One day after its rivals from the official Yoruba Cultural Association of Cuba, the independent commission Miguel Febles Padrón published this Monday its Letter of the Year 2023, in which it predicts “the loss of freedom due to the increase in social indiscipline,” the arrival of favorable commercial agreements and pacts between military powers.
On the positive side, they announce growth in the food sector, technological advances that will solve problems and the development of biotechnology, although they anticipate “fears and uncertainty due to future changes” and natural catastrophes at sea.
“The war generates instability in some, while others obtain benefits,” adds the text in its section dedicated to events of social interest.
Among the recommendations, the santeros ask that disrespect in the home be avoided, that mothers improve the “behavioral training of children” and that the storage of spoiled food be avoided. On a more general level, they urge “establishing agreements in all sectors of the economy” and improving the restoration of homes.
It is the second consecutive year that the separate priests of the Yoruba Cultural Association, more akin to the ruling party, have published their own lyrics. The fact has raised criticism among some faithful who are upset with the religious division, although the adherence of those who believe that this or the other is the “true” letter is also visible.
For the Miguel Febles Padrón commission, the ruling divinity this year is Yemayá, and as a companion to Orishaoko, who in Santeria syncretizes with San Isidro Labrador, patron saint of farmers. Meanwhile, for the Yoruba Cultural Association, Obatalá governs and his companion is Oshún.
Rancell Montero, vice president of the association, who released his Letter of the Year one day before – on Sunday – stressed the need for a “change of mentality” in the country’s authorities and in “the base” of society before the “new times” of the economy.
In addition, he insisted that the change is necessary for the “development of new socioeconomic perspectives” of the country. “We are not yet prepared nor are all the necessary conditions for this change. And that goes from the country’s own leadership to the base,” he added during the press conference in which the essential ideas of the document were developed, this Monday.
“We are going to find new elements and this requires thinking about the new times with a different type of vision and it is necessary to prepare the entire economic infrastructure of the country that is adapted to the need for development that we have in current conditions,” continued Montero.
Despite the differences, the two Letters agreed on their omen of natural disasters, although the Yoruba Cultural Association extended the possible causes to hurricanes and warned of great “economic and human losses.”
The priests have also anticipated an increase in violent criminal activity and robbery and recommended taking precautions on property.
In addition, they warned of the worrying trend towards population aging and the massive exodus registered in the last year, which also entails a drop in the birth rate. Likewise, they predicted an increase in alcohol consumption in the population and asked for more information on the damage associated with it.
Traditionally, the Yoruba Cultural Association’s Letter of the Year has been considered more favorable to the Cuban regime, although this year many voices say that the letter of the independents has been even more sympathetic to the Government.
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