Disclaimer: Cubans are not a monolith so when we say ‘Cuban Folk Magic’ its like saying ‘American Folk Magic’ in the sense that it is a BROAD term that includes multiple different cultural threads and traditions. Start by researching your ancestors and where they were from as a jumping off point. Also, many of these resources are not Cuban themselves, but they either share the same practices or are academic or general sources. I have made it clear when a source isn’t Cuban. For this reason, I have expanded it to be the Cuban AND Caribbean Folk Magic List.
The List
General:
Irka Mateo - Taino - Insta (DR)
Religion.Ancestral.Taino - Insta (PR)
OkaniLuna - Brujería/Taino - Youtube(DR)
Juliet Diaz - Brujería/Taino/Author - Instagram (Cuba)
Sancista 7 Espadas - Espiritismo - Insta (PR)
Odofemi - Regla de Ocha - Tumblr (USA)
Eve the Medium - ATR/Espiritismo - Youtube (DR)
Yeyeo Botanica - ATR/Espiritismo- youtube (USA)
Botanica Candles & More - Great Podcast!! - youtube (Cuba)
Connecting w/ Guides and Goals by Adunola - youtube (USA)
San Lazaro - Wikipedia - Novena - Yeyeo Botanica
Caridad del Cobre - Wikipedia
Orisha and Palo Herbs Directory- Website
Ewe (Herbs) Photo Guide - Website
Pueblo Originario Taino Section - Website
Books:
Taino Library* - Amazing resource for books of all kinds, many books about Taino, Cuban and Caribbean Spiritualities, Folklores and Songs! Multiple books on Cuban Myths and Folktales! Highly recommend - Website (PR)
Espiritismo by Hector Silva(DR)
A Year in White by C Lynn Carr
The Modern Art of Brujería by Lou Florez(VERY BASIC just as a general introduction to what alot of modern Folk Practices look like)
American Brujeria by J. Allen Cross (MX/USA)
El Monte by Lydia Carbera (Cuba)
Movies:
Cecilia (1982) - Youtube
Las Profecias de Amanda - Youtube
This list will grow as I find more resources that are reliable enough to share. If you have recommendations or would like to be added, please reach out.
Luz y Progreso 🕯️
Guide to researching based on your ancestry:
If your family has African roots, you can seek Ocha/Lukumi, Palo, Arara, Cuban Vodou and other African Traditional Religions and Practices. Please approach elders within these respective practices to further your connection to them, rather than using books to create a practice for yourself. These are ancient, community based and are lifelong commitments, not just trendy powerful spells for you to get what you want.
If your family has indigenous roots, research Taino spirituality and modern practices , but also know that there were other tribes in the western and central parts of Cuba, with their own languages and traditions you can still learn about like the Guanahatabey. You may also consider joining a Yukayeke, but this isn’t required. Reconnecting and decolonizing is a separate and important topic that is not inherently witchcraft or folk magick-y… HOWEVER, researching and informing yourself with these practices can help you to see their influence within modern folk practices.
If your family has Asian roots, research the buddhist cults and folk practices throughout Cuba! Believe it or not, we also have people of Middle Eastern descent in Cuba who brought with them their own Hindu and Arabic Folk Traditions, which can be found throughout Cuba and the Caribbean as a whole.
If your family has Spanish roots, research some open practices like Espiritismo and Folk Catholicism! Look into the Patron Saints of Cuba, La Virgen de La Caridad del Cobre and San Lazaro. These also tie in to many of the other cultures who were forced to adopt certain elements to ensure survival of their traditions! You can also look into Brujería. Much like modern witchcraft, modern brujería has been commodified to hell and back, but there is still some great knowledge and power to be found there.
The fact of the matter is, that most of us can fit ourselves into two or more of these categories, and this crossover is where Folk Magic is often born. Its also important to note, in alot of these traditions you shouldn’t learn or share certain things at certain times, so some sources who share too much about Ocha and other ATRs should be avoided. Also, I can’t stress how important it is to talk to your family! Ask them about folklore or legends and stories! Also research history and folkore of the specific areas in Cuba your family is from. A-lot of folk magic is incorporated into stories.
Bendiciones, good luck on your Journey!🦎🐊
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