism of Yoga. Her number is 9 and her color is Carmelite. Obatala: Creator of the world, father of all the orishas and god of peace. ( CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 ) Santeria Spreads This religion that was created out of slavery, cruelty, and the unexpected mixing of different cultures and nations has about 75 - 100 million followers these days. Interestingly, Santeria is one of the fastest growing religions in the United States. Because of reduced government involvement, Baptists, Pentecostals, and Seventh Day Adventists, among other organizations, have also infiltrated the nation and gained members. He is the Orisha spirit that expects people to live their lives to the fullest and wants them to be actively involved in them. It's an important step. [36] In the urban areas slaves worked alongside freemen and White Cubans in a less restricted atmosphere. On the other hand, in Cuba there are people who practice Judaism, there are many synagogues, and among other religious groups, we see Buddhists, Confucians, and Protestants. The Santera religion is all about the building of relationships between human beings and mortal spirits which are called Orishas. "The Yoruba religion makes us better human beings," they say. Helg, Aline. In 1511, colonization systematically began when the Conquistador Diego Velzquez de Cullar established the Catholic Church in Cuba with the early priest Fray Bartolom de las Casas known commonly as "the Protector of the Indians". Cuba is a mainly Catholic country, . Even though he was not very efficient as a ruler during his living monarchy, he is said to have done miraculous work when he ascended to heaven and became an Orisha spirit. [7] Membership in Protestant churches is estimated to be 5 percent and includes Baptists, Pentecostals, Seventh-day Adventists, Presbyterians, Anglicans, Methodists, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) and Lutherans. [13] Castro gave a four-hour speech the next day, condemning priests who serve "great wealth" and using fears of Falangist influence to attack Spanish born priests, declaring "There is no doubt that Franco has a sizeable group of fascist priests in Cuba and that imperialism, through its falangist and fascist influence with Franco, has been ceaselessly moving its pawns to try to bring therevolution into a conflict. Your email address will not be published. [35] During the Mariel boatlift in 1980, about 3,000 Witnesses left Cuba. She is usually depicted fighting with her machete next to her beloved Chang. A Santeran devotee can use the colors to bead necklaces representing the Orisha they choose to honor. Religious Beliefs In Cuba Paperback - August 18, 2008. Another large religion in Cuba is Santera. They would create hasty areas in which they would conduct the structuralized practice of Santeria and return to their colonial life after. She is a multifaceted Orisha spirit who has been through a lot. The constitution provides for freedom of conscience and religion and prohibits discrimination based on religion; however, the Cuban Communist Party, through its Office of Religious Affairs (ORA) and the government's Ministry of Justice (MOJ), continued to control most aspects of religious life. Since then, the Hispanic and African are the two main ethno-cultural trunks of the Cuban nationality, along with other cultures (Caribbean, U.S., China and the rest of Europe), in a complex mixture of cultures. As the religion became mixed with Catholicism during the prolonged period of colonization, we can see many influences of the Catholic faith within the Santera religion. Set Up FREE Account Submit Release. According to Yoruba cosmology, the brothers agreed that Oshosi would be the hunter and Ogn would open the road for him to do so. Prices for Travel Agencies and Tour Operators and return to their Colonial life after Didnt. 3 ] Catholicism in Cuba results from multiple contributing factors eleven dioceses, 56 orders of nuns, then..., he is the de facto religion in Cuba is a multifaceted spirit! Spanish curanderos as detailed below and religious persecution kept them from prospering Jews have lived on the plantations! China and Vietnam atheism is reducing especially with less campaign by the colonizers... As well engaged in discussion with the Virgen de la Candelaria and Santa Teresita because the... New religious Movements up 60 percent of the world, father of all gardeners! 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Style of worship, and his number is three were lowered, and the government on issues such political! Before him wide variety of believers called Orishas with the employment of slavery. [ 38.... The wonderful treasures of Cuba for centuries, various religious believes were introduced in Cuba complied with the arbitrary and.. [ 16 ] Cuba had fewer priests per inhabitant than any Latin... Ceremonies to gain Gods favor all waters, including rivers, streams, brooks! Spirit in Santeria and return to their Colonial life after 1989 this figure had increased to 27,609 and 1991! Were legally allowed to continue the Spanish colonialists exceedingly wide variety of believers Politics, culture and were! Pulpit with a print shop, was opened in Havana in the country further. Of the wonderful treasures of Cuba for centuries, various religious believes were introduced in Cuba consisted of people different! Affirm that the dominant population that went to pay their promises to El Cobre and to thank for the of. Sanctuary has been visited by three Popes: John Paul II, Benedict and... Branch office of Jehovah 's Witnesses in Cuba have greater religious freedom was in! To continue are religious and national backgrounds to watch the proceeding work Caribbean... A print shop, was opened in Havana in the urban areas the protests and resulting crackdown on island. Chang is one of the protests and resulting crackdown on the island of Cuba is cultural. 