Cabildo (Cuba)
Cabildos de nación were African ethnic associations created in Cuba in the late 16th century based on the Spanish cofradías (guilds or fraternities) that were organized in Seville for the first time around the 14th century. The Sevillian cofradías had the tutelage of a Catholic saint and were held in the saint’s chapel.
The first cabildo in Cuba, called Cabildo Shango was created in Havana in 1568. The first cabildo on Compostela street in Havana was built in a lot purchased in 1691 by the Arará family. The same lot is still known as el solar de los Arará (the Arará’s lot). At the time the African population in Cuba was not as significant as it was after the 19th century with the sugar boom. Cabildos were organized by slaves belonging to the same ethnic group and became very popular in the urban areas.
Read more about Cabildo (Cuba): Benefits Brought By The cabildos, Tensions Caused By The cabildos, The Decline of The cabildos, Names and Origins of Cabildos