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From 1959 to 1992 Cuba was an atheist state. At the beginning of that period many Catholic schools were closed because the Cuban government believed the message being delivered to the pupils was dangerous.
In 1991, however, the Communist Party lifted its prohibition against religion and a year later the constitution was amended and Cuba became a secular state. Another 5 years later Christmas was again an official public holiday thanks to the request of Pope John Paul II´s request when visiting the island in 1997.
Nowadays, Roman Catholicism is the major organized religion in Cuba, though the percentage drops precipitously for practicing Catholics. A variety of Afro-Cuban religions like Santería and Abakuá are also widely practiced in these days. Santería developed out of the traditions of the Yoruba, one of the African peoples who were imported to Cuba as slaves to work on the sugar plantations. Santería blends elements of Roman Catholicism and West African beliefs and as such made it possible for the slaves to retain their traditional beliefs while appearing to practice Catholicism. Worshipped are Yoruba West African gods and Roman Catholic Saints and its rites include animal sacrifice and worship of ancestors.
There are other religions practiced in Cuba. These include Protestant (the second largest organized religion), Evangelical, Pentecostal and Jewish faiths. There is also a Greek Orthodox Church as well as practice of Buddhism and Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Havana's Casa de Africa Museum, Obrapía 157, between San Ignacio and Mercaderes in La Habana Vieja , has exhibits on Santeria for if you want to know more. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00am to 5:00pm and Sunday from 9:00am to 1:00pm. Spanish-speaking travelers can also arrange for a santero or babalao (high priest) to perform ritualistic divinations. |
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