Culture

Culture in Cuba is the amalgamation of main cultural elements of different ethnic groups that migrated here from time to time. The most notable of these migrants have been the Spanish and the African. The Spanish who migrated here from Castile supplanted the culture of the aborigines in Cuba. This was followed by people coming to Cuba from Canary Islands, Galicia, and Catalonia. The influx of migrants in Cuba continued actively till the last century with many people from Eastern Europe and China coming here and conferring a unique assimilative culture to Cuba.

The fusion element can be seen in each aspect of Cuban culture whether its music, language, religion or cuisine. Its literature includes contributions by the writers of non-Cubic origin such as Stephen Crane and Ernest Hemingway.

Cuban cuisine is a blend of Spanish and Caribbean food culture. The Cuban recipes often use spices from Spain and follow Spanish technique of cooking. Similarly, Caribbean influence can also be felt in the spices used and in the flavor of the food.

As far as religious practices are concerned, Santeria, a form of religion followed in Cuba has derived many of its elements from Catholicism and from African religious faiths, which are based on cult. This is again indicative of the assimilative features of Cuban culture.

Cuban music is influenced by musical genres of various countries, predominant among them being France and US. At the same time, Cuban music itself has contributed to the growth of jazz, salsa, tango in Argentina and even Spanish Nuevo flamenco.

Dancing also forms an integral part of the Cuban culture and has evolved in Cuba in many different forms .The salsa dance called "casino" has its origin in Cuba. Its theatre culture, wherein quality plays, classical ballet, musical compositions ranging from salsa to jazz or timba-jazz which is a blend of salsa and jazz are performed.

The earliest Cuban paintings were those of the aborigines made in caves. This was followed by religious paintings patronized by migrants. Paintings by the natives made much headway after the foundation of San Alejandro academy in the year 1818.

The modern style of painting received encouragement after the School Of Havana was set up in 1940. At present, there are a number of artists in Cuba whose artworks are an amalgamation of traditional and modern Cuban and international art.

Similarly, architecture in Cuba derived its features from the Hispanic architectural art, which was adapted to suit the needs of the tropical climate of Cuba. Later Cuban architecture adopted the features of the works of Catalonian artists and that of the modern rationalist style that evolved to give it a distinct character and charm.

A. Music

Music has been the mainstay of the Cuban life and culture .The main form of Cuban music called Son led to the development of many musical styles such as samba, salsa, rumbu and mambo and cha-cha-cha, a slower derivative of mambo.

The origin of many of the Cuban forms of Music can also be attributed to cabildos, which was a kind of social group among African slaves brought to the island. Religion called Santeria also played its part in influencing the Cuban music. This is because percussion formed an important part of the religion.

Cuban music has not been indifferent to the influences of the musical genres of different culture and countries. In addition to absorbing the distinctive musical elements of different lands, it has exerted its influence on others. Its valuable contribution has led to the growth of jazz, salsa, Argentinian tango, Ghanaian and high life, West African Afro beat and Spanish " Nuevo flamenco".

Cuban classical music is strongly influenced by African and European music and features symphonic works and music for soloists. Due to the contributions of music composers like Ernesto Lecuona, Cuban classical music has gained international recognition. Celia Curz one of the most recognized and accomplished Cuban singers has earned the distinction of being called the

"Queen of Salsa".

The late 1990's and the early 20th century have witnessed the revival of Cuban rhythms with artists like Ricky Martin and Christian and the Buena Vista popularizing Latin Music.

B. Language

Spanish is the language used by majority of people in Cuba. English is also understood by small fraction of people. However, Spanish and English have incorporated many words from Amerindian languages.

There are no local dialects of Spanish as such but the diverse ethnic communities living here have to a great extent influenced the pattern of speech. For instance the Africans staying here have imparted a rhythmic intonation and a strange nasal accent to the speech. Some of the words used by people are indigenous in nature. People following Santeria religion in Cuba use Lucumi as their language. This has been derived from Yoruboid language of the Niger-Congo family.

C. Religious Practices

Cuba has people belonging to diverse religious faiths .The most important religion, which is practiced by majority of people in Cuba, is Catholicism. The Spanish colonists initiated the faith in Cuba in the beginning of the 16th century.

