Today's lesson in Cuban culture comes to you directly from Miami from my friend, Elena Santayana. Last year Elena was kind enough to share her family's "coming to America" story here on My Big, Fat, Cuban Family. Her family owns the beautiful jewelry store of the same name. Santayana Jewelers in Miami.
- Santayana Jewelers • 917 SW 122 Ave. • Miami, Florida • (305) 559-8565
- Santayana Jewelers • 640 Crandon Blvd. • Key Biscayne • (305) 361-2786
The azabache is a black onyx stone. Cleaned and polished and attached to a pin of some sort. The unassuming azabache is the grand protector of all Cuban babies from untold evils.
There were two things that every Cuban child was practically born with: Violetas cologne and an azabache.
The Violetas is a light cologne scented with violets. I am venturing to guess that there is not one Cuban child in my family who was deprived of smelling deliciously of violets, but that's not important right now.
Also mandatory for every Cuban kid, was the azabache. It's the only thing that can protect from jealousy, the evil eye, and all sorts of untold calamaties brought on by strangers glancing sideways at you as they pass by.
As Santayana says, "The azabache…keeping you safe on the playground since 1978…"
Today's very Cuban offering for MBFCF Giveaway Week is generously sponsored by Santayana Jewelers.
And it is…..you guessed it – An azabache!
Not just any pedestrian azabache, either. It's a Santayana exclusive design – an authentic silver azabache pendant on a leather and silver Chamilia bracelet.
MBFCF Blogiversary Giveaway #4:
Santayana Leather Bracelet with Azabache (retail value: $90.)
Leave a comment on this post for a chance to win this gorgeous Leather Bracelet and Azabache charm from Santayana Jewelers and please answer one or both of the following questions:
- Did you have an azabache pinned to you as a baby?
- Did you pin one on your own kids – por si acaso? (I know you did. Confess.)
- NOTE: Even if you're not Cuban and don't have the fantastic superstitions that we grew up with as part of your emotional baggage, please feel free to enter to win this beautiful bracelet. Just tell me anything about yourself as a child.
For an extra entry,, please go "like" Santayana Jewelers on Facebook and come back and leave me another comment telling me:
"I like Santayana Jewelers!"
So that's not one, but two chances to win.
I'll choose a winner at the end of MBFCF Blogiversary Giveaway Week on Wednesday, October 9th, 2013 at 11 am, so you have all week to enter.
If you absolutely can't wait for a winner to be drawn next week and you want to go ahead and order your own Azabache Bracelet
immediately (take no chances with your health, people!), Santayana Jewelers is very graciously offering an online
promotion for My big, fat, Cuban family readers.*
*Santayana & MBFCF Promotion: $40 off your $150 purchase with the promo code MARTASENTME. (I feel sooo accidentally cool.)
As all good Cuban babies, I did have and wear an azabache! Had them for my kids too, and the Agua de Violetas is still found easily here in Miami.. Even my grandkids have been doused! Love your blog, and the bracelet is really beautiful.
Bueno, mi padre siendo Espanol no creia en esas cosas y nunca me dejo usarlo. Mis padres vivian aqui en Michigan y no se como, pero mi abuela me mando uno por parte de una familia. Bueno, eso fue del carajo lo que se formo. Mi pobre abuela…primero le toco oir la monselga de mi papa y despues di mi abuelo que siempre hiba a la iglesia bautista en Cuba. jajajajaja En fin…lo tengo en el cofre como recuerdo de mi abuela. El otro dia estaba buscando uno para mi hija. En si yo no creo en esas cosas, pero siempre los encontre bellos.
I wore one since I was a baby and all throughout my adult life thanks to my dear mom (R.I.P.)! I then did the same for my two daughters and now they both have little kids (boys) of their own and they have them! I would like one because I lost mine and I would like to wear it with my necklace!Muchas gracias!
Elizabeth
Yes I had an azabache pinned to me as a baby. Actually I had one on my necklace all the way up until I was 20 years old when one day someone gave me a “mal de ojo” ;/( and the azabache burst into tiny pieces. No joke or make up story. The factual truth. And yes I pinned one on my kids too. I think it really works. lolbtw..I still wear the violeta colone (agustine reyes) the best. hahaahaha
“I like Santayana Jewelers!”
I wore an azabache as a baby and had an azabache on a No Me Beses pin that my daughters wore as babies ( with their Violetas) . Please, I really need one now since I am having surgery at the end of the month!
