Academics and Lifelong Learners Experience Afro-Cuban Cultures and Religions

In March 2016, academics and lifelong learners experienced Afro-Cuban cultures and religions through a collaborative workshop sponsored by Civitas GES. The workshop was held jointly at the Universidad de Cienfuegos and the Lucumí/ Congo religious societies in Palmira from March 6 to 13, 2016. Using the concept of “experiential learning” as its framework, participants learned about the topic in university classrooms with specialists in the field, and then spent each afternoon directly engaged with the community in Palmira doing hands-on activities. Both academics and life-long learners found the program beneficial because it provided an in-depth look at a rich but little known aspect of Cuban culture, the African experience in Cuba.

Classes covered the history of Africans in Cuba, including their eventual integration into Cuban culture during the colonial period and the racial tensions that existed after slaves gained their freedom in the late 19th century. We discussed topics such as race and ethnicity in the construction of national identity and we looked at the contributions of Afro-Cubans to literature, art, music and dance. We learned about different religions that came to Cuba from Africa, such as Regla de Ocha (Santería) and Regla de Congo (Palo Monte) and the creation of “cabildos” or mutual aid societies for Cuban blacks in the early 20th century. In addition, we learned to sing and dance to African rhythms in special classes led by talented professionals who are on the faculty at U of Cienfuegos.

In Palmira, we visited a different religious society each day: El Cristo, Santa Bárbara, San Antonio, and San Roque, four of the oldest and most traditional Afro-Cuban cabildos in Central Cuba. At each place, the president of the organization and many members of the association greeted us warmly and explained the history of the society and its founders. We saw drumming, dancing and singing demonstrations, and had the opportunity to join in with the community in the ceremonies. We participated in hands-on workshops about the use of herbs for medicinal purposes, the preparation of adimus (ritual food) and the special clothing used in Santería ceremonies. In addition, we visited, with almost half the town of Palmira, a nearby river, where we held a tribute to Ochun, the orisha of love and beauty, with more dancing, singing and drumming and, of course, food! We visited the botanical garden and city museum in Palmira, where we learned more about the history of the town and the importance of herbal medicine in local culture. Our week culminated with a “piñata” party for the children of the town, and another drumming ceremony in honor of Elegua, the owner of the crossroads, with expressions of hope that this will be the first of many future encounters between Americans and Cubans who come together in friendship and solidarity to learn about each other’s cultures.