How did the Letter of the Year originate in Cuba and why does it remain a living tradition?

The Letter of the Year, one of the oldest and most respected religious traditions in Cuba, has its roots in the Yoruba culture that arrived on the island with African slaves in the 19th century.

His first promoter was Remigio Herrera, known as Obara Meyi or Adeshina, a babalawo born in Africa who organized the first ceremonies alongside his godchildren, laying the foundations for a practice that still marks the beginning of the year for thousands of believers today.

The Letter of the Year is the main ritual of the Rule of Osha Ifá and consists of a prediction for the social and personal future through the oracle of Ifá. More than just a simple forecast, it is considered a spiritual guide for achieving balance, prosperity, and harmony.

After Adeshina's death in 1905, the responsibility passed to prominent figures such as Tata Gaytán, Bernardo Rojas, and later, Dr. José Herrera, who kept the tradition alive even during times of religious repression.

Currently, the ceremony is held both in Cuba and in various Yoruba communities around the world, establishing the Island as one of the main guardians of this African spiritual legacy.