I first learned of Santayana Jewelers from MBFCF. I already have a cafetera charm and an N charm from them. I already subscribe to their newsletter and now I LIKE them on Facebook!
Of course I wore an azabache as a baby and even still have the one my husband wore. As for my own babies, they didn’t wear one.
Hi Martica, My mother was not supersticious, therefore, she never had us wear azabaches. When my first son was born, a cuban relative game me one of those gold pins that say Dios Te Bendiga, with the azabache hanging from it. I had my son wear it. Later came my second son, and he wore it and lastly my third son, and he also wore it. I still have the pin for my grandchildren. I love azabaches, I also owned an azabache cuban bracelet, but it broke. It was my favorite. It would be great to have one again! Thanks! Laura M.
I definitely wore one…all three of my children wore one, and my grandchildren have as well. I also owned a bracelet which broke a long time ago and I can’t find them anywhere! Pick me!!
I like Santayana Jewelers!
I definitely wore one.And when my son was born, his madrina gifted him one.
It’s tradition!
I didnt wear one as a child, my Cuban dad didn’t believe it that – but i sure did! My son wore one from the time he was in the womb! I wore it on my wrist during pregnancy and then pinned to him from the day he was born. Gotta protect from el mal de ojo! (And hey, my japi bersday is on the 9th!)
And I like Santayana! (And ordered an “abuela” charm for my mom thanks to you posting about them!)
Yes! I had one as did my two siblings. My children will definitely have them. I even gave my goddaughter one for her baptism.
Hi Marta, my azabache came to me in a unique fashion. While visiting my aunt as a baby, my mom was showing me off the neighbor. This neighbor had known my mom throughout her childhood and was excited to meet me. When she saw me she noticed I had no azabache. Distraught, she told my mom that I was to beautiful not to be “protected”. I needed an azabache to keep away the “mal de ojo” and “envidia”. My mom, not being much of a believer, just smile and said she’d to it. Well Caridad would have none of that! She promptly took of her own azabache and pinned it on my dress. Thirty nine years later I still have that same azabache!
Hi Marta,I’m not Cuban, but had the pleasure of marrying Cuban. I’m learning all about the superstitions. Mine, coming from a Ukrainian family, were not so much superstitions, but “old wives tales”; like, don’t got out with wet hair or you’ll get sick; don’t drive with the window open or you’ll get an ear infection; and so on.
“I like Santayana Jewelers!” on Facebook 🙂
I like Santayana on Facebook too!
I grew up wearing one of these… And yes Violetas cologne… I like to think of it as perfume because of the baby outside the box. As a Cuban American yes I am superstitious and I want to be protected… You never know….
I’m 100% Cuban and beyond proud!! I did not go anywhere as a child without my azabache on. I married a gringo but strictly inforced carrying the tradition on to my daughter who is now 2 years old who I swear has never gotten sick in those couple years ::knock on wood:: thanks to the protection of the azabache!!! My gringo is a huge believer now it was thanks to that too! I am currently pregnant with my second child and feel with the protection of that azabache bracelet for myself will protect me and my future baby way before he/she is even born!! Please pick me!!!! So I can try and convince my mother-in-law that it really works 😉
I like Santayana Jewelers!!! 🙂
Love it! Never leave home without it!
Hi Marta, big fan but first time participating.My mother put azabaches on us only because it was the “thing” to do sorta like a fashion statement, not because she was superstitious. I did the same with my boys although Catholics are not suppose to, oh well!! But along came my grandsons and I didn’t even try it. My daughter-in-law’s family are super,duper Catholics the kind that go to church daily so forget that. That was the end of the azabaches era. The Violeta cologne was pay-back I still spray it on them and their 8-11-13!! Love that stuff.
I like (love actually) Santayana Jewelers!!
I love this jewelry store! Elena has been so helpful, patient, and just plain nice. I wouldn’t shop anywhere else. I don’t remember if I had the pin as a baby, but I did have it on my necklace when I was a toddler. And now I’m gonna be a grandma, and it’s my turn to get the colonia de violetas and the azabache with pin holder for my granddaughter!
I’m an honorary Cuban. I married into the best family in the world. We have two little Cubanitas into the world wearing an azabache and agua de violeta. I am proud to be an honorary Cuban!
I liked Santayana Jewelers….months ago! 😉
I love Santayana Jewelers! & off course I had an azabache pin on me when I was a baby. Love my Cuban Heritage! Amazing memories. Thank you!
