Truman State University Spring Break trip to Cuba
March 10-18, 2018
Afro-Cuban religions (March 14)
Omara
Syncretism, and one is Santeria. 15-19th cent sugar plantation economy. Est. 80% african pop practiced religion, and brought different ones to Cuba. Nigeria, Uruba, agriculture. Same religious beliefs, but converted to catholicism in Americas. Strong faith, and look for similarities with catholicism=syncretism. Polytheism, with everyone protected by saint (santeras/os).
Cuban rev discriminated against religion. Law said respected freedom of religion, but reality was persecution in 1960s. Believers hide faith, and didn't baptize kids. 1971: only 7k baptisms. 1989-91: increase. 1985: Fidel & Religion opens space, call of soviet union. 1991: allow religion. 1992: constitution change allows practice of religion w/o discrimination. Opens up space for afro-cuban religion.
80% of pop believe in Santeria
Each saint has number: how many tributes to give to each one (eg, 9 candies)