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  • Writer's pictureTuhoutd

Second week June 11-june17

Updated: Jun 24, 2018

The second week’s schedule is concentrated on African diaspora culture in Cuba. On Tuesday we visited Casa de Africa. Although I know the history of slavery before coming to Cuba, it is hard to imagine how African culture, particularly religion, mixed with catholic religion and religious believes from other diasporas in Cuba. For example, this picture shows the five spirits that protect Cuban people, Indian American, African, Chinese, Gypsies (Spanish), and Arabic.




The religious procession also mixed Catholic cross with processions and deities of Asian and African religion. Moreover, it is interesting to see how African diaspora revised their procession to adapt to local environment and culture. Cigar, which is believed to be an instrument to purify the spirit, is the most obvious adaptation. It is hard to believe until we saw women dressing white costume with cigar at hand in front of the church on Sunday.


On Thursday we had a wonderful salsa class. We start from the basic moves to dance together in group. It is very exciting to learn especially after you had been to bars and was frustrated by being unable to dance with the fast rhythm of salsa. And it is also important to understand through body experience that there will be no salsa without the rhythm of African dance. I wish we could have dance class everyday!!!




On Saturday we had a very intensive day trip to Regla to visit the only African religious church in Havana. In addition to that we also visited three museums with the lecture of Professor Manuel from the University of Havana. It is very helpful to have a professor who is specialized in religious study because we can learn much more than a tourist. Professor Manuel also led us to a private house where people showed us the authentic religious procession. In comparison with the explanation we get from visits to touristy place, for example, the Callejón de Hamel that we went on Sunday, this experience is very precious because we have people who inherit the practice from fathers to explain to us how they understand and practice the religion. Professor Manuel said it is impossible to understand Cuban culture without a deep understanding of the religious practice of African diaspora in Cuba. After watching the procession I realize how this religious practice has been deeply imbedded in the everyday life of Cuba people even though they might not practice it on a weekly routine. My host family has the decoration of santería alongside buddha and Jesus Christ.







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