My Mother in Havana, with Rebe Huntman

Heather A. Warfield speaks with Rebe Huntman about her memoir, 'My Mother in Havana: A Memoir of Magic and Miracle.' The conversation explores themes of pilgrimage, grief, and the search for identity through the lens of motherhood and spirituality. Rebe shares her personal journey of reconnecting with her mother after her passing, the significance of artifacts from her pilgrimage, and the transformative power of writing her memoir. The discussion also delves into the spiritual practices encountered in Cuba, including Santeria and ancestral worship, and how these experiences have shaped Rebe's understanding of being held by both her biological and spiritual mothers.

 

Takeaways:

*Pilgrimage is a process that spans decades.*

*Artifacts collected during a pilgrimage hold deep meaning.*

*Grief can reopen at different stages of life.*

*The search for the mother is a quest for identity.*

*Spiritual practices can provide healing and connection.*

*Ancestral worship can be a vital part of spirituality.*

*Transformation often requires stepping into discomfort.*

*Cuba's spiritual traditions offer a broad understanding of motherhood.*

*Writing can be a powerful tool for healing and understanding.*

 

Rebe Huntman is a memoirist, essayist, dancer, teacher, and poet who writes at the intersections of feminism, world religion and spirituality. For over a decade she directed Chicago’s award-winning Danza Viva Center for World Dance, Art & Music and its dance company, One World Dance Theater. Huntman collaborates with native artists in Cuba and South America, has been featured in Latina Magazine, Chicago Magazine, and the Chicago Tribune, and has appeared on Fox and ABC. A Macondo fellow and recipient of an Ohio Individual Excellence award, Huntman has received support for her debut memoir, My Mother in Havana: A Memoir of Magic & Miracle, from The Ohio State University, Virginia Center for Creative Arts, Ragdale Foundation, PLAYA Residency, Hambidge Center, and Brush Creek Foundation. She lives in Delaware, Ohio and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.