Milton Martinez

EWE for the New Diaspora Milton Martinez

The slaves that came to Cuba and which were labeled "Congo" came from a vast area encompassing Guinea to Central Africa (Chad), down to Angola and including parts of Mozambique. All were tied by the same language basis, Kikongo; and similar belief systems. Once they came to Cuba, they had to associate with the Lucumí (Yoruba descent slaves) and they borrowed heavily from the Lucumí as to the religious outlook. By way of this interaction, the practitioners of the Reglas Congas adopted as their own the Orishas of the Lucumí, the saints of the Catholic Church and gave them names in Kikongo and Spanish. Although we talk of Regla Ocha in the singular, Reglas Congas is in the plural. This is because they encompass several branches; i.e.- La Regla Palo Monte, La Regla Kimbisa, La Biyumba, La Musunde or Musundí and the Brillumba or Vrillumba.