Abakua

The origin of Abakuá, the only male-only secret society in the Americas, dates back from what is now the southeastern coast of Nigeria to the Kingdom of Calabar, which dominated western Cameroon.

A secret society of the Efik, a branch of the Ibibio who founded the Kingdom of Calabar

The origin can be found in "Ekpe".

For more information http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ekpe

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Biography

The origin of Abakua in Cuba began in 1832 when a Cabildo named Appapá Efik, a black Karabari living in Havana, began to secretly practice their faith.

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Like the Yoruba Santeria, Abakua also celebrates its birth, mixed with Christianity and other beliefs.

The people called Karabari were from different tribes who spoke different languages, such as suama, oluga, and bibí, but they were able to communicate with each other. The group of people was collectively called Karabari or Bríkamos.

However, the most popular name is Appapá mentioned above.  It was Efik).

Many of the members of Abakua were servants and slaves of capitalists in the Belén district, the group of which was originally called "Acuabutón" but later known as "Los Belenistas". Will be.

In addition, Abakua opened its doors to ethnic groups of different origins from Africa, aiming for brotherhood and mutual aid, so the number of believers increased in a blink of an eye, and in 1840 more than 40 groups were formed. It was supposed to exist.

The most prestigious group of Abakua in Cuba is the Cabildo of Carabali Bricamo in the town of Yumurina in Matanzas, with Niño de Jesús on December 24, 1862. What started on the day.

It is known as "Biabanga".

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On December 24, 1863, Andres Petit, the founder of Palo Kimbisa, told Guanabacoa the white and mulatto abacua organization Bakokó.  Efor) ”was founded to allow non-black races to enter Abacua.

Later this was called the "Abakua Revolution".

Originally, Petty set up this new organization in resistance to racial segregation, which was widespread and implicit throughout the colony, but the old blacks of Abakua, like themselves, He refused to recognize the white man who swore to Abakua as a "brother" and created great resistance.

After many conflicts and struggles, the black and white members acted in different factions, and finally a reconciliation was reached between the two in 1872.

Abakua, who sought compatriots and mutual aid, had some sincere members who were hindered by society and joined in search of close relationships with people, but on the other hand, they used this organization as a cover to escape the investigation and criminal groups. It is also a fact that it was a hotbed of.

Under such circumstances, Abakua gradually became synonymous with evil among the people, and on August 27, 1876, the edict completely banned the rally.

Later, when slaves were released at the end of the 19th century, nationalist prejudices gradually disappeared within the Cuban organization, and Abakua, which had been the basis of the "black" until then, was released in December 2005. It has been officially approved by the Ministry of Justice and is now the basis for "Cubans".

*  Cabildo

A meeting place or organization for slaves to gather, and there are several cabildos in the country organized by tribe of their origin.

The slaves were allowed to dance, sing and practice their beliefs in Cabildo, and as a result played an important role in inheriting African culture and traditions.

For more information http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabildo_(Cuba)

*  Abakua is also known as "Nyanigo", which means "a brave man who is fearless."

It is said that the word "Abakua" is derived from the carabal's proper noun "Aconcuá".

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7 rules

1: Keep a secret

2: Dedicate your life to Ekue / Ekwé if necessary. In other words, protect Ekwe at the risk of your own life.

3: Honor the priest and honor the other "Plaza".

4: Be a good father, a good son, and respect your mother.

5: Be a good brother to Ekobio (brother). And protect and help each other whenever necessary.

6: Honor Ecobio's wife.

7: Be brave. Don't be feminine and don't look good. Don't be beaten by anyone. At least from women.

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In addition, there are detailed provisions such as matters related to payment of membership fees, matters related to revenge when Ecobio is insulted, and matters related to mutual aid and assistance in the event of illness or death.

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Anyone who could follow the above rules, whether a thief or a murderer, could join, so many members believed in other religions such as Paro Monte and Santeria.

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Class (post)

The organization of Abakua is also divided into several classes.

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(N) Disime

Those who wish to join the organization (ndisi = arrebato, me = ser)  paciente / In other words, to endure the severe pain associated with the enrollment ritual)

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Obonekue (Obonekue / Obonekwé)

Those who have joined

Plaza

In the final rank of the class, it is responsible for the preservation and execution of principles and norms, and is divided into several positions.

Typical ones are as follows

・ Iyamba

He plays the most important role in the Abakua organization and is responsible for Eque. It also accounts for the organization.

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・ I (Iku) Sue (Isue / Iksue)

It controls the progress of the ritual and manages the start of the ritual.

