Itinerary
November 30 – December 7, 2016
Afro-Cuban Cultures and Religions:
Santa Bárbara/ Changó Festival
November 30 – December 7, 2016
Afro-Cuban Cultures and Religions: Santa Bárbara/ Changó Festival
Proposed Itinerary For Glenda Hills and Group
Please note that some parts of this itinerary may be subject to change. Any substitutions will be done for equal or greater value.
Wed 11.30
Thur 12.01
Fri 12.02
Sat 12.03
Sun 12.04
Mon 12.05
Tue 12.06
Wed 12.07
| Day 1 | Miami – Santa Clara, Cuba |
|---|---|
| Departure from Miami | |
| Arrival in Santa Clara | |
| Clear customs; Dairo Moreno and Cynthia Duncan will meet you at the airport (with guide). You’ll go by private air-conditioned bus to downtown Cienfuegos. | |
| Welcome meeting with delegation from ICAP (Institute for Friendship between People). | |
| Walking tour of historical center of downtown Cienfuegos and bus tour of Punta Gorda. | |
| Opportunity to visit artisan fair and buy souvenirs. | |
| Drop off at Casas Particulares (bed and breakfast style lodging). | |
| 7:00 PM: | Welcome dinner in a paladar. |
| Evening cultural activities optional. | |
| Accommodations: Hotel or Casa Particular Dinner provided | |
| Day 2 | Cienfuegos |
|---|---|
| 7:30 AM: | Breakfast in the Casa Particular |
| 8:45 AM: | Pick up at designated bus stop |
| 9:00 AM: | Meetings / workshops at University of Cienfuegos |
| Welcome activity at the University | |
|
Meeting with Prof. Orlando García, president of the Provincial chapter of UNEAC, Prof. Esperanza Madruga, Prof. Dictinio Díaz. Topics for discussion: The arrival of Africans in Cuba, the plantation economy and slavery in Cuba, African influences on Cuban culture, participation of blacks in Cuba’s wars of independence, blacks in early republican times (1903-1940s), and the impact the revolution had on their lives. |
|
| 12:00 PM: | Lunch at the University |
| 1:45 PM: | Meet at designated bus stop |
| 2:00 PM: | Meetings/ workshops in Palmira with Sociedades religiosas |
| Meet with the director of the municipal museum in Palmira, an introduction to the history of the city, its founding and its important historical figures; visit to the Sociedad el Cristo, meeting with the president and other society members, history of the place and leading historical figures associated with it; Cultural Gala (drumming, dancing, singing); presentation by professional folkloric (Orisha) dance group; conversations with some of the oldest Orisha priest and priestesses in the town. Visit to the Cabildo San Antonio, meeting with president, and brief history of the place. | |
| 5:45 PM: | Return to Cienfuegos |
| Dinner on your own | |
| Evening cultural activities optional | |
| Accommodations: Hotel or Casa Particular Lunch and Dinner on Your Own | |
| Day 3 | Cienfuegos – Palmira |
|---|---|
| 7:30 AM: | Breakfast at your house |
| 8:45 AM: | Pick up at designated bus stop |
| 9:00 AM: |
Meetings / workshops at University of Cienfuegos with Prof. Atabey Medina, Prof. Lisbel Fumero, Prof. Dictinio Díaz Topics: Afro-Cuban religions (Regla de Ocha/ Ifa, palo monte/ regla conga), their influence on Cuban culture; discussion of research projects and oral histories carried out in local Afro-Cuban enclaves, findings and projects for the future. |
| 12:00 PM: | Lunch at the University |
| 1:45 PM: | Meet at designated bus stop |
| 2:00 PM: | Meetings/ workshops in Palmira with Sociedades |
| Visit to the Sociedad San Roque, meeting with president and other sociedad members, history of the place and important historical figures associated with it; identification and discussion of ritual clothing for oricha activities; preparation and presentation of adimuses (ritual food for the orichas); class on religious dances and songs; visit to the church in Palmira (historical site related to religious syncretism). | |
| 5:00 PM: | Return to Cienfuegos |
| Dinner on your own | |
| Evening cultural activities optional | |
| Accommodations: Hotel or Casa Particular Lunch Provided, Dinner on Your Own | |
| Day 4 | Cienfuegos – Palmira |
|---|---|
| 7:30 AM: | Breakfast at your house |
| 8:00 AM: | Time for individual projects and meetings |
| 10:15 AM: | Pick up at designated bus stop |
| 10:30 PM: | Meetings/ workshops in Palmira with Sociedades |
