Mexican Practitioner Finds Connection in Lucumí for Nearly Three Decades
Francisco Álvarez León, a dedicated practitioner of Lucumí for nearly three decades, finds solace and connection in this Afro-Cuban religion. He practices alongside two other priests, known as babalawos, in Colima, Mexico. Lucumí, also known as La Regla de Ocha, is a spiritual path that focuses on well-being and balance, drawing from African traditional beliefs.
Francisco's journey began in the late '90s when he was invited to a Lucumí meeting near his former home in Las Vegas. Here, he learned about the religion's connection to African countries and its focus on health and balance. A ceremony by a lake led to an unexpected blessing - Francisco received $50,000 to open two cellphone stores in Vegas.
Today, Francisco practices Lucumí with two other priests at a riverbank in Colima. He offers honey and flowers to Ochún, the Lucumí orisha of fresh water, luxury, and love. Animal sacrifices in Lucumí are performed with care and respect, with the meat often shared among the community. Lucumí emerged from the resilience of enslaved Africans in Cuba, who adapted and protected their spiritual practices, evolving into the religion we know today.
Francisco Álvarez León's dedication to Lucumí over nearly three decades is a testament to the religion's power to connect individuals to their community, higher consciousness, and ancestors. Practiced alongside two other priests in Colima, Mexico, Lucumí continues to thrive, offering a path to well-being and balance rooted in African traditional beliefs.
