A young Spanish woman has gone viral on TikTok after sharing some of the most curious customs she experienced in her childhood growing up in a family with Cuban roots. The video, titled "Curious things my Cuban family does", has generated thousands of reactions, especially from Cubans who felt identified with her experiences.
The protagonist is @ainaraquesada__, born in Spain, daughter of a Spanish mother and a Cuban father. According to her, she lived for years with her paternal grandmother and her father, which shaped her childhood with rituals and traditions that she didn't fully understand at the time.
Among the most striking memories, he mentions that his father, before leaving the house, would bend down, touch the ground, and a bell. “Every holy day,” he says. He also recounts that whistling was not allowed in the house because it “called demons,” they would draw crosses with ash as a symbol of protection, and every December 31st, his grandmother would give him a bath with petals and perfume before throwing a bucket of water out the window… backwards.
It is also recalled that at home they had an altar with religious figures where they would leave food for Elegguá, and that sometimes their grandmother would take her to the river to talk to the water. Many users linked this last practice with Oshún, the orisha of freshwater in the Yoruba religion.
Although the young woman claims to share it out of curiosity and affection, the video sparked an avalanche of comments. Some explained that it pertained to Yoruba religious practices or Santería, which are deeply rooted in Afro-Cuban culture.
"My mother also greets Elegguá in the mornings," "In my house, whistling was also not allowed because it could chase the saint away," or "That's Yoruba religion, it's not strange, it's tradition."
Others clarified, "It's not because they are Cuban; it's because they are Yoruba religious practitioners." Some appeared surprised, while others appreciated that he spoke so openly about something so personal.
@ainaraquesada__ herself responded clearly: "I know perfectly well what my family did. I just wanted to share it because it's not common outside of Cuba or Latin America, and I thought it would be interesting to share."
Although not all Cuban families practice this religion, many people—both on the island and abroad—grew up surrounded by rituals, altars, symbolic prohibitions, and a deep respect for the orishas. It is a spiritual legacy that, as one of the most popular comments on the video stated: “My grandmother did it too… and we continue to do it.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuban Religious and Cultural Practices Abroad
What are some of the Cuban cultural practices mentioned by the young Spanish woman?
The young woman mentioned several cultural and religious practices she experienced in her Cuban family, such as bending down and touching the ground before leaving the house, not whistling because "it calls the demons," drawing crosses with eggshells for protection, and taking a bath with petals every December 31st before throwing a bucket of water out the window.
What religion is associated with these Cuban cultural practices?
These practices are related to Yoruba religion or Santería, an Afro-Cuban religion that combines elements of the Yoruba religion from West Africa with Catholicism. It is one of the most deeply rooted religious expressions in Cuban culture, both on the island and in the diaspora.
Why do some people not understand these religious practices outside of Cuba?
Outside of Cuba or Latin America, these practices are not common, which can lead to misunderstandings or surprise among those who are not familiar with Santería. The lack of knowledge about the Yoruba religion and its rituals can create confusion or rejection toward these spiritual traditions.
How has the Cuban community on social media reacted to the video of the young Spanish woman?
The Cuban community has reacted in various ways, from recognition and identification with the mentioned customs to clarifying that these practices are part of the Yoruba religion and not merely Cuban traditions. Many users have shared their own experiences in comments, enriching the discussion about Afro-Cuban culture and spirituality.
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