This lecture will delve into the vibrant Afro-Cuban culture, exploring its roots in Yoruba traditions from West Africa, specifically Nigeria. Transplanted to Cuba during the 19th-century slave trade, Yoruba culture has been remarkably preserved through religious and cultural practices.
The lecture will focus on three key pillars that contribute to the richness and diversity of Afro-Cuban culture:
- Storytelling through Song: We will explore the historical narrative of the Yoruba beliefs in the Orishas through traditional songs and chants.
- Music as a Representative Pillar: Participants will experience the central role of music in Afro-Cuban culture, engaging with various rhythms for different divinities (spirits or deities) in the Yoruba religion (LIVE MUSIC).
- Dance as Expression We will delve into the art of Afro-Cuban dance, where movements and pantomimes convey historical narratives and cultural expressions.
These three pillars are interconnected and inseparable.
Participants will enhance their musical ear and memory through rhythmic exercises and song learning, while having the opportunity to observe and experience Afro-Cuban dance movements, connecting with cultural expressions through their bodies.
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