The Cuban musician Emilio Frías, an active member of the secret society Abakuá, provided a sincere and revealing explanation of why the members of this ancient male brotherhood have not risen up against the Castro regime.
In a conversation with the actress Claudia Valdés, Frías addressed a topic that has raised numerous questions among the Cuban diaspora and within the Island: why do the abakuás, known for their strong code of brotherhood and honor, not openly rebel against the regime?
"The Abakuás are not superheroes," he affirmed.
The leader of the group El Niño y La Verdad dismantled the notion that this religious society—whose roots trace back to the African traditions brought to Cuba by slaves from Calabar—has any political or revolutionary obligation in the current context.
"It is not a matter of the abakuás, the babalawos, or the Christians; it is a matter for everyone. Because when the abakuás come out, how many will there be, 100? We’ll put all 100 of them in jail. And what will happen is that there will be 100 abakuás in prison, and everyone outside will be saying: 'Did you see what the abakuás did?' But nothing actually happened," he detailed.
Religion, not politics
Frías insisted that the abakuás are not defined by a political role, but by a way of life based on loyalty, respect, discipline, and the protection of their own.
"Our religion is not connected to politics. It pertains to the fundamental concepts of humanity, and a man must protect his family. That is the fundamental basis of a man, beyond—unfortunately—his homeland or country," he asserted.
In this regard, the artist emphasized that every individual, whether abakuá or not, must become aware of the country's reality according to their own moral reasoning. "These feelings of patriotism and independence arise in individuals, whether they are abakuás or not," he expressed.
Frías also lamented the trials and demands placed upon the members of this brotherhood.
"Many people are hurtful about that. They say: 'Look, there are Abakuás and no one is doing anything,'" he said. "But they are Abakuás, they're not Batman. If an Abakuá goes out to protest, they will do the same thing to him that they did to everyone else, whether he is Abakuá or not."
The strength of codes
For Frías, being abakuá is not a condition that grants privileges or supernatural powers.
"Abakuá does not give you a shield or powers. Abakuá is a way of life that you must adopt with respect and uphold its codes," he explained.
He added that if those codes motivate an individual to act against an injustice, that is admirable, but not a collective obligation.
"If those codes lead you to reason that you cannot allow what is happening in your country, you are a wonderful person who is also abakuá," he concluded.
Claiming the ñáñigos
This is not the first time that Emilio Frías has publicly spoken out to break the stigmas surrounding the abakuás, also known as ñáñigos.
In January of this year, he published a reflection on his social media where he debunked several prejudices that mistakenly associate this brotherhood with violence or marginality.
Being Abakuá does not mean being problematic or confrontational, nor does it mean carrying a weapon, or showing superiority over other men," he wrote. "Being Abakuá means being an upright man in society, a good father, a good son, a good person, and even a good adversary."
The musician recalled that since he was young, he has been connected to this ancestral tradition, attending religious gatherings in neighborhoods with a strong ñáñiga tradition such as Los Pocitos, Pogolotti, Regla, and Guanabacoa, among others.
Born in this culture that is viewed negatively by many and loved and respected by others, I traveled almost all over Cuba," he noted.
In his words, the true essence of an abakuá lies in his ethical behavior: "Being abakuá is not a title that can be hung on a wall... abakuá means men who are free and of good character, an example of manhood in society."
Between loyalty and survival
Emilio Frías' statements open an honest window to the tensions experienced by members of this secret society in relation to social expectations, both within and outside Cuba.
In a context where public and religious figures are increasingly expected to take political stances, Frías advocates for a deeper understanding of the existential dilemma faced by many Cubans: How to balance duty to the homeland without jeopardizing the family?
With a direct speech, the singer lays bare an uncomfortable reality: in a dictatorship, individual courage may be admirable, but is rarely enough.
His call, ultimately, is not for silence, but for understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Abakuás and Their Stance on the Cuban Regime
Why don't the Abakuás rebel against the Cuban regime?
The abakuás do not rebel against the Cuban regime because they are not defined by a political role, but by a way of life based on loyalty, respect, and the protection of their own. Emilio Frías explains that their religion has nothing to do with politics, but with the basic concepts of a man who must protect his family. The abakuá society seeks to maintain dignity without viewing themselves as responsible for political change.
What is the true essence of being Abakuá according to Emilio Frías?
The true essence of being abakuá, according to Emilio Frías, lies in ethical behavior and integrity in society. Being abakuá means being a man of integrity, a good father, a good son, and an example of masculinity, not a conflictive or armed individual. Frías emphasizes that being abakuá is a way of life that is embraced with respect for its codes and values.
What does Emilio Frías think about the social expectations towards the abakuás?
Emilio Frías believes that societal expectations of the abakuás are unjust and based on stigmas. He points out that many people expect the abakuás to act like superheroes, but emphasizes that they are simply men trying to protect their families and maintain their dignity. Frías advocates that every individual, whether abakuá or not, should make decisions based on their personal moral reasoning.
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