Cuba's Santeria priests ask for peace as Cuba-US tensions rise further
Amid escalating tensions between Cuba and the United States, practitioners of Santería, an Afro-Cuban religion, conducted ceremonies on Sunday, offering gifts to deities with the aim of fostering peace.
Amid escalating tensions between Cuba and the United States, practitioners of Santería, an Afro-Cuban religion, conducted ceremonies on Sunday, offering gifts to deities with the aim of fostering peace.
Key figures in Santería communities across the island engaged in prayers for the "spiritual healing" of the Cuban populace, seeking an end to anticipated violence and conflicts predicted in late December. The ceremonies featured chants in ancient Yoruba, a language introduced to Cuba by enslaved Africans and preserved through oral traditions. The fusion of African and Spanish customs has contributed to a distinct Afro-Cuban cultural identity.
Lázaro Cuesta, a babalawo who led a ceremony, stated, “We rely on our faith to conduct these ceremonies and sacrifices to mitigate the impact.”
Cuesta further noted, “Unless those in power comprehend the message of Ifa, the Yoruba divination system, preventing the forewarned disasters will be challenging.”
Amid escalating tensions between Cuba and the United States, practitioners of Santería, an Afro-Cuban religion, conducted ceremonies on Sunday, offering gifts to deities with the aim of fostering peace.
On January 2, Cuban babalawos predicted potential war and violence affecting the nation. Subsequently, on January 3, the United States initiated an operation in Caracas that resulted in the arrest of then-President Nicolás Maduro and the death of 32 Cuban soldiers from his security detail. Venezuela's close political, ideological, and commercial ties with Cuba mean the incident had a significant impact on the Cuban populace.
Cuba is currently facing heightened US sanctions, which are impacting its economy. Additionally, President Donald Trump has issued direct threats against the nation.
Eraimy Léon, a babalawo, stated, “We perform these spiritual cleansings to foster discipline and manage violence,” emphasizing the ceremonies' societal and familial importance.
Santera Yusmina Hérnandez expressed her faith in the practices, stating, “We believe in what we do.” During the ceremonies, participants, dressed in white and adorned with necklaces and headdresses, presented offerings and knelt before a large basket surrounded by various grains, corn, beans, and eggs.
Based on reporting by Africanews.
