Cuban Christmas with Noche Buena was a time for the little doll-like sets to make their appearance and I reveled in them all season […], […] since I served this Cuban salad recipe with Red Pepper & Lemon Vinaigrette at our Noche Buena this year, it’s been a regular at our dinner table. I’m telling you… my nose is barely above water these days! Christmas Eve remains overshadowed among Cubans by the New Years’ celebration – which happens to coincide with the day of the 1959 revolution – although many Cubans get together with their families for dinner on the night before Christmas. Yuck!} Glenn Lindgren: Noche Buena means Good Night. Watching the magic of Christmas come alive at the North Pole Experience this year was amazing. Christmas in Cuba is one of the most joyous occasions in the country and observed with great fun and festivity. Looking to go travelling in the new year? Chritsmas Eve is Cuban Christmas, and Cuban Christmas is Noche Buena… and Noche Buena is allll about the food. I guess in terms of presents, traditions and food, I was a lucky kid to celebrate both Noche Buena and Christmas morning with my families. I suck. The skin of the pig is a delicacy and there is nothing as disturbing as some "stubble" to ruin the experience. What are Christmas traditions in Cuba? But at least she got a picture of the picture of her Santa visit from last year! One traditional Cuban garment is in widespread use on the island, though. Education and financial independence of women in Cuba was promoted by the Revolution which helped women to attain thriving careers in agriculture, industry, and service related occupations. Cuban Christmas Tree. That’s so sweet of you, Danielle. Focus was not paid to rushing off to bed, with Christmas pajamas, waiting for Santa’s arrival. And because my maternal grandparents had a huge impact on my youth, I have so many memories of celebrating Noche Buena in their home. Lechon Asado (also, here is my Slow Cooker Lechon Asado recipe), arroz y frijoles negro (Cuban Black Beans), platanito fritos, tostones, croquettas, other meats, drinks and ending with an amazing flan or Cuban Chocolate Cake. Anywho, what rings true is that Puerto Rico and Cuba are so similar in culture, heritage, and pride. When it comes to Cuban Christmas traditions, everything is about friends, family and lots of food. We fell back on one another for our expressions of love, support and identity, and quickly developed our own fusion of how we see and take part in Christmas. My Mom’s side of the family is Cuban and celebrated what we call Noche Buena {or Nochebuena}, which is December 24th. As the mum of a multicultural (eurasian) expat family, uprooting three small kids and moving abroad for my husbands job meant we lived on a continent where we knew no one. By morning, the Florida room is fragrant and the pig has a happy smile on its face. I think this is perhaps the most under-discussed but highly influential aspects of bicultural holiday traditions: many Latino cultures don’t do the typical American Santa thing. Their music, food and beliefs reflect the European, African and Caribbean cultural mix that makes this island special. The feast starts late – around 9 or 10 – and continues until it’s time to open presents… at midnight. I think that’s pretty special. Vanessa what a beautiful post! I seriously didn’t really thought of Christmas as a religious holiday until I was in my late teens and it turned out after perestroika that a lot of people celebrate it that way , […] a little girl, I remember playing with the various nativity scene sets that my family owned. They have spent hours in the kitchen preparing the desserts before the big day: large bowls of cascos, orange, guava, and grapefruit shells in sweet, heavy syrup; and baskets of buñuelos, fried sweet dough that is a must for Christmas. December is a special month in Cuba as throughout the Western world. . The next year was less so, but still chaotic. With us, you can trust that our dedicated team have done their homework, so you can expect great resorts, hotels and rates. I do want some focus on my kids in their youth during the holidays. While they do not need to watch the roasting pig constantly, the men do need to be available nearby to prevent any flare-ups or other disasters. In Mexican tradition, Las Posadas (translated as lodging) re-enact the … Christmas in Cuba is unlike anything you’ll experience elsewhere – the people’s deep desire to project celebration juxtaposed with a government that hardly allows let it, let alone supports it. Pretty crazy, right? The history of Cuban Christmas is, therefore, pretty complicated. I’m not sure I ever 100% believed in Santa {other than when I was very young and can’t remember}. Noche