Description
Divine Utterances
Explore the vibrant world of Afro-Cuban Santería with Divine Utterances: The Performance of Afro-Cuban Santería by Katherine J. Hagedorn. This in-depth study considers how the music and dance linked with the orichas—Afro-Cuban deities such as Changó, Yemayá and Oshún—serve as both sacred rituals and symbols of national identity. At the heart of this volume is Hagedorn’s examination of how sacred ceremonies, traditionally confined to religious gatherings, have found their way onto theatrical stages through state-sponsored groups like the Conjunto Folklórico Nacional de Cuba. She shows that the potent rhythms of batá drums and layered vocals can induce trance even in a modern theatre setting, reflecting the transformative potency they retain from religious contexts.
Drawing upon her personal experience in Cuba as a woman, scholar and apprentice batá drummer, Hagedorn analyses the complexities of race, politics and religion that converge within Santería performances. She shows how revolutionary ideals shaped the nation’s attitude towards African-derived spiritual practices, transforming them from marginalised traditions into pillars of cultural pride. At the same time, she highlights that tensions remain between participants who revere these rhythms as spiritual offerings and those who approach them as folklore for tourism.
Readers will discover that Santería’s musical expressions are deeply rooted in Yoruba-influenced beliefs, integrating call-and-response chanting and polyrhythmic drumming to honour and invoke the orichas. The process demands respect for the lineage bearers and an awareness of the communal dedication behind each performance. Whether in a temple courtyard or on a secular stage, the same force can activate trance states, bridging the sacred and the public sphere.
A key resource for students of ethnomusicology, religious studies and Cuban culture, this book also raises awareness of cultural appropriation. Those wishing to immerse themselves in these traditions should do so with humility, acknowledging Santería’s syncretic heritage and the living communities who uphold it.
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