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Cuba's nearly 12 million people are mostly
Spanish and Africans who came to the island
over the past 500 years. About 60% of Cubans
consider themselves as white or descendants
of Spanish colonial settlers and other immigrants.
Around 10% of the population is black, 20%
mulatto (a mixture of European and African)
and 1% Chinese who were brought in as laborers
in the mid 1800s as the slave trade from
Africa disappeared. Most of the country's
Chinese population lives in Havana's Chinatown.
Cuba's Indian population was virtually
wiped out centuries ago, so the Spanish
imported 800,000 African slaves. The percentage
of blacks is much higher in eastern Cuba.
These figures may not be accurate since
Cuba is a 'melting pot'. The races have
so intermingled that it is impossible to
classify Cuba's population mixtures with
total accuracy.
Cubans seem to prefer the urban lifestyle.
Nearly 70% live in cities and towns with
a third living in Havana province and a
fifth in the city of Havana itself - around
2.2 million. Santiago has around 440,000
inhabitants, Camaguey 300,000, Holguín 240,000,
Guantánamo 208,000, and Santa Clara 200,000.
Other areas in descending order of inhabitants
are Bayamo, Cienfuegos, Pinar del Río, Las
Tunas, Matanzas, Manzanillo, Ciego de Avila
and Sanctí Spíritus.
All of Cuba's people brought with them
their traditions and culture, so present
Cuban traditions, music, dance and religion
show aspects of the different groups.
Most Cubans are Roman Catholics. There
are also a small number of Protestants and
a Jewish community of several thousand in
Havana who still express a sense of community
despite their dwindling numbers. Prior to
the revolution there were around 20,000
Jews in Cuba, most of whom sought refuge
during World War II. There is still a Kosher
butcher shop, a synagogue and a Hebrew Sunday
School for children in Havana.
Many of Cuba's blacks are followers of
various Afro-Cuban cults or religions similar
to the voodoo cult of Haiti. These cults
have their origins in Africa, were introduced
by African slaves and are a blend of elements
from Catholicism and African native traditions.
They are reflected in the country's literature,
poetry, dance songs and dramatic arts. Santería
is the most widespread of the Afro Cuban
religions.
One thing that sets Cubans apart from other
Caribbean peoples is their work ethic. Of
all Latin American people Cubans are by
far the hardest working and are known for
their business acumen and entrepreneurial
skills. However, the Cuban people are unique
in that they combine a strong work ethic
with the ability to enjoy themselves like
other Latinos.
As in most Latin American countries the
family is the center of most Cuban's lives.
Family ties are strong and much time is
spent with one's family. Since the revolution
women have made great strides. Now they
compose almost half of the work force with
many standing out in such fields as law
and medicine. Furthermore, husbands are
expected to do their share of household
duties.
Despite all of these advancements towards
sexual equality, Cuba is still a male dominated
society. Women have made great progress
in the workplace, but some are still often
relegated to doing most household tasks.
This is probably due to the deep rooted
institution of machismo found in all Latin
American countries. In case you don't know,
machismo is the belief in the natural superiority
of men in all fields of endeavor. It becomes
the obsession and constant preoccupation
of many Latin men to demonstrate they are
macho in a variety of ways.
There is no telling what lengths men will
go to in order to demonstrate their virility.
A man's virility is measured by the number
of seductions or conquistas he makes,
or his capacity to consume alcohol. Women
walking alone on the street are the target
of sexual comments and innuendos by men.
These piropos or flirtatious remarks
range from ordinary compliments about a
woman's beauty to obscene and often insulting
phrases. Among males virility is highly
esteemed and disparaging names are pinned
on homosexuals.
The greatest successes of the revolution
are in the fields of education and public
health. About 40% of Cuba's budget is currently
devoted to education and public health.
As we mentioned, Cubans are well educated
people. Education is compulsory up to the
12th grade and is free at all levels from
Pre School to university. Cubans enjoy learning.
About a third of the people attend some
type of classes regularly. Cuba's literacy
speaks for itself. Before the revolution
only about 75% of the people could read
or write with 25% being semiliterate. Today
most of the people are literate, with illiteracy
almost being eliminated. This accomplishment
alone speaks for Cuba's outstanding educational
system. The country now boasts around one
teacher for every forty inhabitants. There
are also 60 universities located all around
the country.
Despite the hardships of the U.S. embargo
Cubans are relatively well off when compared
people at the lower end of the economic
spectrum in other Latin American countries.
Because of this Cubans are considered to
be "The richest poor people in the
world."
Cubans are a healthy people with a life
expectancy of 75-one of the highest in Latin
America and as high as many developed countries.
The country also has the lowest infant mortality
rate in Latin America. There is approximately
1 doctor for every 400 people. In the year
2000 the World Health Organization ranked
Cuba's public health system as the 39th
best of almost 200 systems worldwide.
Cubans are generally gregarious, happy,
hospitable, like foreigners, outgoing, vivacious
and have a great sense of humor. Their many
cubanismos, or witty expressions,
and piropos reflect their sense of
humor. If you are lucky enough to understand
Spanish you can really enjoy listening to
Cubans interact with each other.
Cuba's vibrant culture is most typified
by their music. Perhaps in no other field
have Cubans excelled more than music. They
love to dance and play music ranging from
tropical to jazz. Most of Cuba's rich musical
heritage comes from its black population.
Afro-Cuban is a mixture of Spanish and African
music. The rumba, son, salsa,
guajira mambo, cha-cha-cha
and conga are all songs and dances
native to Cuba. All have enjoyed international
popularity at one time or another. There
are even special instruments of Cuban origin
invented to play this Afro-Cuban music,
such as the maracas.
Cubans love to party and dancing is an
integral part of most Cuban's lives. Sensual
music and dance are their preferred pleasures.
Music seems to fill the air wherever you
are in Cuba and it seems someone is always
playing music or dancing. Almost every celebration,
private or public, includes some type of
dancing. People can be seen dancing at carnivals,
fiestas and in local dance halls.
Cubans in general are fun-loving despite
the economic hardships they have had to
endure in recent times. Cuba is a sexually
permissive society. Sex seems to be the
favorite hobby of many Cubans. Promiscuity
is widespread as are extramarital affairs.
Sensuality seems to pervade the air and
is reflected in the country's music and
inviting piropos. Because most of
the people have to share homes and apartments,
privacy is rare. So, love hotels- special
places where people go to make love-are
flourishing. A Cuban friend once told us,
"The reason we enjoy sex so much is
because it is one of the few things we can
do for free here."
Besides music and dance Cubans enjoy sports
which play an important role in their lives.
Cuba's favorite sport is baseball. Cubans
are fanatical when it comes to this sport.
Even after the revolution it has still remained
popular. Many big league players have come
from Cuba. Cubans have also distinguished
themselves as world class athletes in boxing,
track and field and Olympic competition.
If you want a graphic picture of modern
Cuba's people and culture, read Tom Miller's
insightful book, Trading with the Enemy.
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