By Dalia Acosta
HAVANA, Jan 11 1998 (IPS)

Cubans are facing a “rough year ahead” if the predictions of the babalawos, religious leaders of an afrocuban cult known as ‘Santeria,’ come true.

“Economic difficulties will prevail,” said a communique from the Yoruba Cultural Association of Cuba, at the same time warning of possible natural disasters in the next 12 months.

The warning in the economic sphere agrees with the official forecasts, which for this year see a sugar harvest even lower than last year’s 4.2 million tons.

Several ‘Santeria’ (saint worshipping) groups make their predictions, known as ‘the script for the year’ between December 31 and January 1 each year, but only a few are made public.

This ‘script’ is devised through a divining system known as ifa, used by the Yoruba people of Nigeria for more than 2000 years and brought to America by the West African slaves.

In the Americas, the practice first established itself in Brazil and Cuba, spreading from there to Venezuela, Mexico, Panama, Colombia and the United States.

Thousands of Cubans follow the ‘script’ with interest. In 1990, at the beginning of the economic crisis still underway, it predicted a difficult stage and the need to face up to the limitations.

For the coming year, the ‘script’ warned of a tendency for increasing amounts of illegal activity, linked to the economic difficulties, and advised people not to get involved in social situations with legal implications.

It also warned of the need to care for health, to monitor the spread of pests and epidemics, and pay attention to psychic maladjustments, circulatory, digestive and sexually transmitted diseases, like AIDS.

The babalawos recommended pregnant women follow medical advice, and that men pay special attention to women in general, advising everyone to steer clear of their vices, especially drugs.

“Work is the most valuable asset and it must therefore be defended,” said the document released by the Yoruba Cultural Association.

Practicioners of the Rule of Eight or Santeria reportthe prediction describe the ceremony, saying it is carrie out over a rush mat surrounded by candles, plates of blood,plastic dolls, wooden toy boats, statuettes of Catholic sants and amulets.

The most important babalawo, by definition a man, asks the orishas (gods) if their appetites have been satisfied and then throws pieces of coconut and shells onto the floor to begin the soothsaying.

There are no official figures, nor specialist estimates to show how many people of Cuba’s 11 million inhabitants profess the Santeria religion.

And even though folklore researchers and students have tried to discover details of the religion in recent years, this cult is still largely a mystery to the uninitiated.

The main knowledge is passed from man to man or woman to man, either orally or in books where the ceremonial processes have been noted down for years.

“The ‘script’ only provides predictions and recommendations, and each person follows their own path,” said one female saint worshiper who, like so many others, joined the afrocuban cult when she had serious health problems.

For the Yoruba Cultural Association, this year will be ruled by the orishas Ochun (Virgin of the Charity of Cobre in the Catholic calendar of saints’ days) and Obatala (the Virgin of the Mercies). It also recommends paying special attention to Babalu-Aye (Saint Lazarus).

Kon as “Ochun, little virgin of Charity” by most Cuban believers, the orisha godess of Santeria and the Catholic Church’s patron saint of Cuba is perhaps one of the best examples of religious syncretism in this country.

The Ochun named as reigning in the ‘script’ this year will also be afforded great honour this month, for the Virgin of the Charity of Cobre will be crowned by Pope John Paul II during his visit to Cuba, from January 21 to 25.”

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