#SHE EXPLORES AFRO-CUBAN RELIGION

Before I booked our Airbnb apartment, I booked this Afro Cuban Culture Tour Airbnb Experience.

1.  I was happy that I was able to find things to do, that directly supported the Cuban people.

2.  I was happy to have booked an experience that surrounded itself around African decent ideals, beliefs, and religious practices, inserting more history about how slaves continued to practice their religion, in a secret form, and what it means today.

3.  I was happy to be supporting a Brown girl and her business, in Cuba.

I found this tour through a travel group that I am part of on Facebook.  You have to be invited and approved by the administrator.  There, a young man posted about his week long trip to Cuba, and what he had scheduled each day, with links.  This happened to be one of them and I hopped on immediately.  I did so because the word "Afro" jumped right out at me.  This was my opportunity to learn more about Afro-Cubans.  

Adriana is ambitious, smart, funny, friendly, knowledgeable, and loves what she does.  She is only 25, but, figured out how she can weekly, work at the University (for the government), and on weekends, continue to be an educator for visitors.  She knows that most people are interested in visiting Havana, however, she wants you to learn about where she is from, a small town outside of Havana, called Guanabacoa.  She wants you to learn more about how her people, Afro Cubans, have survived and thrived in Cuba, with the support of the original religious practices, that is known today as Santeria (Worship of Saints), to some.  The other names that other may be familiar with include "Regla de Ochá", "La Regla de Ifá", "Lucumí".  

Originally, this religious practice was only practiced by African slaves and their descendants from Nigeria's Yoruba tribe.  There came a time where people of European and Spanish decent, began to practice the religion as well.  Africans allowed these people to be part of their "secret society".  You can walk around Cuba currently, and see more Euro and Spanish descendants, practicing this religion.  These people, do not see skin color, as some outsiders may say, since it originated with Africans.  They allowed others "in".  They see a spiritual practice that they believe will help them with their journey in life.

We met with Adriana at a coffee shop that was built out so nicely, and served us delicious coffee, or, what I had was coffee with a type of rum.  I was the dare devil for this tour.  Adriana created it.  Before I knew it, I was sweating, while she was giving us background information about Santeria, what the tour consists of, and, how it is practiced.

With our transportation already waiting for us outside, we rode to her town, Guanabacoa, to begin our tour.  Our 1st was stop at the museum dedicated to visitors who would like to learn more about the religious practice, how it originated, objects that are used, and the most recent Babalowo of the town (who passed recently). 

Listening to all the information, I now learned more about this practice, which definitely knocked the negative stigma that is attached to it, via word of mouth, or concepts passed on from those who as well, did not know much about it.  I loved it.

We proceed to walk the streets of Guanabacoa to our next stop.  People are staring at us and wondering why we are there.  Only a select few know about Adriana's tour, and welcome us to their town.  In passing, we briefly spoke with a woman who has begun her Santeria transition (which is a one year process of renewal). who was happy that we were interested in learning more about this practice in her town.  We continue to walk and end up, at the local outdoor bar :-).





At this bar, we sit, have a beer, and later notice, the design of the bar consists of the Orisha's of the Santeria religion.  Photos had to be taken!

My pants from the motherland :-) - Zanzibar

Orishas

We proceed down the road, passing many local homes and streets that you can clearly tell, assistance is needed.  Some buildings just need a little outside work, whereas others, needs full repair.  Most of the damage looks to be from the hurricanes that have passed over the island within the last year.  Lack of funds has left most of these homes and streets in disrepair.

DOGGIE!!

We arrive at the newest Babalowo of the town, home.

Here, if you wanted to participate, you received a cleans, and was given a history of the practice.  Please note, this guy is either in his late 20's or early 30's (can't quite remember).  He ascended into this role at a young age, which is a huge responsibility for a young person.  He is visited by many people!

After our cleanse, there was a surprise in the backyard.  Home cooked food, stuff you were not going to get in the heart of Havana.  MAN!  I do not remember all of what each item was, but these puffs with a little drizzle of some honey, boy o boy!  So good!

Our toast, was with Santero Rum, no chaser :-).

There was an additional surprise that I do not want to give away, as it is something that you need to see in and experience in person.  To note, there were more locals who joined us, who were a delight to see.  We ended with nice photos, enough rum in our system, and an experience that was unforgettable.

Our ride back to our apartment was outside ready to drop us off.  We had to freshen up and start our search again for food.

If your interested in visiting any other parts of the world, and want to get booked (payment plan options available), along with further information, e-mail me at ChristinaCtravels@gmail.com

An independent travel agent for TropicalTravel.net - We don't only book to the Caribbean
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