Cuban Culture

Religion

The pope visited Cuba and reached out to join believer and nonbeliever in reconciliation and urged Cubans “to look at the future with hope, to commit to changing things so all might live in harmony”. Fidel Castro welcomed the Pope. Santiago is a strong hold of Santeria – a faith based on African Gods and traditions that incorporates Catholic saints and imagery. The religious shrine I visited had many different sizes of glasses, iron pots, dolls, stones and dishes all used in their ceremonies. We attended Mass in Trinidad. The singing was very vibrant, drums, guitars and percussion instruments were used and the congregation joined in. It was a very moving and inspiring experience.

The People

Even though the people struggle to make ends meet they are a handsome, warm hearted, welcoming fun loving people. The heart

and soul of every Cuban is deep rooted in music and dance. Their music is a combination of Spanish melodies and African rhythms. We were serenaded

in every park plaza and restaurant we visited. Music is in the air. We saw them gracefully perform many of their traditional

dances. Their native dances include rumba, salsa, conga and Cuban bolero. Cubans are particularly fond of poetry and Cuban artists

have developed a national art that shows Negro and Spanish influence.

The pace of life is slow

and leisurely. Families gather to chat in the open doorways while others lazily rock back and forth in their rocking chairs. Old

men and women smoke their cigars while others drink the national drink which is

rum. We met an old wrinkled, weather-beaten faced man at a roadside inn selling bananas from a tattered cardboard box. My friend offered him biscuits. He politely took one and placed it among his bananas. He wouldn’t eat it he was taking it home to his bambino! In the searing heat in old Havana a young girl stood calmly collecting our empty water bottles. She blew kisses to us in gratitude as our bus departed - another touching moment in this island of contrasts. Children are all smiles and love to have their photos taken. Children fly homemade paper kites and roll down the street paths on homemade wooden go-carts. They have no fancy toys.