INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL ENCOUNTER IN CUBA HISTORY, CULTURE AND SOCIETY IN THE AFRICAN DIASPORA

In Cuba today believers of various religious traditions including Santeria, Palo Monte, Spiritism and Vodou incorporate expressions of these belief systems into everyday life, art and music.

This multi disciplinary international encounter will provide the opportunity for scholarly exchange concerning the African Diaspora. It will gather local and international scholars as well as community representatives. Workshop and seminar topics will explore such areas as: History, Folklore, Medicine, Language, Biological Variation, Archaeology, Religion and National Culture, Music, Dance and the Visual arts. Community representatives will share their knowledge and host visits guiding conference participants in an exploration of their diverse cultural heritages.

Speakers, panelists, and organized sessions are welcomed for all topics. Papers should be 15 minutes in length. Organized sessions are limited to 2 hours (including 1/2 hour for discussion). Please submit abstracts for papers and organized sessions by March 15, 2000

Havana became the capital of Cuba in 1589 (Santiago de Cuba was the first capital from 1514). We will travel to the town Regla, where the church associated with Yemella is located before visiting with a community of Yoruba heritage to share in the presentation of music and ritual. We will spend time in the old city, which has been declared a "World Heritage Site" by the United Nations. We will visit important sites in the old city including the Castillo del Morro, the Fortaleza de la Cabana, the Museo de la Ciudad, and the Museo de la Revolucion.

Mantanzas, an important port city and an area rich in African tradition. We will travel to Jovellanos an 18th century palenque (refuge for self liberated slaves). Here we will visit with an extended family of Arara heritage who follow Regla de Ocha. In nearby villages participants will continue the exploration of the AfroCuban religion created in the island by peoples associated with the Lucumi tradition of the African Atlantic slave trade. In transit we will visit a modest ceramics studio and meet with the artist. We are invited to a private performance by members of the Munequitos de Matanzas and/or Afrocuba Folkloric Ensembles. If participants express sufficient interest will attend requests visits with regional artists at their studios. On our way to the famous Varadero beach, (time permitting) we will stop at Neptune's Cave; it has an underground lagoon, stalactites and stalagmites, evidence of Indian occupation, and was used as a secret hospital during the war of independence. An area scholar will discuss slave rebellions.

Santiago de Cuba. There will be a reception and optional conversation group with researchers from Casa del Caribe followed by a performance by Cutumba Folkloric Ensemble. Travel to the village of Cobre to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Caridad and a temple house which will have elements of the three major African-derived or influenced traditions in Cuba: Palo Monte, Lucumi Santeria, and Spiritismo.

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