A Cuban practitioner of the Yoruba religion recently shared on her social media the reason why she moved her orishas from the main room of her house to a more intimate and private space, away from the view of the public that follows her videos.
"I moved my orishas from the living room. I know many have noticed and have been asking me where my little saints are, where is my Oshún that was here on this wall," explained the user Maite_Oshun in a video posted on TikTok.
According to her, she made the decision after receiving numerous offensive comments from people who disapprove of her religious beliefs, especially from Christian users who have insulted and cursed at her on social media for showcasing her altar in the content she shares to promote household products.
"I promote products through videos that I make from here, from home. Whether it’s a carpet or a curtain, whatever it is. And those items would appear a lot in the videos. People have been, especially Christians, cursing me excessively. I wish they would come into the house, that they would come to the altar; what a terrible thing, what an awful thing," she reported.
The young woman stated that, out of respect and protection for her saints, she decided to relocate them to a more private area of the house, where they would not be exposed to criticism or public ridicule.
“Just as they take care of me, I have the duty and obligation to take care of them. I moved them to a different place; they are here in the house, of course, but in a little corner where they are much more at ease. They are no longer exposed to anyone's view,” he stated.
Additionally, he assured that before making the change, he consulted with the orishas and that everything was approved.
"They are much calmer now. So, I just wanted to let you know," concluded the Cuban woman.
Frequently asked questions about Yoruba religion and its practice in Cuba
Why did Maite_Oshun decide to move her orishas to a more private space?
Maite_Oshun moved her orishas to a more private space due to the offensive comments she received on social media, especially from Christian users who disapproved of the exposure of her altar in the videos she posted. She felt it was her duty to protect her saints from public scorn, so she relocated them to a more intimate place within her home.
What practices does a Yoruba religious figure like Maite_Oshun avoid out of respect for her faith?
Maite_Oshun, as a Yoruba religious practitioner, avoids certain practices out of respect for her beliefs. She does not allow just anyone to touch her head or hair, as she considers this a point of spiritual connection. Additionally, she never leaves the kitchen dirty overnight to prevent negative energies and protects herself from getting wet in rainwater to avoid unwanted external energies.
What is the process for assembling a throne for Oshún according to Maite_Oshun?
Maite_Oshun showcased on social media how she sets up her throne for Oshún at home, using yellow fabrics and lace, a color representative of this deity. The throne is a sacred space in Santería, adorned with specific elements such as fans, mirrors, and offerings, reflecting the dedication and respect towards the orishas.
What challenges did Maite_Oshun face during her migratory journey with her religious figure?
During her migratory journey from Cuba to the United States, Maite_Oshun carried with her a Yoruba religious figure known as her “gypsy”, to which she lit candles during the trip. However, upon arriving at the U.S. border, immigration authorities confiscated the image, which was an emotionally challenging experience for her.
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