File:The Cuba review (1907-1931.) (20777179676).jpg

Title: The Cuba review
Identifier: cubarevie12muns (find matches)
Year: 1907-1931. (1900s)
Authors: Munson Steamship Line
Subjects:
Publisher: New York : Munson Steamship Line
Contributing Library: New York Botanical Garden, LuEsther T. Mertz Library
Digitizing Sponsor: The LuEsther T Mertz Library, the New York Botanical Garden

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12 THE CUBA REVIEW ALL AROUND CUBA INTERESTING NEWS NOTES REGARDING VARIOUS MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE ISLAND CUBA STOPS VOODOOISM The Cuban government is adopting dras- tic measures in its efforts to stamp out voodooism, that has prevailed throughout the island for scores of years. Recent at- trocities in Santa Clara Province, where a four-year-old child was butchered for voodoo rites, has so incensed society that President Menocal has taken executive action. Several leaders are in prison await- ing trial, and three soldiers of the rurales are under indictment charged with acces- sory to nmrder. It is believed an extensive organization prevails among the negroes for the prac- tice of voodooism, and they have relations with strong political factions who in re- turn for legal protection, control their votes. Many heinous crimes of a similar nature to those in Santa Clara have gone unpunished, and so insistent has been public clamor aroused by the leading newspapers, the administration acted. Voodooism can be traced back to 1517, when negro slaves were brought to Cuba. 1 liese slaves stealthily organized their tri- bal societies and evidences of the savage rites of the Caraballs, Araras, Congoes, Mandangas and Muscuas can yet be found. Gradually tribal lines were obliterated and blended into one main society, but later by gift or purchase, chiefs allowed sub-socie- ties to be organized, first under their juris- diction. About 1840 voodooism developed into a caste. The city wall of Havana was the dividing line. Those within were pure blooded Africans, those without Creoles. The Creoles established themselves in Jesus Maria and Guanabacao, across the harbor to the Northeast, and organized a voodoo kingdom. For many years few outbreaks occurred of sufficient importance for gov- ernment intervention, although rites, feuds and assassinations continued. The ceremonies of the voodooists are weird and ludicrous. They dress in bar-
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Nanigo proc-,: ion in Havana's streets. These public ceremonial appearances have been forbidden by the government. See article on "Cuba Stops Voodooism" on this page.

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