My mother wasn’t too traditional, so I doubt she put azabaches on us (which can explain a couple of things) however, I made sure my children and grandchildren all had their “Dios me Bendiga” gold pin con azabache. ::crossing myself & kissing thumb knuckle:: Loving these great giveaways; gracias y BB2U.
The “like” on Santayana was done by my alterego Sonia Guerra desde your first intro of them. Son divino!! BB2U
Hi Marta!My brother and I both wore our azabaches until high school when it suddenly became “uncool.” My grandma said I didn’t have to wear it on my neck but I was still going to wear it on a pin.
I married a nice Americanito who had no idea what he was getting into but has learned to appreciate the smell of the violetas, the taste of a sofrito and the music from sun up to sun down. He no longer bats an eye when the kids ask for “sana sanas” when they get hurt, beg for their colonia or practice their Jose Marti versos around him. We fought back and forth when our son was born over the azabache but mama eventually won. Our kids are very proud of their necklaces and show them off whenever they meet someone new.
I love the style of this Santayana azabache and would wear it proudly! And I’ve been a facebook fan for months! 🙂
I have my azabache I wore as a baby and up until my teens (later on in a necklace). Means so much to me to still have these special Cuban mementos as I grew up in a typical Cuban family.
Is it a crime against Cubanity to NOT have worn an azabache? I never had one as a child but all my cousins did. My mother was either above superstition or extremely confident nothing bad would ever befall me.
I like Santayana Jewelers on Facebook!
Mi mama me puso mi azabache desde bebita en Cuba y yo segui la tradicion con todos 3 de mis hijos y ahora con los dos nietos. A mi primer nieto, Osito, que tiene 2 anos ya, le compre su azabache en Miami y su canastilla y le pase’ el azabache de mi hijo (que ya cumplio 30 anos) a su primer bebita Cataleya cuando nacio el 2 de Junio 2013, y sus Violetas tambien. Hasta le pongo Violetas a mis perritos, my other babies, cuando los bano. Ningun bebe debe estar sin su azabache de proteccion.
I just went to Santayana Jewelers FB Page and liked them too! I will definitely be ordering some items from them also.
This reminds me of when I was younger and always had one on!! Would love to wear again!
I liked Santayana Jewelry FB page and liked
Oh yes, I had my azabache and smelled of Villegas. Would love a grown-up version. It’s beautiful!!
I never heard of the szabache. But I do have an ID bracelet from my childhood and it had my name and address on one side and the good shepherd with the 23rd psalm on the other. My granddaughter plays with it now. I do remember notes being pined to me saying who I was and who to call if I got lost. LOL I’d love to win one!
like Santayana Jewelers
I sure did have one and both of my younger brothers! My mom gave it to me a few years ago, as I believed it would protect me from an evil person at work 😉 But can’t seem to find it anywhere now. I never bought one for my son, because I automatically expected someone in the family to regalarlo. He’s almost 2 so I should probably check it off my “to-buy” list soon 🙂
I liked Santayana’s FB page!
I know I had one and yes violetas too. My son had a nice pin one with his name on it. My husband thought it was nuts when I tried to explained the concept since he is not Cuban. He thinks it’s some voodoo so I use to pin it in the inside so he would no see it. Lol. Needless to say all three of my kids had one..
I like Santayanas jewelry
Violetas and azabaches are definitely Cuban must haves. I wore an azabache, my brothers too, my nieces, nephew, cousins, everyone and anyone. Basically, don’t leave home without it!
Definitely had one. Couldn’t go anywhere without it. My son also had one when he was a baby. It was pinned on him to ward off evil and of course we used Violetas.
“I like Santayana Jewelers!”
Desde la infancia siempre tuve un azabache…despues de muchos anos aqui en el exilio, mis tres hijos tambien tuvieron azabaches…ahora que soy abuela, los nietecitos tienen azabaches tambien!…Que fragancia esa colonia de violetas!…El olor nunca deja de transportarme a mis raices Cubanas!…Que vivan las tradiciones!…Miriam
“I like Santayana Jewelers!”
I wanted to work at the zoo with baby animals when I was a young child 🙂
Marta,Of course I had one, and the violetas, nunca puede faltar. My kids also wore the azabaches “por si las moscas”. Esos mal de ojos, OMG. Aren’t we the luckiest race? Todos nos tienen envidia! 😉
I like Santayana Jewelers, and would love an azabache.
