27 Incredible Cuba Culture Facts That Reflect Cuban Life!

Cuba is an Amerindian country with the biggest single island in the archipelago and one of the most powerful governments in the Caribbean area.

In 1492, Christopher Columbus claimed Cuba for Spain, claiming it as the realm of the Arawakan-speaking Taino, who had evicted even earlier populations. In the 18th century, it became the most significant supply of raw sugar for the Spanish empire, earning the moniker 'Pearl of the Antilles'.

Despite having to battle multiple arduous and costly operations against independence movements, Spain maintained control of Cuba until 1898, when it was destroyed in the Spanish-American War by US and Cuban forces.

On January 1, 1959, revolutionary troops headed by Fidel Castro deposed dictator Fulgencio Batista's administration. Two years later, Fidel Castro declared the revolution to be Marxist-Leninist.

As it built tight ties with the Soviet Union, Cuba became economically isolated from its northern neighbor. However, the fall of the Soviet Union in the early '90s severely isolated Cuba, ushering in what Cubans euphemistically refer to as the periodo especial ('special era'), a period of chronic shortages and financial instability.

With approximately 11 million people, Cuba is the Caribbean's second-most populous country after Haiti. Cuba's population is multiethnic, reflecting the country's complicated past from the colonial era.

As intermarriage between different groups is common in Cuba, there are some discrepancies in reports of the country's racial composition. But without any doubt, Cuba is indeed a culturally and ethnically extremely diverse nation.

It is the Caribbean's largest island and the world's 17th largest island by land area. Apart from the Sierra Maestra mountains in the southeast, whose highest point is Pico Turquino, the main island is primarily flat with rolling plains.

Syncretisms of many kinds are also prominent in Cuba's religious landscape. Santera, a blend of Catholicism and largely African beliefs, which includes a number of cults, is commonly practiced alongside Christianity.

The Virgin of Cobre (La Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre) is the Catholic patroness of Cuba and an icon of Cuban national culture. In creating its mostly Cuban state-controlled planned economy, the Cuban government declares its commitment to socialist values.

A rebellion led by planter Carlos Manuel de Céspedes in 1868 sought full independence from Spain. A sugar planter, De Céspedes, liberated his African slaves to fight alongside him for an independent Cuba. The slaves wanted more freedom.

The government owns and operates the majority of the means of production as well as the majority of the labor force. Cuba even has many interesting wildlife creatures. Cubans resort to European influences, especially the old Havana population, because of the colonial era.

Cuba's music is very famous around the world, besides Cuba's history. Many international baseball stars are from Cuba. So, it goes without a doubt that baseball is Cuba's favorite sport.

In terms of culture, Cuba is a country that is considered to be a part of Latin America. When the rest of the Spanish forced their empire in Latin America to revolt and become independent governments in the '20s, Cuba remained a loyal Spanish colony.

Its economy was dependent on the empire's needs. Cuba had 213,167 free people of color by 1860. Cuba's thick forests and the Cuban national team playing soccer are very famous. Cuba is also known for its long and narrow island, besides Cuban music. Cuban music is world-famous.

The Cuban government did not have cordial relations with the United States for several years when the communists overtook the government of the country. Relations have been hostile, to say the least.

But finally, in 2015, relations started improving when the United States reopened its embassy in Cuba. Soon, the government of Cuba reciprocated by opening its embassy in the United States. Both countries are now enjoying a steady improvement in their relations.

After reading these Cuba facts about its culture, traditions, and the importance of Old Havana as the capital, also check Cuba government facts and Dominican Republic economy facts.

The Customs And Traditions Of Cuba

After centuries of Spanish domination and serving as a playground for the West's rich and famous; the political and social revolution of 1959 helped shape Cuba, which decided to establish its own identity. However, traces of past experiences still exist.

One example is a hat. Panama hats and Spanish sombreros are in vogue, but baseball caps are also in vogue (baseball, a great American pastime, is still a very popular sport in Cuba).

However, some of the most famous hats in Cuba are the Canotier Cuban hat, the Pork Pie, and the Boater Hat, which can be worn on all occasions.

More than half of Cuban doctors are women, and women make up a significant portion of the workforce. Babysitting is free, and contraception and legal abortion are generally available for women 16 years of age or older.

There are two state-run television channels in Cuba. Area codes in Cuba are one or two digits long.

