This is an ancient land and there are people living here whose ancestors had inhabited and fought the invaders who had come from Spain.
Cuba was colonized first and the Spaniards arrived in Florida (named by Ponce de Leon , on Feast of Flowers , Easter possibly 1521). The Natives of this land who maintained connections with their relatives in Cuba knew of the Invaders and were prepared for their arrival. The tradition of resistance to the outsiders still continue, now against the Colonial Government of the United States with whom they never signed a treaty, unlike most other natives of this land they call the Turtle Island.
Cuba later instituted slavery and one of the last places to abolish slavery, and the slaves brought their religion which they syncretized to the invader's catholic faith. Chango, the supreme spirit is identified with Santa Barbara but in the minds of the believers, Chango is identified with Palm, Thunder ..
Whenever I see the above palm, especially at the time of sunset, I think of the spirit of Chango
Characteristics
- Consecrated day: Friday
- Colors: white and red
- Elements: thunder, lightning, fire
- Sacred food: amalá (a stew of okra with shrimp and palm oil)
- Instruments: oxê, a double ax; bangles; brass crown; Thunder Stones, or objects struck by lightning
- Garment: red cloth with printed white squares or cowrie shells
- Necklace or Elekes: white and red beads
- Archetype: power, dominance
- Sacred dance: alujá, the roda de Xangô. It speaks of his achievements, deeds, consorts, power, and dominion
- Sacrificial animals: fresh water turtle, male goat, duck, sheep