A Cuban tradition….always done…every baby wore one!
My daughter, sister and I wear one daily. Would not leave the house without it!
No I did not have an azabache pinned to me as a baby but I plan to buy one for my first childI will love to win this jewerly for my first child
I sure need to win this azabache, things are a little weird lateley……
Azache and Violetas ……. like all the Cuban children. I did have one as a child and I did put them on my children and in 1 of my grandchildren.
Still keep the tradition alive lets keep it going and that bracelet is hot!!!!
“I like Santayana Jewelers!”
Yes I had an azabache pinned on me as a baby. I still have it on my chain to this day! When my son was born he got an azabache from my mom on his birth day at the hospital!!!
Yes I had an azabache pinned on me as a baby. I still have it on my chain to this day! When my son was born my mami gave him an azabache pin on his birth day at the hospital!
I had one as a child for as long as I can remember…and when both my children were born, my father got them each an azabache to wear, first pinned onto their onesies and then when they got a bit older, as part of a bracelet. And when my children have children, this abuela will make sure they have them as well!
I like Santayana Jewelers!
Hi Marta! I like Santayana Jewelers.
I will love to win the azabache leather bracelet. I had 4 children and all 4 wore their azabache attached to their clothing with a pin that said”Dios me bendiga” is was part of them .
Did I wear an azabache? Did my children wear an azabache? What Cuban in their right mind didn’t? My azabache was attached to my pasador (small charm that is attached to babies clothing) that read Que Dios Te Bendiga (God Bless You). Of course all four of my children had their own azabaches purchased by none other than Abuela (grandmother)and when I become a grandmother I will also buy azabaches for my grandchildren “Por si las moscas” (In case of the flies). I cant hurt right? Love my Cuban traditions and love even more sharing them my my kids.
I Like Santayana Jewelers so much I wear Santayana. Love their Cuban beads collection!
In most of my baby pictures I am wearing the traditional azabache dangling from a little pin that reads “no me beses.” I still haven’t figured out what the don’t kiss me pin was about but my mother explained to me that the azabache was for protection. While I’ve always thought it was just a silly superstition, I fully intend to have my children wear them too for the sake of tradition.
Hola Marta, yes I did have one pinned as a baby and also (por si las moscas) pinned one of each of my boys. They were the one that came hanging from a little gold bar that read “Que Dios Me Bendiga” that way we had everything covered. BTW, I love Santayana Jewelers.
“I like Santayana Jewelers!”Hola Marta, yes I did have one pinned as a baby and also (por si las moscas) pinned one of each of my boys. They were the one that came hanging from a little gold bar that read “Que Dios Me Bendiga” that way we had everything covered. BTW, I lOVE Santayana Jewelers.
I’m pretty sure I wore one. I know we all had them on our gold chains as children. Most of my cousins wore them also. Although I am not superstitious, I do think it’s a beautiful stone.
I believe that azabache is not black onyx, but Jet. Jet is actually polished, petrified wood. That is why all azabaches should be lightweight, yet strong.
Azabache is made of petrified wood. Not an onyx stone.
It’s not made of onyx do better research sounds like they are just trying to over charge
Jet (Azabache) is a special wood which for millions of years absorbed energy and heat from earth and transformed to a powerful stone. The energy in Jet protects the user against danger, bad luck & sickness. Some african tribes burn Jet to produce a black smoke to deter demons and witchcraft. As a healing stone it can be used to cure epilepsy, stomach troubles, cramps, premenstrual syndrome & the common cold. NOT ONXY
Other then that this site is nice.
Today I was searching online for a azabache bracelete (from Pandora) and bumped in to this beautiful website of Cuban jewlery and i must say Santayana jewlery is absolutely stunning and i love it!
Forgot to mention I despritly need one to protect my unborn child im eight months pregnant on high risk.
The azabache is not an onyx but made of jet. Jet is “but rather a mineraloid as it has an organic origin, being derived from decaying wood under extreme pressure”. The authentic azabache can actually be used to leave a black mark like coal. However, nowadays it is very difficult to find the authentic azabache and Cuban jewelers insists that it is onyx to sell the stone. So essentially if you “believe” in the azabache you are not wearing the “real” thing if it’s not JET.
I’m not Cuban but i grew up as an abusive child and now I’m an adult I do believe in the azababache for my safety and to keep the evil spurts away from me but I do have a lot of Cuban friends and I do believe in the some of the cuban Santos but I want to know more about the Cuban santos…