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Las Mujeres Cubanas y la Santeria. Women Practicing Santeria in Cuba Nancy J. Padrón. Introduction. CUBA The most practiced religion on the Island is Santeria. Born among the African Yoruban people who were taken to Cuba as slaves between the 16 th and 19 th centuries. . Definition.
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Las Mujeres Cubanas y la Santeria Women Practicing Santeria in Cuba Nancy J. Padrón
Introduction CUBA The most practiced religion on the Island is Santeria. • Born among the African Yoruban people who were taken to Cuba as slaves between the 16th and 19th centuries.
Definition Santeria: • Means “veneration of the Saints” • Fuses African myths with Catholic Saints. • Syncretic religion Orisha: • A divine being, who like Catholic Saints, is petitioned on behalf of humanity and who’s origin stems from the religious worldview of the Yoruba people.
Obatala Virgen de las Mercedes Our Lady of Mercy Syncretization
Ochun Virgen de la Caridad (Patron Saint of Cuba) Our Lady of Charity Syncretization
Chango Santa Barbara St. Barbara Syncretization
Yemaya Virgen de Regla Our Lady of Rule Syncretization
Society in Cuba Santeria is understood to permeate all aspects of Cuban society. • Currently, it is estimated that between 91% and 96% of Cubans practice Santeria.
Ferminita Gomez Born in 1860 and Died in 1958 Omo Yemaya Yemaya Daughter
Ferminita Gomez • Was the first Santera to perform an Olokun Ceremony in Cuba – a very detailed and involved ceremony – that no one had been able to perform before her. • The rituals of this ceremony were passed down to her from her great, grandmother to her grandmother to her mother and then to her. • She was a respected Santera who was doted upon by many whites in Matanzas, Cuba.
Role of Women Contrary to the status of women in Cuba, particularly people of color who had been subjugated for centuries….. In Santeria, the women were respected and revered because they played an integral role in the hierarchy of the religion.
Santeras • The reason for this reverence was because women symbolically gave birth to their Godchildren in a ceremony called an “Asiento” (which is when the “Iyawo” (Initiate) is joined with the Orisha that claims them). • Asientos can not take place if Men are the only ones present. Symbolically, since men can not “give birth”
Santeras as Godmothers • Santeras take their role as Godmothers very seriously and from the moment the initate is born – the “baby Iyawo” is their responsibility and the care which includes instruction and training - is a lifetime commitment. Symbolic to Motherhood.
Women as Iyawos • The Iyawo after a year learns the teachings of her ancestors - is then ready to practice as a Santera as evaluated by the Godmother and by the learning that has taken place which prepares her to participate rituals and ceremonies.
Conclusion • Santeria, in spite of being a full fledged religion in its own right – was never granted the status of other religious institutions in Cuba. • Instead it was looked upon as a folkloric religion.
Conclusion • Paradoxically, today, due to the fact that Catholics and others were persecuted when Fidel Castro took over the country – Santeria has now taken its place within Cuban Society and Society at large.
Conclusion • There is a concern among Santeras, the Godchildren of Ferminita Gomez, that Santeria is allowed to be practiced not so much for its religious and spiritual reverence - but for its economic revenues as a main source of touristic attraction.
