LIGHT INSIDE
Book Description
Within the vibrant streets of urban Cuba lies a profound spiritual tradition that has quietly shaped cultural identity for nearly two centuries. "Light Inside" unveils the sacred world of the Abakua Society, a network of men's fraternal lodges born from the resilience and creativity of enslaved Africans and their descendants beginning in 1836.
Author Brown DH takes readers on an intimate journey through this Afro-Cuban secret society, revealing how spiritual practice manifests through breathtaking visual arts. Through careful examination of ornate altars, mystical chalk symbols, and ceremonial masked performances, this work demonstrates how sacred creativity becomes a vessel for deep spiritual expression.
The book explores how Abakua artists channel their inner light through elaborate altar designs that serve as focal points for community worship and personal transformation. These sacred spaces reflect an ongoing dance between honoring ancient traditions and embracing creative renewal, showing how spiritual communities adapt while preserving their essential wisdom.
Drawing from extensive fieldwork and scholarly research, Brown presents both the passionate perspective of someone deeply connected to this tradition and the analytical insight of an academic observer. Readers interested in understanding how marginalized communities create powerful spiritual practices will discover a rich tapestry of faith, artistry, and cultural survival.
This exploration of Cuban spiritual life offers valuable insights into how sacred arts can illuminate the profound creativity that emerges from human resilience and devotion.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~8 hours)
📄 Length: 286 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Altars
- ✓ Explore Material culture
- ✓ Explore Black people
- ✓ Explore Ceremonial objects
- ✓ Explore Cuba, social life and customs
- ✓ Explore Religious life
- ✓ Explore Sociedad Abakuá (Cuba)
- ✓ Explore Art, primitive
