Today is my 4th day in Havana and I am meeting Alex here at the hotel at 2 pm. We are going to Casa de Africa to see a performance of Afro Cuban religious dance. The House of Africa is housed in a colonial palace in Old Havana. We will see Santeria dancers performing. This will be my intro to Santeria, the Afro-Cuban religion.
We are a small intimate group of about one hundred watching. I seem to be the only non Cuban there.
It opened with a man giving a talk. About what I have no idea. With my limited Spanish and his rapid Cuban, I didn't understand one word.
There were artifacts all around the room and a huge map of Africa on the wall.
The drumming, dancing, and singing was performed by four women. Each wore a different colour which corresponded to the Orisha (saint) she represented. There are many Orishas, but only four represented.
A man representing Chango came on danced to the drumming and singing. Chango is the owner of fire, lightening, thunder, and war. He is also the patrol of music, drumming, and dancing. He represents male beauty and virility, passion, and power. His colours are red and white.
As it continued the pace picked up and many of those seated watching became increasingly engaged. A few went to the front and danced.
By the end most everyone was standing and fully engaged with the program.
I will try to upload photos and some short video clips now. I can't seem to upload the video clips. I will try to find out how and upload at a later date because they really show the energy in the room and show what is was truly like. It was very very intense.
For now, here are some photos.
We are a small intimate group of about one hundred watching. I seem to be the only non Cuban there.
It opened with a man giving a talk. About what I have no idea. With my limited Spanish and his rapid Cuban, I didn't understand one word.
There were artifacts all around the room and a huge map of Africa on the wall.
The drumming, dancing, and singing was performed by four women. Each wore a different colour which corresponded to the Orisha (saint) she represented. There are many Orishas, but only four represented.
A man representing Chango came on danced to the drumming and singing. Chango is the owner of fire, lightening, thunder, and war. He is also the patrol of music, drumming, and dancing. He represents male beauty and virility, passion, and power. His colours are red and white.
As it continued the pace picked up and many of those seated watching became increasingly engaged. A few went to the front and danced.
By the end most everyone was standing and fully engaged with the program.
I will try to upload photos and some short video clips now. I can't seem to upload the video clips. I will try to find out how and upload at a later date because they really show the energy in the room and show what is was truly like. It was very very intense.
For now, here are some photos.
So Sorry! Photos just don't do it.
After Alexis and I went to Plaza Vieja to have a bite to eat.
Plaza Vieja from Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plaza_Vieja,_Havana
It was cooler, the food was good, and the quiet gave me a chance to 'come down' from what I had been part of at Casa de Africa.
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