 |
MayraCuban witch
Country:
 Cuba |
Content:
- Cuban witch Myra
- A unique profession
- Rituals and consultations
- The transformation
- Completing the ceremony
- Offering help
- The Santeria religion
Cuban witch Myra
Myra, a Cuban witch who practices the African-Cuban religion of Santeria, doesn't initially come across as a knowledgeable spiritualist. She appears to be an ordinary housewife going about her daily tasks like thousands of other Cuban women. However, beneath this facade lies an experienced healer who is sought after by many people with various problems.
A unique profession
After the last Congress of the Cuban Communist Party, a list was compiled naming all types of legalized commercial activities. Surprisingly, Myra's 'profession' did not fit into any of the 181 categories, making it impossible for her to legalize her activities. She refers to herself as a 'santero', a witch, a healer, an exorcist, a fortune teller, and a spiritualist.
Rituals and consultations
Myra usually conducts her rituals in a room in her house known as the 'palate', where strange chants and cries are often heard. Her main clients are middle-aged men and women. Sometimes, she simply provides advice on family matters, allowing her clients to go home with peace of mind. However, more often than not, Myra enters a trance to make contact with the deceased, spirits, and receive visions of the past and future.
The transformation
When transforming from a housewife to a witch, Myra envelops herself in cigar smoke, consumes alcohol, and her eyes begin to glow. Various ceremonies take place, reminiscent of voodoo rituals. For example, during a session called 'rompimiento' (breaking), 18-year-old Cuban model Dayana attended. When Dayana encountered difficulties, her mother brought her to Myra to rid her of evil spirits. Myra expelled Dayana's demons using nuts, alcohol, and cigar smoke. As the 'palate' filled with smoke, it seemed that Myra entered a trance. She and Dayana went to the backyard, where Myra ceremoniously removed the girl's clothes while uttering strange phrases in an African language. Interestingly, for this ritual, Myra instructs the person plagued by demons to come wearing tattered clothing.
Completing the ceremony
To complete the ritual, the Cuban healer usually goes to the seashore after a few days. There, she continues to speak phrases in an African language and pours a liquid from a bottle into the sea. According to Myra, everything went well in Dayana's case. After the ritual, the model felt great and went on a national tour.
Offering help
Typically, the witch charges around $10 (240 pesos) for a ceremony and $4 (100 pesos) for a simple consultation. However, she is sometimes willing to help those in need for free if they cannot afford to pay. Myra agrees that some people only recognize Santeria because it brings good money. However, her motivation is not to get rich but to assist people who genuinely believe in this African-Cuban religion.
The Santeria religion
Santeria, meaning 'holiness,' is widely practiced today. Essentially, this syncretic religion is a harmonious blend of Catholicism with African cults. It incorporates elements of Yoruba beliefs and various other syncretic religions. It's difficult to determine the exact number of Santeria followers, as many officially identify as Catholics or prefer not to disclose their religious affiliation.
