Cuba 101: Land of Syncretism

One cannot talk about Cuba without mentioning Cuba’s religion. This small island is home to an exceedingly wide variety of believers. If you walk through the streets, it would be impossible to overlook its cultural and religious richness. You would be astounded by the diversity and social tolerance.

For that reason, let’s take a look at how religion lives in the hearts of Cubans.

But first… a bit of history

The existence of a religion, or at least the very beginning of what could be called such, dates back to the first indigenous communities that inhabited Cuba. These historical communities have developed their own belief systems.

Each community practised their own particular rituals, rites, praying to different gods, and always gave a sort of offering or gift while expecting something in return of course. They all saw the devotion, and adoration to their deities as part of life’s natural cycle, thus avoiding discrepancies between believers and non-believers.

Besides that, there was an important character amongst the villagers, considered the highest authority, in regard to beliefs. It was the “behíque”, a sort of shaman, the one who would communicate and establish contact with the spirits and gods thus enabling him to know their will and communicate their will to the tribe. For such purpose, they would all dance, pray, and often practice rituals such as “areíto”, which involved music, dance as well as ecstasy-inducing beverages, which were primal in order to perform it correctly.

All of these communities lived freely and in peace until the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the island in the fifteenth century. He supposedly offered salvation, however, it meant something entirely different from the tribes’ perspective. It brought great changes to the local communities, eventually leading to the beginning of an annihilation process, which ultimately condemned this local culture to oblivion.

Simultaneously, African slaves began to be imported to the island, marking the inception of a new period. This would eventually give birth to what we call transculturation.

With the Spanish conquest, Catholicism was introduced to Cuba, as a way of dominating the indigenous inhabitants, as well as the African slaves. The latter, however, did not entirely perish under this domain. Away from their homeland, they found shelter in their own religions practised back in Africa.

Of course, it was not possible for them to practice as they did, therefore they needed to find a new way of doing it. Thusly, Santeria, one of the most influential religious practices (to this day) was born within this dynamic.

Religion nowadays and life in a multi-religious country

As we have seen, from the beginning of Cuban history, religion has never been a one-way road. Instead, it has been through time, and syncretism, that it came to its true form. Nowadays, several beliefs coexist within the country, nevertheless, there are two main roots that stand out from the rest.

Spanish Roots

The Spanish brought with them their culture, religion, costumes, education, and way of living. They enslaved Africans and taught them the way of Catholicism and the Catholic Church. Through time, the Catholics took care of high education and remained tied to the Spanish Crown.

After 1898 however, it was not like that anymore, since it was seen as a Spanish inheritance. The creole inhabitants were not pleased by this existing structure, and so, they made it their own, which we can see now for what it is today.

For the time being, anyone can practise this religion, regardless of their roots. It is well respected and established throughout the country. Moreover, it is on good terms with the Vatican, and it holds a number of festivities every year.

African Roots

Regarding the African-based religions, there can be several, since the traded slaves came from different parts of Africa. The most popular amongst them is Santeria. Santeria was born as a way of disguising the Yoruba beliefs. Since the slaves were berated for practising their own religion, they had to come up with a secret way of doing it.

And so they did.

They started to conflate their deities with the Spanish saints. By doing so, they pretended to be Christian while performing their own rituals. Santeria or Regla de Ochá is mostly known for being really attached to music and dance. It’s one of its most appealing perks. In addition to that, costumes are worn in every festivity as a sign of honour and tribute to the deities.

Other

As for other Christianity religions, they are all permitted and practised across the Island. Albeit being a minority, they coexist peacefully within society. Some examples are Protestantism (brought from the US during the 20^th century), Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Seventh-Day Adventists.

What’s more, other non-western religions, such as Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism, are practised and have great representation on the Island.

Cuba is an ideal example that demonstrates how peaceful coexistence between people of different beliefs is possible. There’s no authority when it comes to religion or faith. And there is no greater respect than that between people who stand united in spite of different convictions.