Santeria celebration of San Lazarus - Guaro Cuba

[Bob Michaels]

San Lazarus or Babalú Ayé is one of the major Orishas or Saints in Santeria, an Afro-Cuban religion. I was in Guaro, a small village in eastern Cuba on 17 December, his day, and attended the local celebration which was at midnight and at high noon. All Santeria celebrations include rum, cigars, and candles. Major ones such as this also involve animal sacrifices, necessary to feed the spirits. 3 goats and 6 chickens were sacrificed at this one. Vera, the Santera or high priestess called me up first to dance with her, drink some rum, share a cigar, light a candle and receive blessings. Fortunately, I knew most of the protocol from previous celebrations. At noon, the animals were sacrificed and the heads, hearts, and skins were offered to the spirits. Then everyone ate the meat.

 

[NY_Dan]

Super photos. And what an experience -- especially for a photographer!

 

[Bob Michaels]

Dan, thanks. Fortunately I have some experience at Santeria ceremonies. I just love a religion that members take very seriously at all times but has no church hierarchy and involves drinking rum and smoking Cuban cigars at every ceremony.

Santeria is a very practical religion. To be elevated to the level of Santero or Santera, one must spend a year being reborn. Part of that involves no alcohol, no tobacco, and no sex for the year. But a Cuban friend got an exemption from the no sex rule because she supports her family as a prostitute.

 

[NY_Dan]

ah hahahaha -- that's preaching to the choir

Maybe someday we'll meet 🙂

 

[Emile de Leon]

Most excellent!! Thanks for the view in..

 

[MCTuomey]

Superb, Bob! I envy your familiarity. Afrocuban culture is fascinating - its people, its music (esp drums), its rituals, its dance. We owe it so much.

 

[helen.HH]

Hi Bob, Good shots !

reminds me of when I was in Haiti (Baby Doc era) , Me a young girl of seventeen immersed in a culture so foreign even to a new yorker
I had never seen poverty so extreme ... even the trees were stripped bare .... I gave away everything on that trip / came home empty handed

I went to a 'Vodou' ceremony up in the mountains behind Petionville
The Hougan/priest drank rum, fell into a trance, ate broken glass, sacrificed a rooster and drank some of the blood amidst the rhythm of drums, singing and dance
I suppose santeria & voodoo have similar beliefs and practices