(author unknown)

A serene and quiet atmosphere enveloped the evening when the Diaspora Cultural Center presented the Living with the Orishas roundtable focused on Aganjú. The Master of Ceremonies for the event was DCC President Miguel Ramos. He introduced the three panelists:

Jose Travieso, Maggie Acosta, and Emy Martínez. Each had taken a different direction in their journey toward initiation, but the depth of their feelings about their relationship with Aganjú was identically profound.

Mr. Travieso’s journey included no one from his blood family, as he is the only one in his family who is ordained. Howver, he stressed that Aganjú was present in his life before he was ordained. First in a reading he was given from the person who would become his oyigbona, Aganjú came to protect him from a situation he was experiencing at the time. And then later during the divination of his tutelar orisha, again Aganjú made his presence felt. He has always felt a connecion with him. Mr. Travieso described his tutelar orisha as a very sentimental deity. He believes that when he feels something, his Aganjú feels the same way and vice versa.

Mrs. Acosta’s case was different, as she came from a religious household in which most of her family had undergone ordination. As such, she had a profound connection with the religion. When she was about to turn fifteen, her mother asked what type of party she wanted to celebrate her birthday. As in most Latin American countries, Cubans commemorate a maiden’s fifteenth year with a grandiose celebration, akin to what other cultures know as a debutante ball. Surprisingly, Mrs. Acosta made a decision that she forever cherishes: she told her parents that she preferred to be ordained. It was at the divining of her tutelar that she learned she was a child of Aganjú. She feels her connection him is similar to a duality. Parts of her would like to be explosive, like the volcano that Aganjú is associated with, but then there are moments when she wants to be calm and quiet. She feels that she can be alone in a group. (this last sentence needs something—it feels incomplete)

For Ms. Martínez Aganjú is her father, period! No biological father, just Aganjú. She was born a twin twice, at natural birth and at her ordination where she was ordained with her sister. She feels that Aganjú is their crutch or cane who protects them from being embarrassed. He is everything and like Atlas, he carries the world upon his shoulder. He provides stability, strength and health.

The panelists all agreed that they are selective and do not like to be bothered. They all enjoy the beauty of the world (arts, music, etc.) and Mr. Travieso and Mrs. Acosta both find a spiritual connection with the world. (explain this) A truly peaceful roundtable, like a latently sleeping volcano. Aganjú is at peace.

To see pictures from this roundtable, click here.