| Visit to the Sociedad el Cristo, preparations for the Santa Bárbara festival; tribute to San Lázaro (Babalú Ayé) with drumming and dancing for the wellbeing of the community and the participants, agban (ritual cleansing ceremony); visit to the botanical garden in Palmira, discussion of the use of herbs in medicinal and spiritual practices; visit the Sociedad Santa Bárbara, meet with president and members of the society, learn about the history of the place and important historical figures associated with it, learn about the festival of Santa Bárbara/ Changó and discuss the idea of religious syncretism in Cuba | |
| Lunch in Palmira at one of the sociedades | |
| 6:00 PM: | Return to Cienfuegos |
| Dinner on your own | |
| Evening cultural activities optional | |
| Accommodation: Hotel or Casa Particular Breakfast, Lunch Provided, Dinner on Your Own | |
| Day 5 | Fiesta de Santa Bárbara / Changó |
|---|---|
| 7:30 AM: | Breakfast at your house |
| 8:00 AM: | Time for individual projects and meetings |
| 10:15 AM: | Pick up at designated bus stop |
| 10:10 AM: | Meetings/ workshops in Palmira with Sociedades |
| Visit to Sociedad Santa Bárbara, opportunity to meet members of the community and take photos of the activities and celebrations in honor of Santa Bárbara / Changó; presentation of adimus (offerings) to Changó; conversation with babalawos about their role in the religion; preparations for the procession for Santa Bárbara; Depart from Sociedad el Cristo at 4 p.m. to take part in the town procession and other cultural activities. | |
| Lunch in Palmira at one of the sociedades | |
| 6:00 PM: | Return to Cienfuegos |
| Dinner on your own | |
| Evening cultural activities optional | |
| Accommodation: Hotel or Casa Particular Breakfast, Lunch Provided, Dinner on Your Own | |
| Day 6 | Cienfuegos |
|---|---|
| 7:30 AM: | Breakfast in the Casa Particular |
| 8:45 AM: | Pick up at designated bus stop |
| 9:00 AM: | Meetings / workshops at University of Cienfuegos |
| African influences in music and dance; classes/ workshops of popular Cuban music and dances | |
| 12:00 PM: | Lunch at the University |
| 1:45 PM: | Meet at designated bus stop |
| 2:00 PM: | Meetings/ workshops in Palmira with Sociedades |
| Visit to a casa-ilé (home temple); workshop on the preparation and elaboration of a “throne” for orisha functions; construction of the throne; piñata party in honor of the Ibeyis (Twins), the children of Changó, and for the children of the town of Palmira; celebration of the festival of the Ibeyis with the people of Palmira. | |
| 5:00 PM: | Return to Cienfuegos |
| Dinner on your own | |
| Evening cultural activities optional | |
| Accommodation: Hotel or Casa Particular Breakfast, Lunch Provided, Dinner on Your Own | |
| Day 7 | Cienfuegos |
|---|---|
| 7:30 AM: | Breakfast at your house |
| 8:00 AM: | Time for individual projects and meetings |
| 10:15 AM: | Pick up at designated bus stop |
| 10:30 AM: | Debriefing session with university administrators and Civitas representatives; plans for future collaborations and feedback about program |
| 11:45 AM: | Depart for Cultural activity/ Closing celebration at Rancho Cristal (with representatives from the university and religious societies) |
| 5:00 PM: | Return to Cienfuegos |
| Dinner on your own | |
| Evening cultural activities optional | |
| Accommodation: Hotel or Casa Particular Breakfast Provided, Lunch and Dinner on Your Own | |
| Day 8 | Cienfuegos – Miami |
|---|---|
| Departure for Miami via Santa Clara | |
| Accommodation: Hotel or Casa Particular Breakfast Provided | |
Many of the activities will be in Spanish, but English translators/ interpreters will be on hand.
*Cienfuegos offers many attractive venues for music, such as the Patio del Teatro Terry, the UNEAC patio, the Patio of the Beny Moré Cultural Center, etc. Once we get to Cienfuegos, we’ll provide you with information about who is performing, where and when, and if there is enough interest in going as a group, we can provide the bus as transportation.
This is a people-to-people trip covered under general license as per 31 CFR §515.565(b) the United States Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control. Civitas Global Educational Services is a licensed provider of people-to-people travel. (License No. CT-2014-312375-1)
If you are interested in taking this trip for-credit or incorporating it into your academic program, contact us at CubaPrograms@CivitasGES.com.
EXPERIENCE AFRO-CUBAN CULTURE
See the beautiful religious syncretism of Cuba's
Afro-Cuban Culture and Religions first hand.
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Check out Professor Duncan’s blog, AboutSanteria.com to learn more about the history and significance of the Lucumí religion.