A Cuban devotee of the Ifá religion recently gained widespread attention on Instagram by showcasing an age-old folk remedy known as "extracting the sun" from one's head. This traditional method, passed down through generations, is believed to alleviate headaches caused by excessive sun exposure.
Harold Gainza, who goes by @gainza__ogbe_roso on social media, shared a video demonstrating the practice on another individual while detailing its familial origins: "This is something my mother taught me back in Cuba. I'm extracting the sun from someone's head."
The video's description captures the essence of its message succinctly: "Learning from the elders soothes the soul."
The technique involves placing an upside-down glass filled with water atop the sufferer's head, supported by a towel. The bubbles that form are popularly interpreted as the release of heat accumulated from the sun.
The video amassed over 170,000 views, sparking nostalgic memories among Cubans familiar with this practice.
"When I was a child and returned from the beach, my mother would do this to extract the sun from my head. A million blessings," commented one user. Another added, "They still do it to me occasionally, and it's the best thing ever. Forget about medication; it completely relieves your headache."
Many viewers requested a detailed explanation of the method, while others confessed they continue to practice it today, having learned it from their mothers or grandmothers decades ago.
The practice is rooted in traditional Cuban medicine and has historically intertwined with 19th-century spiritualism and Afro-Cuban cultural traditions.
Nonetheless, medical experts have pointed out that there is no scientific basis supporting this method for treating sunstroke. Recommended treatments for heatstroke typically include applying cool, damp towels and staying hydrated.
This type of content is part of a growing trend among Cubans sharing on social media the customs and knowledge inherited from their elders, ranging from Santería and Ifá rituals to home remedies, resonating deeply both on the island and within the diaspora.
The chronic shortage of medications in Cuba, a direct result of 67 years under communist rule, keeps these traditional remedies alive in the Cuban collective memory.
Exploring Traditional Cuban Remedies
What is the "sun extraction" technique?
The "sun extraction" method involves placing an inverted glass of water on the head of someone suffering from sun exposure, using the bubbles that form as a sign of releasing heat.
Is there scientific support for the "sun extraction" method?
No, medical experts have indicated that this method lacks scientific validation as a treatment for sunstroke, though it remains popular in Cuban tradition.
Why do traditional remedies persist in Cuba?
Traditional remedies endure in Cuba partly due to the chronic shortage of medications, a result of the country's long-standing communist regime.