Incidentally, Cuba is an atheistic state and does not recognize any religion as the official religion. Infact the state restricted the practice of any religion after the revolution in Cuba. Since the year 1991, there has been some relaxation in the religious policy of the state but Roman Catholic Church continues to derive its funds only from the state approved sources.

Catholicism in Cuba exists in tandem with Santeria, a religion combining the elements of Catholic faith with many other African religious faiths based on cult.

La Virgen de la Caridad, del Cobre is an important religious festival of Cuba and is celebrated annually on 8 September.

Protestantism was introduced in Cuba in the 18th century. Over the years has gained considerable popularity with over 300,000 Cubans subscribing to various Protestant denominations.

Other faiths like Pente Costalism and Assemblies of God also have number of adherents.

There are some Jewish followers in Cuba along with few adherents of Islamic and Baha'I faith.

D. Major Events

The month of February becomes the occasion for organization of several events such as Havana Carnival which features parades in front of the Capitaolio on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sunday evenings.

Jornadas De La Cultura Camagueyana takes place during the first two weeks of February.

Havana International Jazz Festival is organized in the month of February every second year.

In the month of July, Cuba celebrates Carnival in Santiago de Cuba. The carnival is held to mark the end of the sugar harvest.

Different activities are also held in July in commemoration of Fidel Castro's attack on Fort Moncada on July 26,1953.

Festival de Musica Contemporanea is a traditional cultural event that takes place in the month of October and brings together performers from both Cuba and abroad to perform in the theatres and concert halls.

Feria Internacional de La Habana is an international trade fair which takes place in the month of October Every year. The festival affords an opportunity to the exhibitors to display their products and to enter into new business contracts. People come from Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America to attend this festival.

Festival Of Caribbean Culture is celebrated in June or July in all the cities of Cuba.

Havana Festival Of Contemporary Music goes on for ten days in the month of October.

International Festival Of Latin American Film is held in Havana ever year in the month of December.

E. Ettiquette / Do's And Don'ts

DO'S

- Though ‘companero' is the common word used by Cubans to address each other, it is advisable for visitors to use ‘senor' or ‘senora'.

- Some of the Cubans have two surnames and the first surname should be used as that is considered the correct one.

- Do show normal courtesies while visiting someone's home.

- Do wear light clothing, as the climate being subtropical is very hot and humid.

- It is advisable to use mosquito repellants, as they can be quite irritating and harmful too.

- Do use bottled drinking water

- Do make it a point to carry sun blocks.

DON'T'S

- Do not rely much on the bus services.

- Men should not wear shorts except on or near the beach.

- It is advisable not to buy old books in Cuba as those published before 40's have been declared as National Patrimony. Owing to this factor these books cannot leave the country without due authorization.

IX. More Information / Resources

A. Tourism Offices

Cuban Tourist Office

55 Queen Street East, Suite 705

Toronto, Ontario

M5C 1R6

Tel: 416.362.0700

Cuban Tourist Office

440 Boulevard Rene Levesque Ouest

Montreal, Quebec

H2Z 1V7

Tel: 514.857.8804

Cuba Tourist Office

154 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8JT

Tel:020 7240 6655

B. Cuban Embassies

United States of America

United states Cuban Interest Office

Swiss Embassy, Washington D.C

United States 16 th St NW Washington, DC 20009

Tel: + 1 202 797 8518

United Kingdom

Embassy Of The Republic Of Cuba

High Holburn, London WC1V 6PA

Tel: + 44 ( 0) 20 7240 2488

Canada

Embassy Of Cuba, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 1E3

T el: +1 613 563 0141

Consulate General

Dundas St W, Suite 401

Etobicoke, Ontario M9B 6H8

Tel: 416-234-8181

Consulate General and Trade Commission

Av des Pins Ouest,

Montreal, Quebec, H3B 1B2

Tel: 514-843-8897

C. Foreign Embassies in Cuba

United States

US Interests Section

Calzada e/Ly M, Vedado

(537) 33-3551 / 59,33-3543/47 (537) 66-2095

Canada

Calle 30 NO.518 esq. a 7 ma.,

Miramar, Playa

(537) 204 -2517 /204-2527 (537) 204-2044

havan@dfait-maeci.gc.ca

United Kingdom and Northern Ireland

Calle 34 No. 702-704esq. a 7 ma. ,

Miramar, Playa

(537) 204-1771 (537) 204-8104

embrit@ceniai.inf.cu