Every year, KSU’s Division of Global Affairs chooses a country to highlight and study throughout the year. For the 2019-2020 school year, we are celebrating the country of Cuba. This means learning about its culture, including language, values, history, and traditions. Two Cuban students share their experiences as we explore the culture of Cuba.
Language
The national language of Cuba is Spanish. It is the first language of 90% of the Cuban population. Other languages are spoken in the country, however, including Haitian Creole, Lucimi, Galician, and Corsican, according to TripCuba. Although Spanish is the national language, the Cuban dialect of Spanish is very unique and even native Spanish speakers from other countries may sometimes be confused when trying to converse with a native Cuban.
Angie Garcia, a KSU freshman, says, “When it comes to language, I can speak on behalf of everyone and say that we speak Spanglish. That’s just how it is.”
Spanglish is a combination of Spanish and English and is used by many Cuban Americans and other Americans with a Hispanic background.
Unlike Cuba, the United States does not have a national language. Instead, we have a rich blend of languages, including English, Spanish, Chinese, and French. However, the most commonly spoken language in the United States is English.
Values
According to GlobalSecurity, approximately 59% of the Cuban population is Roman Catholic. Another 23% is atheist or agnostic, and the rest of Cuba consists of citizens from many religions, including Santeria and other African-Caribbean folk beliefs or Protestant and other non-Catholic forms of Christianity. In addition to being religious, Cubans have many personal values. One of those values, that many Cubans believe is very important, is spending time with family.
Victoria Sigur is a KSU sophomore. She says, “I find that Cubans have a large sense of family. It is important to us and we value the quality time that we spend together.”
Garcia says, “Like any other Spanish ethnicity, we value our family the most. When it comes to family, nothing else matters. Well, except Dios (God) himself: religion-wise, most of us are Catholic.”
Many Americans would say that they value the time spent with their families, regardless of their religion. However, it is very common for citizens of the US to be religious as well. Common religions in the United States include Christianity (many different branches), Judaism, and Islam.
History
Nations Online is a great website where you can find information on the history of Cuba. The country was first settled by the Guanahatabey and Taino Native Americans. These people were farmers, hunters, and fishers. In 1492, Christopher Columbus claimed the island of Cuba for Spain. He named it Isla Juana, but the name was later changed to Cuba, from the local Native American name, coabana. Over the years, Cuba has been through a lot of social and political hardship. These include political repression, censorship, and capital punishment, according to the Pitt School of Social Work.
Sigur says, “The struggles that the Cuban community has faced over many years has only made us more resilient and brought us closer together.”
Traditions
Like every country, Cuba is rife with traditions. For example, Cuba is a very superstitious country. Among these superstitions includes this piece of advice: Never let a rocking chair swing by itself. This is an omen of death, so if you ever sit in a rocking chair in Cuba, make sure it is stationery before you stand up. In addition to their superstitions, Cubans love their food.
Sigur says, “Food is a part of this experience as well. You’re spending time with your family, eating good food and listening to great music. That’s all a part of the Cuban experience.”
Garcia says, “Growing up Cuban, there are a lot of traditions. We celebrate Christmas dinner the night before: Noche Buena, which means ‘the good night.’ We roast and eat a whole pig for Noche Buena.”
Both girls are very passionate about their Cuban heritage, and about keeping the traditions alive.
Cuba is a beautiful country with a rich culture, and these few aspects are just the beginning of a deep exploration of the country. For more information, or to immerse yourself further in the Cuban experience, check out KSU’s Year of Cuba events, such as a Cuban show or art exhibit. You can find more information on the Division of Global Affairs website.