Hidden Powers of State in the Cuban Imagination University Press of Florida Florida A&M University, Tallahassee Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton Florida Gulf Coast University, Ft. Myers Florida International University, Miami Florida State University, Tallahassee New College of Florida, Sarasota University of Central Florida, Orlando University of Florida, Gainesville University of North Florida, Jacksonville University of South Florida, Tampa University of West Florida, Pensacola This page intentionally left blank Hidden Powers of State in the Cuban Imagination Kenneth Routon University Press of Florida Gainesville · Tallahassee · Tampa · Boca Raton Pensacola · Orlando · Miami · Jacksonville · Ft. Myers · Sarasota Copyright 2010 by Kenneth Routon All rights reserved All figures in this book are reproduced courtesy of the author, unless otherwise noted. Printed in the United States of America. This book is printed on Glatfelter Natures Book, a paper certified under the standards of the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC). It is a recycled stock that contains 30 percent post-consumer waste and is acid-free. First cloth printing, 2010 First paperback printing, 2011 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Routon, Kenneth. Hidden powers of state in the Cuban imagination / Kenneth Routon. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-8130-3483-6 (alk. paper) ISBN 978-0-8130-4196-4 (pbk.) 1. Cuba—Politics and government—1959–1990. 2. Cuba—Politics and government—1990–93. Political culture—Cuba. 4. Socialism—Cuba. 5. Exceptionalism—Cuba. I. Title. F1788.R595 2010 972.9106'4—dc22 2010001921 The University Press of Florida is the scholarly publishing agency for the State University System of Florida, comprising Florida A&M University, Florida Atlantic University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, Florida State University, New College of Florida, University of Central Florida, University of Florida, University of North Florida, University of South Florida, and University of West Florida. University Press of Florida 15 Northwest 15th Street Gainesville, FL 32611-2079 http://www.upf.com To Lisbeth and Beny This page intentionally left blank Contents List of Figures ix Acknowledgments xi 1. The Magic of the Revolution 1 2. The Eye and the Tongue 19 3. The Opacity of Power 39 4. Conjuring the Past 63 5. Tying the Yuma to the Stick 87 6. The Cult of the Profane 111 7. The Prophetics of Revolution 143 Epilogue 169 Notes 175 Bibliography 185 Index 197 This page intentionally left blank Figures 1.1. The Union of Communist Youth’s mural depicting José Martí holding an effigy of Elegguá 11 2.1a. and 2.1b. Two examples of charm-images, posted on the outside of houses, that protect against evil eye and “bad tongue” 21 4.1. The nganga “Induatuá,” the spirit-doll “Manuel,” and the nganga “Tierra Tiembla” 64 4.2. Alberto Lescay’s “Monument to the Runaway Slave” 68 5.1a. and 5.1b. A magical plan to “tie the yuma [foreigner] to the stick” 109 7.1. Animal sacrifices to Olokun along the Malecón 145 7.2. Commercial poster advertising Santero aguardiente 147 7.3. Commercial poster advertising “spiritual perfumes” 147 7.4. A billboard featuring revolutionary slogans side by side with another promoting tourism 147 7.5. Tourist billboard featuring a smiling, elderly santera and a younger devotee of Ochún “sharing their joy” 148 7.6. The Yoruba Cultural Association of Cuba’s restored mansion 159 7.7. A Santería altar (trono) in one of Guanabacoa’s dollar stores 163
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