Miami – There is no single adjective to describe the colorful practices of Cubans. In this age, there are new and more diverse collections of stories, historical events, and beliefs associated with this rich ethnicity, shaped by widespread immigration, developments, and influences.
By contrast, there are the Cuban Americans, who are the third largest Latino group in the United States. How do they trace their ancestry back to Cuba? Are the communities the same?
Immigration
Cuba is an island located on the northern rim of the Caribbean Sea. This is the largest of the Greater Antilles islands. If one is to look into the ancestry of this ethnic group, one must have an open mind to the various colonial events of the past.
The Cubans are descendants of Spanish colonizers and of African slaves. Their communities have initially centered on the sugar industry. With the continuous practice of slavery throughout that period, the Cubans have followed a distinct religious affiliation and tradition. Santeria, for instance, grew out of the slave trade in the country. It is an Afro-Caribbean syncretic religion also known as La Regla Lucumi and the Rule of Osha.
Even during the Spanish colonial period, Cubans have started moving to the United States. This began with the establishment of St. Augustine, Florida by Pedro Menéndez de Avilés in 1565. Hundreds of Spanish-Cuban soldiers and their families moved into the new city from the country.
From Florida, thousands of Cuban settlers also migrated to Louisiana and Texas in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The migration did not end there. The settlers continued to increase in population and spread to New York City, New Orleans, and in Key West. The Cubans, however, who immigrated to the country were initially Cuba’s residents affiliated with the former dictator Fulgencio Batista and were then followed by other professionals.
Modern Cuban Americans
The United States has welcomed immigrants for decades. From the communist history of Cuba to the collective influences of the US, the Latinos have grown in number, as well as in their current residences. The Cuban Americans have now integrated with the country’s system of government, culture, and beliefs. However, traditional practices and communal connections remain, as well as abundant familial ties that kept the colorful Cuban ethnicity alive within the young generations.
The new communities still have remarkable ties with their nuclear and extended families. However, in terms of demographics, many Cuban Americans identify themselves as being White, mostly Spanish. Immigration, various influences, and cultural diversity have created more complex labels: Cuban, American, Hispanic, or Latino. Now, the pressing questions for the young ones: “How do we describe ourselves?”
Despite this concern, Cuban Americans have successfully established businesses and developed political clout in different US states. They have also contributed and participated in the country’s academia, literature, and many other distinct institutions. They are a unique representation of the developing global connections and ethnic diversity within the US. Nevertheless, there is a need to look back into the root of their ethnicity to find a common ground that truly showcases the features, traditions, and culture of Cuban Americans.
