Kevin Delgado
San Diego State University

“Socialist Folklore and Spiritual Capital: Interpreting Afro-Cuban Religion and Music in the Age of Capitalization”

Abstract: Kevin Delgado discusses his fieldwork in Cuba researching the music, rituals, and representations of the Cuban Santeria religion. Beginning with a review of Santeria music in general and the context of contemporary Cuba, Delgado reflects on how the larger challenges of interpreting an African-based religion through scholarly paradigms have become entangled in the increasing capitalization of culture in post-Soviet Cuba. While the capitalization of Cuban culture has been increasing since the 1990s, Delgado contends that the professionalization of Santeria performance through Cuba's folklore industry laid the groundwork for its subsequent capitalization. Material need and Cuba's centralized, dual-currency economy fuel the commodification of Santeria culture and privilege interaction with foreigners, causing growing numbers of liturgical experts to view the prestige of their religious knowledge as spiritual capital capable of being exchanged for foreign currency.

Bio: Kevin M. Delgado is Associate Professor of Music and Coordinator of World Music and Ethnomusicology at San Diego State University. Delgado received his M.A. (1997) and Ph.D. (2001) in Ethnomusicology from UCLA. He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses on a wide variety of topics covering the music of the world and the intersection between music, culture, politics, identity, history, and technology. Since 1996, Delgado has traveled to Cuba eleven times to conduct research on Afro-Cuban music, religion, and culture. He is currently working on a book manuscript on Afro-Cuban Iyesá music and history.
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Named after Nazir Ali Jairazbhoy, the founding chair of the Department of Ethnomusicology and Systematic Musicology, this colloquium series provides an opportunity for students, faculty, and visiting lecturers to share information about their research and discuss other issues important in the field. Please check the department website for details on lecturers.