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・ Mokongo

The role of carrying out the will of Eque

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・ (E) Empegó / Mpegó

Those who have vowed to join

・ Ekueñón

assistant

・ Morúa (Morúa / Morúa Yansa)

The leader of the chorus corps. Erikundi guides Ereme with a wooden cross that looks like a maraca and a sacred drum called Encricamo.

・ Iksumekue / Isunekue

Lee (Ku) Sue's assistant, sharing roles with Equinon.

Other important job titles

Nkríkamo / Engríkamo

Ereme's guide

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Moní Bonkó                                  

Music leader

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Mosongo                                       

Mokongo's assistant

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Ereme

Ireme (Íreme / Ñaña), the so-called Diablito, is the most representative character in Abakua.

Worship of the dead and respect for their ancestors are the hallmarks of Abakua's beliefs, and Ireme participates in and oversees the ritual as an incarnation of the spirits of his ancestors and as a spirit of light. Since Ireme cannot speak or see, it is said that only men can communicate through dancing.

There are many types of ireme, each with different properties.

Aberisún

Aberiñan

Eribangandó

Enkanina

Enboko Bemba

Efiméremo moko Ireme

Akunamina

Anamanwí and others are peculiar to the funeral called Nlloros.

In addition, Ireme is an incarnation of a supernatural being and does not belong to Prasa.

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drum

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Taiko is the most used instrument in Abakua rituals, and is divided into two types: those with symbolic nature and those that are actually struck and played.

First of all, the drum used at the beginning of the ritual does not hit the skin to make a sound, but rubs the surface to make a unique sound to call someone.

The most important secret drum among the drums is called Eque.

(Eque is an Efik word meaning leopard)

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The sound imitates the sacred voice of Tanze, the incarnation of the Supreme God Abashi.

This drum is placed in a secret room called Fambá, which is covered with curtains in front of it, and you can never see it.

This part of the ritual is called Fambayín.

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Symbolic drum

(D) Npego is the same drum as Eque, but it appears in public.

(D) It is handled by a person named Npego, who has the same name as the drum.

(D) Nkurikamo is a drum smaller than (E) Npego, and a Prasa person named (E) Nkurikamo calls in and controls the spirits of dancers (so-called Ireme, Nyanya), that is, Diaburito (small devil). Used.

Seseribó is a wooden cup, the inside of which is covered with silver foil and the outside of which is covered with leather.

It is entrusted to Seseribo to solidify the brotherhood among the members of Abakua.

Another is the wand, which is a symbol of control held by leaders.

Musical drum

Abakua's music is played on four or more drums called Biankomeko.

A song is sung along with the performance of the drum, accompanied by a dance by Ireme.

There are two different performances, one of which is played faster than the other, like the Efik and Efik.

From largest to largest

Bonkó Enchemiyá

Obí Apá

Cuchí Yeremá

Bencomo

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In addition to drums, the instruments of the Abakua orchestra called Biancomeco consist of a wooden stick called Itonoes, a cowbell called Ekón, and a Shekeré called Erikundis.

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Ekeniyo

In the Abakua ritual, ideographic characters consisting of letters and lines called Ekenyo are drawn.

Ekenyo is painted in yellow or white plaster and is divided into three categories.

1: Gando

Gands are drawn on the ground to represent complex ritual situations.

Various religious objects are placed on it and placed by the priest.

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2: A figure called Anaforuanas

  Represents each class that makes up Abakua. It is drawn on a certain thing used in the ritual.

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3: India Represents and certifies each of the 123 Abakua organizations throughout Cuba.

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Ritual

The ritual begins late at night and consists of five acts.

Priests, sorcerers, musicians, and various irises such as Elibangando, Encoborough, and Abaneque will participate, and the ritual will be conducted in a mixed language of various words derived from Carabar.

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First of all, the goat is sacrificed and the ritual begins, which represents the scene where Shikana was sacrificed as a human sacrifice.

The goat is treated like a human, and the goat's blood is prepared and all participants drink it.

Supper is served in Act 4, and goat meat is also eaten at this time.

Then the ritual comes to an end.

words

Currently, many words derived from Karabari have entered the Cuban Spanish language as loanwords and are used on a daily basis.

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Asere = Amigo, socio, "compañero"

Tángana = riña, agresión, altercado. (Fight)

ñampear = matar. (Kill)

Ferembeke = rasgo gallardo, gesto valeroso.

Ecobio = camarada. (Comrade)

Sángana = Paciencia. (Patience)

Chévere = bonito, bien, bueno, gracioso, elegante

Autonomasia = (Original meaning of autonomy)