She knelt down onto the plywood floor before a set of candles. A quietness fell upon the room as another woman backed away, gathering next to a drum. As a short beat entered the room, the women at the shrine gives a short sigh and a moment to ring a small bell, before saying thanks to the women and stepping back into the day. For roughly 80 percent of Cubans that call themselves Santeros, this is a daily activity. Santeros are followers of the Santería religion. In the 19th century, a mixture of African beliefs and Catholicism blended into the religion of Santeria. However, religion has been threatened by the economic benefits of the 21st century. “We are losing our culture to commercialization,” said Leysvel, as he leans over in his stool, bordered by a Cuban and Haitian flag, slapping the back of one hand to the palm of another in his dance studio in Trinidad, Cuba. “People are losing respect for the religion, they are not true believers.” Mercedes echos this contentment “it is too commercialized. Also, the economy is too bad. It is difficult for us to buy the necessary animals for sacrifices.” Santería was established in Cuba during the 17th century. As a result of the extreme circumstances for thousands of slaves, the need to survive and find hope was extremely important. Thus, Santería filled those needs. While being forced to convert to Catholicism from their Spanish capturers, many slaves kept their own religions alive. They would disguise their deities with saints of the liturgical calendar. Thus, the religion of Santería was born. Additionally, as the slaves gained more freedom in 1886 the Kings and Queens of the Cabildos gained more legal representation. This allowed them to perform their own celebrations which preserved their culture as well as gain the ability to buy their own freedom from slavery. Similarly, this gave them the means to help their “needy brothers” throughout their communities. Finally, the religion was allowed to worship in the open or partially in the open. Trinidad, Cuba had over 10,000 slaves working in its sugar plantation, making a hub for sugar export as well as African cultures. This influence can still be seen within the city. With five different Calibos or temples, within Trinidad, it has become the main religion. One of the oldest Cabildos is the Cabildo dedicated to San Antonio (Orgun) or also known as Congo Reales. Started in 1857, this Cabildo was the first one in Cuba to unite all Africans without distinction of ethnic groups. As the saint of the forests, love, chulos (ladies men), and warriors, San Antonio, brings these types of followers that came to this Cabildo. Each saint has its own holiday, specifically for San Antonio this day falls on June 13th of each year. During the two days before, the Calibo is in full preparation mode. This includes cooking the necessary food to feed the Saint as well as the followers, decorating the Cabildo to represent the forests and taking care of the image. When June 13th arrives, a procession is lead around the blocks of Trinidad before ending back at the Cabildo. Then a party for the children starts with candy and treats given while dancing ensues. Finally around 9 o’clock that night, the adult party begins which lasts throughout the night. During this party, there is dancing that falls into a trance-like state for the dancers. Through this experience, the dancer has the ability to become closer to San Antonio. However, unlike some other traditions, “They don’t use drugs because drugs are illegal in Cuba,” said Zeydi, a software developer and writer about Santería. “They don’t see aliens or that, they are able to use this to get closer to the saints.” Finally, in the morning, the food that is for the saint is gathered and secretly disposed of in the forest behind Tres Cruces village. Santeria is still prevalent throughout Cuba although it struggles for authenticity with the commercialization of the religion. Just like many other religions, the need for money to continue its ways is in direct conflict with keeping the religion and the beliefs alive.