During colonial times, African slaves transported to Cuba brought with them rituals and myths which gradually morphed into a new belief system called Santería. The process began as the different ethnic groups from Africa became exposed to the Spaniards’ Catholic beliefs. Although the practice of Santería was socially ostracized throughout the greater part of the 20th century, the religion has progressively gained relative popularity and acceptance worldwide. Cuban anthropologist Mercedes Cros Sandoval traces the emergence and development of this Afro-Cuban religion, from its origins in 19th century Cuba to its widespread practice outside of the Island today.
Dr. Cros Sandoval is professor emeritus of Miami Dade College and adjunct professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Miami. Regarded as one of the world’s leading authorities on Afro-Cuban religions, she is the author of several books, among them, Worldview, the Orichas and Santería: Africa to Cuba and Beyond (University Press of Florida, 2007) and Mariel and Cuban National Identity (Editorial Sibi, 1985). The presentation will be in Spanish and will be followed by a Q&A.
This presentation is part of our CreateNYC Language Access Series on Cuban History, Art, and Literature.
IT WILL BE STREAMED THROUGH OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL.
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UN BOSQUEJO HISTÓRICO DE LA SANTERÍA
This event is co-sponsored by Instituto Cervantes
And is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
With the promotional collaboration of
This presentation is an authorized edited version of a two-part series titled La santería, from Dr. Sandoval’s televised program Historia Cultural de Cuba, and is offered as a complementary event of the Cuban Cultural Center of New York’s 20th consecutive annual congreso, its flagship event, this year titled La Iglesia en Cuba: Legado histórico, cultural y espiritual, to be held online on Saturday, November 20 and Sunday, November 21, 2021.