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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- 



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. 



