The countdown has commenced. The global Yoruba religious community, particularly in Cuba, is eagerly anticipating the unveiling of the 2026 Letter of the Year, a pivotal event in the Afro-Cuban religious calendar.
Traditionally, this annual prophecy delineates the spiritual, moral, and social guidelines for the upcoming year.
In keeping with custom, the pre-opening ceremony was held earlier this month to pave the way forward.
The Prelude to the Prophecy: Pre-Opening Ceremony Insights
On December 1st at 10:00 a.m., the pre-opening ceremony for the 2026 Letter of the Year took place at the national headquarters of the Yoruba Cultural Association of Cuba, located at Prado No. 615, Old Havana.
Roberto Padrón Silva, the president of the institution, presided over the event along with members of the National Board of Directors and affiliated babalawos.
As reported by the Association, the Ifá oracle was consulted during the ceremony by Awo Alfredo Lima Oshe Nilogbe, a member of the Council of Elders of Ifá.
The initial prophecy linked to the new cycle was revealed:
Pre-Opening Prophecy:
Odun: Osa She.
Prophecy: Iré Buyoko Lowo Orunmila.
Addimú: yam with two candles.
Ebbo: a rooster, male and female dolls, body measurements, shoe dirt, yam, plowed earth, stake, used clothes, two cotos, two candles, oti, oñi, eku, eya, awaldo, and other ingredients.
The organization clarified that this is not the final Letter of the Year but rather an initial consultation, the starting point of a more extensive ritual process:
“This prophecy is not the Letter of the Year. It is the initial consultation, where the preliminary ceremonies begin to prepare the path, along with other works carried out throughout December, culminating on December 31 at midnight with the obtaining of the Letter of the Year for 2026,” stated the National Board of Directors.
Completing the Prescribed Ritual: Ebbo Implementation
On December 12, the Association reported the completion of the ebbo, the ritual work prescribed by the oracle during the pre-opening ceremony.
This stage, led by members of the Council of Senior Ifá Priests at the institution's national headquarters, is crucial within the Yoruba protocol as it allows for the materialization of the oracle's recommendations to direct the energies of the new year.
Looking Ahead to January 2: Public Event and Ceremony
The Yoruba Cultural Association of Cuba has announced a press conference on January 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., where the eagerly anticipated Letter of the Year will be officially released, although it is expected to circulate on social media beforehand.
The event will also feature an art exhibition titled “Echoes of Silence” by artist Carlos A. Pimentel Boiza (Pimbo) at 1:00 p.m., concluding with a drum ceremony to Odduwa at 2:00 p.m.
Reflecting on 2025: The Year of Shangó and Oshún
Reflecting on the current year, 2025, the Letter of the Year issued by the Association on January 1 was governed by the sign Ogunda Ogbe, and included a prophetic prayer for spiritual stability:
“Iré Arikú Oyale Tesi Timbalayé” — a form of firm and secure health in the earthly realm, with the blessing and support of all Oshas and Orishas.
Shangó was the ruling deity, accompanied by Oshún, defining a year characterized by energies of leadership, justice, passion, as well as sweetness and fertility.
Understanding the Social and Spiritual Significance of the Letter of the Year
For followers of the Rule of Ocha and Ifá, and many Cubans beyond the religious framework, the Letter of the Year has evolved into a document of not only spiritual but also cultural and social significance. In a country riddled with profound economic, social, and political crises, these directions serve as a symbolic compass, guiding people to approach the new year with hope, caution, or action as per the oracle's warnings.
This intricate weave of preliminary ceremonies, prophetic prayers, ebbo, and oracle consultations reflects a vibrant spirituality, resilient in the present and projecting into the future.
The arrival of the 2026 Letter of the Year takes place amid particularly challenging circumstances for the Cuban population.
The island is enduring one of its most severe economic crises in recent history, marked by a surge in illnesses, rampant inflation, collapse of basic services like electricity, water supply, and transportation, as well as a scarcity of food and medicine, and an unprecedented migration wave.
In this scenario, many find in the Yoruba religion not only spiritual refuge but also a symbolic language that aids in understanding and enduring daily hardships. The oracle's recommendations, ruling signs, and warnings contained in the Letter of the Year become, for thousands, a life guide during uncertain times.
Understanding the Yoruba Prophecies and Their Impact
What is the purpose of the Letter of the Year in Yoruba tradition?
The Letter of the Year serves as an annual prophetic guide that outlines the spiritual, moral, and social directions for the upcoming year, providing a framework for believers to navigate challenges and opportunities.
How does the pre-opening ceremony contribute to the Yoruba prophecy?
The pre-opening ceremony sets the stage for the Letter of the Year by consulting the Ifá oracle and performing initial rituals, establishing a foundation for the comprehensive spiritual process culminating at year's end.
Why is the Yoruba religion significant for many Cubans during times of crisis?
In the face of economic and social turmoil, many Cubans turn to the Yoruba religion for spiritual solace and a symbolic framework that helps them interpret and endure the challenges of daily life.