Areito

Areito is a traditional Afro-Cuban ceremony combining music, dance, and community gathering, originating from African roots brought to Cuba by enslaved peoples. It served as a spiritual and social ritual to honor deities, ancestral spirits, and cultural heritage. Participants would sing, play drums, and perform dances to connect with spiritual worlds, celebrate cultural identity, and reinforce community bonds. Areitos played an important role in preserving African traditions within Cuban culture, especially during times of colonial oppression, and remain a vibrant expression of Afro-Cuban identity today.