Cuban culture and history

¶ … island nation of Cuba has enjoyed a long and controversial history. Being located only ninety miles from the southern coast of the United States, Cuba physical location has affected its history and politics significantly.

Since Christopher Columbus' landing on the island in 1492 the Cuban culture and population has been altered. (Thomas) at the time of Columbus' landing the population was entirely native Indian. This small population of approximately 110,000, after being forced into virtual slavery by the immigrating Europeans was quickly extinguished through disease, malnutrition and general brutality. Within fifty years after Columbus' landing the entire Indian population was gone. Today there is little that remains of their culture.

Europeans immigrated to Cuba rapidly following Columbus' landing. Drawn by the climate and opportunities, the island was settled primarily by European residents of Portugal and Spain. Slavery, however, quickly became a major factor in the Cuban economy and with the demise of the native culture; the European land owners began importing significant numbers of Africans. Over the years there has been considerable intermarriage between the Europeans and Africans present on the island so that approximately fifty percent of the island is now mulatto but whiteness still enjoys favored status and so many Cubans downplay any connection to their African heritage. Interestingly, there is also a small oriental population on the island. Their appearance on the island occurred as an answer to the end of slavery. Their numbers remain quite small.

The island is dominated by three major mountain chains. Approximately one third of the island is mountainous. Nestled between the three ranges are two plains, one in the east and one in the west. The plain in the west, located in the province of Matanzas, has been the most dominant in the history of Cuba. It is here, in and around the City of Havana that the cultural, political, economic and military history of the island has developed. Twenty percent of the entire population of Cuba (11 million) lives in the City of Havana. (Marchex, Inc.)

Cuba's proximity to the United States has been a major factor in its history. As the colonization of mainland America developed, Cuba's sugar and tobacco industry found a ready market for its goods. Later, as the power and influence of the United States grew Cuba became a political volleyball as the governments of the United States and Spain argued over the fate of the island. This proximity effect remains important as the United States remains a destination for Cubans disenchanted with the political situation in Cuba.

The tropical nature of Cuba's climate has caused it to be dependent on two major industries. Historically, the island has been a source of sugar cane and tobacco. The climate was conducive to the production of these two products and the availability of slave labor made it possible for the labor intensive products to be economically marketed. The second major industry for Cuba has been tourism. Although political considerations have removed Cuba from being a vacation destination for Americans, the presence of 300 Cuban beaches causes tourists from Europe, Canada and other parts of the Americas to flock toward Cuba. (Hunt)

Culturally, Cuba has been influenced primarily by the mixture of Spanish and African immigrants. In music, art and cuisine there are remnants of both immigration groups. Music with a heavy dependence on the strong beat of drums is borrowed from the African influence and is combined with the guitar influence of Spain. The result is a unique style that has been imported throughout the rest of the world. (Aviva Chomsky)

In the area of cuisine, the influence of Spain colonization is easily noticed but the fact that Cuba is an island has also impacted greatly as has the fact that most of Cuba's residents have lived humbly for a great part of the island's history. As a result, the cuisine is heavily dependent on heavily spiced dishes accented by inclusion of easily accessible seafood. Due to the fact that the population of Cuba has been largely impoverished rice and beans have been a major part of most Cuban meals.

An interesting development in the history of Cuban cuisine has been the difference between the diets of Cubans living in the easterly regions of the island and those in the west living in and around Havana. In the east the cuisine is more heavily influenced by the Spanish and African cultures while the cuisine the west in and around Havana is far more continental due to the presence of outside influences from and around other European cultures.

Sports are an important part of the Cuban culture. Baseball, boxing and soccer enjoy wide popularity and are almost a passion for many Cubans. Again, Cuba's proximity to the United States has played a major part in the popularity of both baseball and boxing. Soccer's popularity developed as a result of the relative inexpensive nature of participation and the heavy influence of the Hispanic culture throughout Cuba.

Religion in Cuba is unique. Due to historical developments and geographical factors, the influence of the Catholic Church has not been as strong in Cuba as it is in other Latin American countries. Due to its long colonial history, strong resentment against Spain and anything Spain is prevalent among native Cubans. For many Cubans the Catholic Church was identified with Spain and so, although the Catholic influence is still present, many Cubans began practicing a form of religion based on a mixture of Catholic doctrine and African tribal influences. As so often happens in Cuba, this religious form known as Santeria is practiced more prevalently in the eastern region of Cuba while traditional Catholicism and some forms of Protestantism are more popular in the west.