Cuban customs

As a result of the mixture of cultures, in a process that lasted several centuries, a unique culture of great richness was born that shows Spanish, aboriginal and African traits both in art, music, gastronomy and the way of seeing life. In order to get to know the Cuban people a little better, in the next post we review some of the most prominent Cuban customs.

Traditional festivals of Cuba

At Christmas it is a tradition for the family to get together to enjoy a delicious banquet, which usually has the pig as its star dish and a variety of desserts as the finishing touch. However, in Cuba there is no reference to Santa Claus and therefore the exchange of gifts is not typical.

Regarding the New Year, it is customary in Cuba to symbolically get rid of everything bad from the previous year by representing it on a doll that is set on fire on the eve of the new year. Another way to attract good luck and prosperity is to throw water on your shoulders. It is also customary in Cuba to celebrate the arrival of the New Year with a great fireworks display.

On the other hand, other popular Cuban festivals are carnivals, brass bands, parrandas, peasant festivals and patron saint festivals. Among the most outstanding are the Carnivals of Havana and those of Santiago de Cuba, the Bandos de Majagua de Ciego de Ávila, the Charangas de Bejucal in the province of Myabeque or the Romerías de Mayo celebrated in the city of Holguín.

Greetings in Cuba

It is customary for men to greet each other with a handshake and women with a kiss on the cheek. They are very affectionate and there is never an excess of confidence as it is part of their communication ritual.

Image | Pixabay

Sports

Cubans have a special talent for practicing sports, so the Cuban delegation usually obtains many medals at the Olympic Games. In addition, when it comes to the combination of leisure and sports, baseball is one of his favorite hobbies to the point that many of the best baseball players in the American league come from Cuba. Other widely practiced sports are cycling, swimming, boxing, volleyball, and basketball.

Weddings in Cuba

A very curious Cuban custom at weddings is that those who want to dance with the bride first must put some money on her dress. A small symbolic gift that the bride and groom thank their guests.

Traditional Cuban dress

Regarding the traditional Cuban clothing, we find garments such as the guayabera (a piece of common use and gala), the yarey hat (typical accessory of the Cuban peasant) and the Cuban robe, a traditional feminine garment that dates from the XNUMXth century.

Gastronomy of Cuba

The cuisine of Cuba is the result of the combination of Spanish, aboriginal, African, Yucatecan and even Asian gastronomy. Among the most popular dishes are roast pork, ajiaco, congrí, buñuelos, tamales, casabe and tostones. As for the typical drinks, these are characterized by the production of sugar cane and the tropical climate of the island, which results in sweet and icy drinks such as mojito, piña colada, daiquiri, cuba libre, champola , the oriental pru, the guarapo and the coffee.

Punctuality above all

Unless there is some urgent unforeseen event at the last minute, Cubans are in the habit of not being late for any place, be it for an appointment, meeting or party. They can get ahead but never be late. Punctuality is a deeply ingrained custom.

Flu with its own name

In Cuba it is customary to call the strongest colds and flu by the name of a soap opera villain. Cubans do not lose their creativity even when they are sick and they always bring out the happy side of everything.

Give a gift for nothing

The Cuban is generous by nature that is why he always gives gifts without expecting anything in return. They really like to surprise friends and family with an unexpected gift that brings a smile to life.

Image | Cuba in Miami

Ice cream anytime

Whether in wafer or in plates, this tasty dessert is always present in the lives of Cubans. They don't give it up for the world.

Music

Cuban music cannot be absent and it is that since the beginning of the XNUMXth century the music of this country has been internationalized. Rhythms that identify Cuba as the “son cubano”, which many highlight as the precursor of “salsa” and “cha cha cha”. There are also exponents of his music such as Benny Moré, Celia Cruz or La Lupe.


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