#9 entry-museum of Guanabacoa and more of Havana

This day we are off to the Museum of Guanabacoa.

 This is where there is a display of religous levels of different cultures.  I was not allowed to take pictures so it is very difficult to comprehend what is actually happening. I will give the short version.

 In 1600 the slaves came to Cuba and with the mix of Africans, Cubans, and Spanish the religion they adopted first was Catholic.  From there began La Regla de Oche o Santeria religion. In this creed the Orishas (deities) and the ancestors are worshiped. Their main function is to protect their devotees and guide their lives.    Every home has  an object called gavato (i think the name is correct) that stays behind the door. It symbolizes the opening of roads or the body.  The main person that is picked is called the "Edabu" who predicts the future and after 7 days will dress in white.   There are nine Gods in this religion and when you are born, one is picked for you. There is a person that is above the nine Gods and he is called Babalawo. He predicts the future and has always been a man.

   

The other rooms we visited had other cults or religions. Some had bones and herbs and  covered their faces to represent their ancestors going back to 1839. This is only a tip of the iceberg and by no means starts to tell the story.

 We are outside the Museum which is on the right.

 Here we and the natives are standing waiting to go into the bank to exchange some CUC for CUP.

The rest of these pictures will tell you the story of the conditions of Cuba. So take a minute to study them.

We are off to  a co-op.
Ciao:-)