Visit Cuba now!
Cuba is a country well-known for its Afro-Latinx culture, religion, music, architecture, and cigars! Its long and complex history with Europe and the Americas makes it a unique destination to visit, and its natural sights doesn’t neglect to remind you of your position in the Caribbean!
Cuba was “discovered” in 1492 by Christopher Columbus, but, it wasn’t until 1511 that Cuba was conquered by Diego de Velázquez of Spain and the indigenous inhabitants of the land were colonized. According to archaeological records, Cuba’s first inhabitants were the Ciboney; an Amerindian peoples thought to originate in South America and who island hopped along the West Indies. During the Spanish conquest, however, Cuba was mainly populated by what the Conquistadors called the Taino. The Taino people were part of the more commonly known group of Amerindians called the Arawak, or, ‘Aruacos.’ The Aruacos tribes are thought to have originated in northern South America and the West Indies and belonged to the Tupi-Guarani language family. As the conquest took place, the native population decreased greatly and the indigenous tribes that remained (mixed with Spanish colonizers and African slaves) were enslaved and put to work.
Although the first record of slavery in Cuba dates back to 1513, between 1517-1726 more kidnapped Africans arrived in Cuba from parts of West Africa; Nigeria in particular. It has been recorded that over double the amount of Africans brought to North America during the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, were brought to Cuba, and the current statistics show that around 62% of the populace in Cuba consider themselves Black or Mulatto.
“Seen as a threat to the country’s identity, Afro-Cuban artistic and religious expression was shunned and labeled as cosa de negros, or “something Blacks do.” Decrees were issued placing restrictions on drumming, and ñáñigos—members of secret ritual societies—were targeted by colonial police.” In the early 1890’s, Santería worship was prohibited on the islands due to false accusations of kidnapping and killing White children for rituals. It wasn’t until the 1920’s that Blackness was no longer prohibited and finally recognized as an integral part of the Cuban identity.
Santería, or the way of the Saints, is an Afro-Cuban religion with origins in the Yoruba religion of Nigeria. In Cuba, however, it has many correlations with Christianity and many times the Saints and Orishas are often portrayed as the same individual. It is a religion that has become a way of life and many Cubans practice in one way or another, some claiming to be a follower of both Christianity and Santería.
What many people notice about Cuba, is not only the depth of skin complexions, but also of the unique architecture and technology. Cuba’s extensive history with the US and Soviet Union had caused many difficulties throughout the land. From political to economical to sociological, Cuba has one of the most unique histories in the world. The collapse of the Soviet Union the early 90s in Cuba gave way to a phase called “El Periodo Especial”, or, “The Special Period;” a time when foreign imports, constructions, technology and other operations came to almost a complete halt in the country. Today, the seemingly crumbling buildings and restored American cars are a reminder of this time in history, and a major part of Cuba’s tourism industry.
If you’re looking for a destination that has it all – beaches, culture and history – Cuba checks off every box on the list. This Latin-Caribbean country is a popular pick among Black travelers for its culture and is filled with so much to do and see that one trip is never enough.
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