Cuba has a sizable black and mixed-race population, and the various African cultural influences in the country are known as Afro-Cuban. Puros and Habanos are the names given to cigars in Cuba. Habanos S.A., Cuba's official cigar manufacturer, is the company responsible for promoting premium cigar brands on the island.

The Ballet Nacional de Cuba is a world-renowned ballet group in Cuba. It is believed if one squints, Cuba will look like a crocodile, and hence, Cubans commonly refer to their country as El Cocodrilo. In Cuba, topless sunbathing is not permitted.

Some Values Of Cuban Culture

Jose Marti, one of the national heroes, underlines the values upheld by Cuban culture. Some of those values are human dignity, a person's personal, cultural, and national identity, patriotism, human solidarity and connection to others, and social justice, all deeply etched in the Cuban Constitution.

Here are some interesting Cuba facts that will let you know more about the values of this Caribbean island nation.

A constitution that ensures basic human rights is a prerequisite for the Cuban people, whose culture promotes collaboration and support for the well-being of all of its residents. The Cuban Constitution, enacted by 99.02% of voters in 1976, pledged the state to provide its inhabitants with free education and health care.

Other countries have different principles that they uphold. Individualism, for example, is a significant principle that underpins and impacts the lives and goals of Americans.

The principles that motivated the framers of the United States Constitution, the majority of whom were slaveholders at the time, were self-interest, competitiveness, getting ahead, and materialism. The United States Constitution affirms and protects individual rights to life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness.

As Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean Sea in terms of its population and size, it is needless to say that the culture here is quite diverse compared to other Caribbean nations. The culture of Cuba can be regarded as an amalgamation of contradictory factors and influences.

People here love to live their lives to the fullest and enjoy music and dancing on any given occasion.

The way the different segments of society perceive culture and values varies based on their economic situation as well. Families that have access to US dollars through trade or remittances are able to lead a comfortable life that matches the standard of living of middle-class individuals in the Caribbean.

The Reflection of African Culture In The Dominican Republic And Cuba

The Dominican Republic's culture is a rich blend of influences from all around the world. The Dominican people and their customs have predominantly European cultural roots, with African and local Taino influences.

The Dominican Republic was the location of the first European settlement in the Western Hemisphere, Santo Domingo, which was established in 1493. The heart of Dominican culture developed from Spanish culture as a result of almost five centuries of Spanish influence on the island.

The Dominican Republic is distinguished from other Caribbean islands by its diverse legacy of Arawak, Spanish, African, and French customs, as well as its early independence. Independence was obtained before slavery was abolished in the other Spanish Caribbean colonies and a century before the other islands were decolonized.

African and Amerindian cultures have left their mark on Cuba's culture. They have created musical forms like the habanera, the mambo, and the punto. The influence of African culture can be felt in Cuban cuisine as well.

The national dish of Cuba, the Moors and Christians, is a delicious dish of rice and black beans. Salads of quimbombó are also popular. Santera, a blend of Catholicism and largely African beliefs, which includes a number of cults, is commonly practiced alongside Christianity.

The Castro Effect On Cuba Culture

Under Fidel Castro, Cuba underwent changes that affected the socio-political and economic foundations of society. During the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro and an affiliated group of revolutionaries overthrew Fulgencio Batista's ruling regime, pushing Batista out of office on January 1, 1959.

The year 1959 marked a significant turnaround for the fortunes of Cuba as the military coup was successful in overthrowing the oppressive and corrupt government to promote the socialist agenda. Fidel Castro severed all ties with the United States and nationalized the local companies.

Castro, who was already a prominent figure in Cuban society, was elected Prime Minister from 1959 until 1976. From 1961 until 2011, he was also the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, the most prominent post in the communist regime.

In 1976, Castro was sworn in as President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers. He held both positions till 2008 when the presidency was transferred.

From 1962 through 1992, Fidel Castro's regime was publicly atheist. He removed Christmas as a holiday and many traditions of the island suffered similar treatment.

Cuba rose to worldwide prominence during Fidel Castro's leadership for a variety of reasons, including his firm conviction in communism, his critiques of other foreign personalities, and the economic and social improvements he instituted. Castro's Cuba became a pivotal player in the Cold War conflict, pitting the United States and its allies against the Soviet Union and its allies.

Castro's intention to go on the offensive against capitalism and expand the communist revolution led to the formation of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias - FAR) and its deployment to Africa.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 27 Incredible Cuba culture facts that reflect Cuban life, then why not take a look at why do dogs smile or why do dogs eat grass and should you let them do so.