Church in Cuba.
We do not know how to celebrate Christmas in Cuba. Some people do go to the church that day but the rest of the population spend Christmas evening with the expectation of something to celebrate but they do not have an idea of what or how to celebrate it.
Our Christian commemorations lost their appeal long ago when the communist party members where advised not to display any interest in religion and in our schools we were never told anything about the existence of the Bible. It seemed pretty clear in our textbooks that people with religious beliefs were ignorant. Any celebration we were allowed to have was only to commemorate the Revolution and its heroes. However, the older people would always remember Easter (Pascuas y Semana Santa)
It feels sad for me now that I live in Australia to know all the celebrations we were forbidden to have in Cuba. The church in present times may not be so important for some, especially after so many sexual abuse scandals, but in some other countries it was one of the first choices people were denied.
Nowadays, years after the 1998 Pope John Paul II visit to Cuba we have a more open space for religion, more people are involved in the church and there is a proliferation of different religions groups with diversity of beliefs.
There has always been an important presence in Cuba of an African imported religion practice called Santeria. It is a very common sight in The Havana streets to find mulatto girls walking by, all dressed up in white and showing distinctive Yoruba necklaces, a vision that adds certain charm to the city.
It has taken me years living abroad to embrace the Christmas spirit, years to learn the traditional recipes, colours, and symbols that represent such a beautiful festive season. I am grateful because I got such an opportunity.
Religion in Cuba
