The shocking and violent death of reggaeton artist José Manuel Carbajal Zaldívar, known as El Taiger, has left the Cuban community in mourning. In the search for explanations behind this tragic event, many are delving into his personal life, his social behavior in Miami, and his religious beliefs. El Taiger's fans frequently refer to the mystical undertones in some of his songs, with some claiming he foretold his own death in the lyrics and video for "El Sano."
The Influence of Religious Syncretism in El Taiger's Life
El Taiger's beliefs extend beyond his music, delving into the complex world of religious syncretism prevalent in Cuba. In a recent interview on the YouTube channel "Lo de nosotros no tiene nombre," El Taiger openly discussed his faith in God and his devotion to Babalú Ayé, also known as San Lázaro in the Yoruba religion. "I'm a firm believer in God, but if you ask for details about my Yoruba religion, I can provide them. I'm a son of San Lázaro, my sign is Irete Lazo. I've seen enough in this world to place my faith in God because I've encountered the Devil, or rather, I've seen people," he humorously remarked, "Put that in a podcast."
The Ominous Sign: Irete Lazo
During the interview, El Taiger revealed a crucial detail about his life—his oddun in the Ifá divination system: Irete Lazo. This sign carries warnings about being vigilant, as danger may be lurking, and emphasizes the importance of recognizing one's enemies.
Following the news of El Taiger's death, Cuban babalawo Alain Ifa Tola Oye Emi, residing in the United States, urged Ifá priests close to the late musician to thoroughly examine the information regarding the Irete Lazo sign. Alain believes that, through appropriate rituals, the truth behind this tragic murder will emerge, and justice will be served. "There's a path in that sign called 'The Trap of Orunmila,' which eerily describes what happened to El Taiger. He was being watched out of envy. El Taiger always knew who his enemies were," stated the priest.
The Story of "The Trap of Orunmila"
The pataky, or story, of "The Trap of Orunmila" involves a scenario where Orunmila, a great diviner living in a wooden house, was targeted by enemies who sought to destroy him with fire. They dug a tunnel from the entrance of his house to his room, unnoticed by Orunmila. Through a gap in the floor, they observed where he sat daily to consult the oracle. The space beneath this room was filled with strong beams, wood, trash, and fabric, which they set ablaze.
Osun, situated at Orunmila's right, began to move due to the heat. Noticing this, Orunmila turned Osun towards himself, revealing the fiery trap. He recited prayers and used sacred water to extinguish the flames. Taking a staff, Orunmila struck the ground forcefully. As smoke cleared, his enemies were revealed, surrendering to him, ready for their fate. Instead of punishing them, Orunmila encouraged them to learn Ifá, so they might gain the knowledge he had and shed their envy. From that moment, Orunmila understood Osun's role was to warn and protect him from any threat.
In the aftermath of El Taiger's death, there are indications that fuel was found at the scene, and those present were close to the artist. On social media, observers of the case suggest that El Taiger, known as La Tranka de Cuba, may have fallen victim to a well-planned trap intended to end his life. "It wasn't just one or two; there were at least four people. Listen, this is Ifá, I'm shedding light," warned the babalawo, calling for unity among priests to ensure justice in El Taiger's murder case.