Blood, Feathers and Trance 
Santeria in Cuba (2025) 

These rare photographs include a Santeria sacrificial ceremony rarely witnessed by outsiders. Only through persistence, connections and trust of the practitioners was access gained.

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Santeria is an Afro-Cuban religion that is a fusion of Spiritism, Catholicism and W. African Yoruba. Related to Haitian Voodoo, its popularity is growing exponentially due to Cuba's economic collapse and attendant suffering. Hope is in short supply on the island, yet Santeria offers that to the downtrodden, with many unable to find food, medicine or cooking fuel. 
 

Three practitioners were interviewed and photographed: A priestess in Guanabacoa and two priests in Santiago. All are well-known and respected both in Cuba and beyond its shores. The encounters took place in February, 2025. 

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-R Bickel