Long day's journey to Rincón: From suffering to resistance in the procession of San Lázaro/Babalú Ayé¹

I am grateful to the reviewers of BJE submissions for their insightful comments about the structure of this article, which were very useful in revising it. I am also grateful to Joseph Brennan, whose expertise with Finale software helped to create a polished version of my musical transcriptions.

Abstract

This article explores the ardent worship of San Lázaro/Babalú Ayé in Cuba (Cuba's most popular saint) through the procession undertaken on his behalf on 16 and 17 December. Thousands of Cubans participate in this procession each year, impeded by uncomfortable means ofambulation which are “promesas” for future or past miracles. Since the 1990s, the procession has also become a forum for overt political protest, manifested mainly through chants, slogans and songs. From the chants of Santería to the songs of nueva trova. these utterances enact the transformation of suffering into resistance, making this procession a significant barometer of social change.

Notes

I am grateful to the reviewers of BJE submissions for their insightful comments about the structure of this article, which were very useful in revising it. I am also grateful to Joseph Brennan, whose expertise with Finale software helped to create a polished version of my musical transcriptions.