La Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre

September 8th is a very important day for all Cubans, regardless of them being religious or not. Catholics and Afro-Cuban practitioners alike celebrate our Lady of Charity, “Nuestra Señora Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre.” For some she is the blessed Virgin Mary, for others “Oshun,” the African goddess of femininity, fertility, beauty, and love. Syncretized in the same figure of Virgen del Cobre and Oshun, is the patron saint of the island of Cuba and all Cubans. Today, with Jibaro Photos, we join this celebration with a selection of images from Sven Creutzman.

Caridad de Cobre procession prior to her 400th anniversary in 2012

Cubans worship national Saint Caridad de Cobre, Centro Habana, 2010

Cubans help securing a procession for Cuba’s patron saint Virgen de la Caridad de Cobre (Our Lady of Charity) , 2015

Cubans watch from a balcony as they worship the Virgen de la Caridad de Cobre, Cuba’s national saint, during a procession in Centro Habana, 2010

Cubans worship the Virgen de la Caridad de Cobre, Cuba’s national saint, during a procession in Centro Habana, 2010

The Virgin of the Charity (Virgen de la Caridad), the catholic patroness of Cuba, arrives at the cathedral of Havana, prior to it 400 anniversary, 2011

A Cuban woman carries a doll symbolizing Our Lady of Charity saint and at the same time Oshun, Afro-Cuban goddess, during a procession for Cuba’s patron saint Virgen de la Caridad de Cobre, 2015

Santeria initiation of a Cuban woman who has adopted Oshun, 2007

Santeria Wedding for Oshun, 2013

All images in this gallery © Sven Creutzmann | Jibaro Photos

The virgin is accompanied by three men on a boat — a European, an African, and a Native who represent the ethnic components of Cuban nationality (the three juanes: juan el blanco, juan el negro, and juan el indio fishermen that according to the legend, saw the virgin pointing their safe return to port when they were lost in sea). It is hard for foreigners to understand the powerful significance of this symbol to the Cuban people. Perhaps it is better to say that when Fidel Castro triumphantly entered Havana on January 8th 1959, and was giving his speech at the former military camp Columbia (today School Ciudad Libertad), a white dove landed on Fidel’s shoulder. The photo was taken by José Agráz and was later known as “Mensajero de Oshun” (Messenger of Oshun) — a divine symbol pointing him to lead the country. It may also be worth remembering that when the world famous American writer Ernest Hemingway was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, he remarked as having been adopted by Cuba and that the prize medal was a prize to the Virgin (La Cachita) in the sanctuary del Cobre.

Cubans light candles during a procession for Cuba’s patron saint Virgen de la Caridad de Cobre, 2015

The Virgin of the Charity (Virgen de la Caridad), the catholic patroness of Cuba, arrives at the cathedral of Havana, 2011

A Cuban believer wears a T-shirt with the image of Ernesto Che Guevara as Cubans gather to welcome the virgin of Charity , 2011

Cobre church, near Santiago de Cuba, home to the national saint, 2008

Fidel Castro cast his vote for the national assembly in El Cobre, 1998

Memorabilia donated to the Caridad de Cobre by rebel's family members, 2008

Cuban Quincañera prays to the Caridad de Cobre, 2007

Memorabilia donated to the Caridad de Cobre by rebel's family members, 2007

Ballet shoes, memorabilia donated to the Caridad de Cobre, 2017

All images in this gallery © Sven Creutzmann | Jibaro Photos

In Sven’s photos, one sees the sanctuary, some of the religious celebrations from both the Afro-Cuban Yorubá and the catholic processions, the relics given by important personalities as an oblation to the Cachita, and even Fidel Castro voting in El Cobre during the parliamentary elections in 1998.