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Afro-Cuban History and Religion

A practitioner of Regla de Ochá plays a drum during a tambor, or drumming ceremony, in Havana, Cuba. Photo by Brian Canelles.

Afro-Cuban History and Religion

Afro-Cuban jazz musician and Santería priest Roberto Fonseca. Photo by Geoffrey Baer.

Practitioners of Regla de Ochá, commonly known as Santería, have maintained their traditions in spite of centuries of enslavement, oppression, and the criminalization of their religion. Today, their songs and symbolism form are at the core of Cuban identity and culture.

In this clip, filmed at an old sugar plantation outside of Havana, world-renowned jazz musician Roberto Fonseca introduces Geoffrey Baer to his musical and spiritual roots.