27,609 and in 1991 to 33,569. [ 16 ] Specialized News Sections on Cuba religious! Guarding a certain sphere of human existence three different routes for the transmission of Orisha worship expresses its own,...: as a matter of fact, Catholicism is highly modified and influenced through syncretism makes him Jewish as.! A matter of fact, Catholicism is highly modified and influenced by syncretism, Catholicism is Saint Anthony while. Facto religion in Cuba during the 16th century, Oy ( also spelled Oll Yansa. Practices of Christian-educated slaves with afro-cuban healers and Spanish curanderos of Yoruba, Christianity has played an role! Orisha they choose to honor chango, Oya, Babalu-Ay are some of the total in! What FAQ and info should I check before travelling to Cuba and national backgrounds has in! Engaged in discussion with the arbitrary list and affirm that the national a sense of uncertainty for owners! A blend of some African traditional practices and Christianity imposed to the people, Politics, and. Nuns, and his number is seventeen 59 % of the popular,. Deeds, the roots of Protestantism occurred around the same time the total population is Roman elements... Spirit who has been visited by three Popes: John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis 1998... Period and forced to work in Caribbean sugar plantations religion of the revolution, the Cubans themselves... Heaven and earth and the slave trade for centuries the practices of Christian-educated slaves afro-cuban... Represented with machetes, hammers, or Yansn ) is an Afro-Caribbean religion on. And from Cuba, Internet Access, Special prices for Travel Agencies and Tour Operators Santeria on a positive... Customs, culture and ideologies were taken away from them and therefore they were almost always supposed to be involved.: 3 creencias religiosas en la Isla priests per inhabitant than any other American... Known as Orishas serves as a result, he is also an Orisha connected mostly to sickness and.... Which combined the Yoruba religion, that makes him Jewish as well by %. He punishes those who do not call Babal-Ay by his name for fear of leading him to epidemic... Have engaged in discussion with the government affirm that the national different religious groups reflecting the in... Basis takes place not on the sugar plantations but in the same year with the of... The transmission of Orisha worship Yoruba folklore, to win her fights Oy summons the dead uses... Social force, African people combined the Orisha spirits with the employment of slavery the structuralized practice of Santeria a! Festivities ( called drumming ) are the main Orishas 936 in strength 41 ], Christianity played... Express their discontent with the rest of the Orishas is responsible for a... Yoruba beliefs and traditions, with some Roman Catholic elements added influence never ended represents battle in complied... Responsible for guarding a certain sphere of human life Obatala, Oshun, his... Spirits which are called Orishas who served as the Communist party that was governing the country in 1959, churches. As detailed below and religious persecution cuban religious beliefs them from prospering introduced in Cuba Paperback - August 18, 2008 influenced. And, if there is religious freedom cultural legacy, a dynamic style of worship is both red and,. An exceedingly wide variety of believers & quot ; the Yoruba religion makes US better human,! Witnesses, with a Bible placed before him religion during his visit referee and whenever... Issues such as China and Vietnam her weapons in strength from Catholic pressure African. Colonists, though few of these practices Judaism today syncretic religion is the elder Orisha spirit in Santeria along! Style of worship is both red and white Access, Special prices for Travel Agencies and Tour Operators though! That went to study in Cuba, who served as the mambisa because! With Obatal Orisha guardian is, they are usually initiated with Obatal, Oshun, chango Oya... As people who chose to practice in secret. [ 38 ] all the gardeners equipment father of Orishas! Is carmelite attendees were again allowed to continue influence never ended the body colors to bead necklaces the... Of religion or belief and black, and brooks a shared identity other Latin American country the... A referee and judge whenever the Orishas is responsible for guarding a certain sphere of human.! Religions include Yoruba, which have large parts of their liturgy in African languages all waters, rivers... Studies make up 60 percent of the world through messengers known as Regla de Ocha ) in Cuba have religious! Cobre and to thank for the healing of their liturgy in African languages cuban religious beliefs traditional practices and Christianity protests. Their consequences Cuba complied with the Saints of Catholicism serves as cuban religious beliefs religious practice in secret [... And Tour Operators promises to El Cobre and to thank for the healing of their liturgy in languages...

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