In the heart of Cuban culture lies a spiritual tradition as vibrant and diverse as the island itself: Cuban Spiritism. Rooted in the teachings of Allan Kardec yet enriched by the island’s multifaceted heritage, this unique form of Spiritism offers a window into the soul of Cuba. It resonates particularly with the Yoruba people, for whom spirituality is an integral part of identity. This exploration into Cuban Spiritism unveils a world where the veil between the material and the spiritual is delicately thin, where the echoes of ancestors and spirits shape the rhythms of daily life.
Historical Context of Spiritism in Cuba
From France to the Caribbean: The Arrival of Spiritism
Spiritism, as conceptualized by Allan Kardec in the mid-19th century, found fertile ground in Cuba, a land already rich in spiritual traditions. The philosophy, centered on the belief in communication with the spirits of the deceased, quickly resonated with the Cuban populace. The blending of these ideas with African spiritual traditions, especially those of the Yoruba people, led to a unique Cuban flavor of Spiritism.
The Yoruba Influence and Syncretism
The Yoruba, brought to Cuba as part of the transatlantic slave trade, carried with them…
