Cabildo (Cuba) facts for kids

Cabildos de nación were special groups created by people from Africa in Cuba a long time ago, starting in the late 1500s. They were a bit like clubs or helpful societies, similar to groups in Spain called cofradías. These Spanish groups were often linked to a Catholic saint and met in a saint's chapel.

One of the first known Cabildos de nación in Cuba was called Mandinga Zape, formed in 1568. In Havana, the Arará family bought land in 1691 to build their first cabildo. This land is still known as el solar de los Arará (the Arará's lot). At that time, there weren't as many African people in Cuba as there would be later, especially after the big sugar boom in the 1800s. Cabildos were formed by enslaved people from the same ethnic group. They became very popular in Cuban cities.

How Cabildos Helped People

The Spanish government actually supported cabildos. They saw them as a way for enslaved people to have fun and to help control social tensions. Enslaved people were allowed to gather on holidays. They could dance and celebrate according to their African customs.

For the enslaved people, cabildos were very important. They could collect money or share resources to help members who were sick or when someone died. Cabildos also had a religious purpose. They were places where enslaved people could connect with their gods and ancestors. For those who wanted to keep their African religious traditions alive, a cabildo was one of the few ways to find support. The cabildo helped keep African culture, religion, and identity alive in a new land. The songs, dances, and drum rhythms played for African deities helped enslaved people keep their African heritage strong. This was a way to resist Spanish cultural hegemony.

Challenges Faced by Cabildos

White Spanish and Cuban criollos (people of Spanish descent born in Cuba) saw cabildos as something necessary but also a problem. By the 1700s, these places of cultural freedom and support started to worry the white masters. Laws from 1792, like the Bando de Buen Gobierno y Policia, talked about needing to control the cabildos and their members.

Neighbors often complained about the loud noises from the enslaved people singing and playing African instruments. By the 1800s, cabildos were moved outside the city walls of Havana. This meant white people would not have to see or hear their African celebrations. For Afro-Cubans, this move actually gave them more privacy than they had before.

The Decline of Cabildos

By the early 1800s, many cabildos had almost disappeared after some failed rebellions by enslaved Africans. However, they saw a comeback in the mid-1800s. At this time, they were not just for enslaved people. Free Afro-Cubans from all walks of life were also welcomed.

In 1884, the Cuban government banned the Epiphany celebration. This was a holiday that cabildos had celebrated for over a century on January 6th. It included parades with groups called comparsas in the streets of Havana. In 1887, new laws required cabildos to get official permission and licenses. Since slavery had been abolished by then, the authorities looked for new ways to control the free Afro-Cuban population. In 1888, the government forced cabildos to organize as mutual-aid societies. They had to follow the same laws as white Cuban societies.

Names and Origins of Cabildos

Enslaved people were often identified by their white owners based on where they came from in Africa. This led to different names for distinct ethnic groups. These names were often changed versions of traditional tribal names made up by the slave owners. However, the enslaved people soon started using these names themselves.

See also

In Spanish: Cabildos de nación para niños

• Afro-Cuban
• Santería
• Palenques in Mexico