Santería was traditionally an unacknowledged and…
““Santería was traditionally an unacknowledged and underappreciated aspect of what it meant to be Cuban. Yet the syncretism between the Yoruban religion that the slaves brought to the island and the Catholicism of their masters is, in my opinion, the underpinning of Cuban culture. Every artistic realm--music, theater, literature, etc.--owes a huge debt to santería and the slaves who practiced it and passed it on, largely secretively, for generations.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Cuban Cultural Identity, 2018
Highlights Santería’s hidden influence on Cuban culture and arts.
In simple terms: Santería shaped Cuban music, theater, and literature.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and honor syncretic roots in cultural analysis.
Themes
culture
religion
syncretism
Mood
reflective
appreciative
Type
cultural
historical
When to use this quote
- artistic creation
- historical research
- cultural festivals
Key Concepts
Santería
Cuban identity
Questions to Reflect On
- In what ways does Santería appear in modern Cuban art?
- How can we preserve its secretive traditions?
A Different Perspective
Risk of oversimplifying complex histories.