La Afro-Cuban culture and the Yoruba religion have a centuries-old history in Cuba, full of mysticism and legends.
Initiated by the slaves brought from Africa who, before the prohibition of worshiping their gods, syncretized them with the Catholic saints and formed a belief very typical of this Caribbean Island.
Thus, Cuban national identity is seized from the broad narrative of the constitution of the Rule Ocha in Cuba, which began with Lorenzo Samá “Obbadimeyi” and Timotea Albear “Ajayi Lewú Latuán”, who at the beginning of the XNUMXth century in the town of Regla unified the different Yoruba cults in a single Liturgical Body.
Thus, the Pioneering branches of the Regla Ocha, “La Efushé” and “La Pimienta”, which later included several sub-branches:
- The Tortilleras (Worshipers of Inle and Agbata),
- The Ewin Yimi,
- Los Culos Verdes also known as Aigoró (founded by Doña Caridad Omo Oshosi),
- the rags,
- The Shawls and Pamelas,
- The Mounds and Corals,
- The Agbita,
- The Ainá Yogbos,
- The Efushé Atikeké,
- The Efushé Warikondo,
- Aigoró and
- The Lawyers (they paid a fee for not wearing the shawl).
Foliage Efushé, reforming Religion
Among the main exponents of the Rule Osha in Cuba there is Ña Rosalía Gramosa “Efuché Warikondó”, founder of the Egbado branch and known as the “Reformer of Religion”.
We must explain that Ña, synonymous with lady, was a treatment of distinction and affection granted in Cuba to the native elderly of Africa.
It is said that she was the one who introduced the “Adoshú Osha” ceremony, which is the delivery of various deities in the initiation ceremony and led to the practice of throwing the Dilogún twice to obtain the “compound odun”.
Ña Rosalía, as we see, is recognized for promoting important structural adaptations between the Aará and the Lucumí.
The pepper, inheritance of our roots
Between the beginnings of the Rule Ocha The Branch of La Pimienta also stands out.
Aurora Lamar, Oba Tola, was the founder of this branch and one of the most recognized santeras of her time, possessor of one of the greatest religious descendants that still today, leave their mark in all spheres of the practice of the Yoruba religion in Cuba.
Together with a Babalao named José Ramón Gutiérrez, back in the 50s, they created a payment plan for their consecrations.
In the creation of this branch of the Rule Ocha Merit is also awarded to José Urquiola, who was the godfather of the santera.
Both branches, La Efushé and La Pimienta, were the beginning of the religious practices that represent us to this day, part of the history that identifies our African traditions and customs.
