Years ago someone told me I was a daughter of Oyá*. Even though I knew that a prediction like that can only be made by a babalawo, the high priest of Santeria, I saw a certain link: my attraction for cemeteries.

The Cementerio Cristóbal Colón, being the most valuable and beautiful cemetery of Cuba and located in Havana, the city I was born, is my favorite. It was the place that saw me walking around many afternoons in Havana, enjoying the shade of its big trees, the calmness like an oasis in a big city. I learned the stories and legends behind its tombs, I learned about tragic love stories, famous people, fires and even a death cause by dominoes, our “national sport”.

Colón Cemetery brings me good memories and I hope to show you its quiet beauty with these photos.

*Oyá is a warrior Orisha and she is the keeper of the entrance of the cemeteries and the guardian of the gate of death. She is also the Orisha of the wind, the owner of the lightning and one of the trilogy of the female Orishas who are the keepers of the cemetery. Oyá is violent and fierce and loves war and acompanies Chango in his campaigns, She fights with an army of spirits and wields the lighning and also two swords. She wears a nine color skirt.

Lens: 168 mm | Aperture: f 5.6 | Shutter: 1/90 sec | ISO: 100

Categories: Categories: [Arts]  [Colon Cemetery]  [Cuba]  [Havana]