• Submitted by: manso
• Society
• 01 / 04 / 2011

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JENNY BARCHFIELD. Associated Press. HAVANA (AP) - Cuba's Santeria priests say 2011 will be a year of change and "reorganization," characterized by growing economic openness and threats of war and coup d'etats.

Their annual New Year's forecast, released Monday by a panel of Afro-Cuban priests, coincides this year with the communist island's most significant economic reforms of a generation.

"We are sure that there will be changes" in 2011, said the group's head, Lázaro Cuesta. "We're certain that good moments are coming."

The forecast also included warnings of war, "coups d'etat and sudden political changes," and the deaths of famous political personalities, as well "commercial openings and an increase in exports and imports."

Similar predictions were made by the group last year. None came to pass in Cuba in 2010.The priests announced their latest forecast - Known here as the "Letra del Año," or the "Letter of the Year" - Following a secretive New Year's Eve ritual that includes religious chants and animal sacrifices. Some 1,000 priests participated in the closed-doors ceremony, Cuesta said.

This year's predictions come as Cuba launches a host of reforms aimed at scaling back the state's control of the economy and generating new revenue for the government. The reforms, announced late last year, include the firing of half a million state workers and an opening to some limited forms of private enterprise.

Dozens of santeros - Followers of the syncretic religion that mixes Roman Catholicism with the traditional African Yoruba faith ?- Turned out for Monday's predictions.

"It looks to me like the signs are good for this year," said Reineiro Espinosa,a 53-year-old bus driver who has practiced Santeria for more than a decade.

"Last year was very bad, so we're really hoping that better things are in store for this year," he said, as he scribbled down the forecast onto the back of a cardboard box.

In addition to predictions of changes to come, the forecast included admonitions to care for the elderly and give young people more opportunities. They also warned followers to watch out for strokes and tuberculosis, adding that red mangrove can be used to help treat respiratory problems.

Source: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CubaNews/message/120026