Buena has distinct difference from American Christmas Eve traditions. Add to Cart. $22.62. Among more traditional Cuban homes, the table will be set with roast pork, turkey or chicken, as well as black beans and white rice (a dish known as “arroz … The women of the family have been working on this feast for days. I’ve never been more proud of my roots and Cuban heritage as I am today. I often say that the best part of Christmas for me is being Cuban. I could really relate to this. The Noche Buena feast sounds delicious!This was a great post, and I especially appreciate the mention of less emphasis on good and bad, but the importance of family and sharing in the giving and love. Cuban Christmas with Noche Buena was a time for the little doll-like sets to make their appearance and I reveled in them all season long. My mom’s home was full of Spanish Christmas music that enveloped the entirety of our Cuban Christmas traditions. The importance of the Church in daily life has shrunk in Cuba since the revolution, … For Cubans, it's all about family and friends, a time to celebrate life with good food, good music, and love. At this point in my legacy, my Christmas traditions became very bicultural. Christmas traditions in Cuba revolve around gathering large numbers of … Once cleaned and “cracked,” the hog is salted and baptized with a quart or more of mojo marinade and left to sit chilled the entire night in the “Florida room” with the air conditioner on HI, until the meat is infused with the garlic and citrus flavor of the mojo. This year, we saw ANNIE. The middle photo was from my great-great grandmother’s home (she lived until she was over 100 years old) and was a large display that sat underneath the Christmas tree. rning, Alina got all dressed up and we headed to my Aunt’s house. Cuba is such a complication. One interruption still observed by many: attending the “misa del gallo” or "Mass of the Rooster" at midnight. I can’t pay someone to do this service for me, but I could mention the name in my book credits–if I manage to get published and find someone knowledgeable to help me! So those were always a big part of the decor and photo memories, too. Not to mention the lack of extravagance due to the blockade. I did cheat a bit though. It’s a holiday tradition set from my years in Vegas and, since we celebrate Cuban Noche Buena anyway, it ends up being a great way to spend Christmas morning. Christmas in Cuba is far different than the U.S. version. Christmas was once a regular holiday in Cuba, as it is in many countries in the world. Cuban, Spanish, and Latin American food recipes, Miami/Little Havana Travel Guide, Miami Restaurant Guide, Hispanic Culture & Food, The Three Guys From Miami's Google+ Fan Page. Santa is secondary. The Cuban Revolution brought about a mighty change in Cuban society. Christmas isn’t about good behavior to earn presents – it’s about expressing love to family members. For many, the biggest celebration of the year takes place on this Christmas Eve night, still celebrated in the traditional way with a huge party, dozens of friends, an extended family, and the main attraction: a whole roasted pig. While the fundamental virtues of family and feast are paramount to most all Cuban families, the Christmas experience and their subsequent Cuban traditions vary depending on when you were born in relation to Castro’s rise to power and/or the year of immigration to the States (or elsewhere). Quickview. This year promises to be calm, more streamlined and with my mom – which is the best Christmas present I could even ask for. There are no real Christmas trees. There’s some controversy on who this quote belongs to). Vanessa, I am looking for someone who knows about Cuban history and culture during the years 1956-57 while the revolution was taking place. Mojito … From its history to their people, even ingrained into our Cuban culture, complexity should be its middle name. Christmas traditions. We had a simple Cuban salad, rice and black beans, and lechon asado. In Cuba, cigars are called puros or habanos . In our home, we do the Santa thing. A really beautiful post, Vanessa – thanks for sharing so much of yourself and your family, it really helped to get your point about the focus being family across. https://www.mybigfatcubanfamily.com/category/celebrate/cuban-christmas I am curious how Christmas was celebrated in Cuba under Castro, since for us in the Soviet Union it was rather “moved” to a New Year celebration, and Jesus was “stripped out”. And looking at how beautiful my mom is, and how happy she looks with her two kids by her side, makes me realize that I am living my best years – right this very moment. Taking a suitcase out for a spin. Since my step-mom had a giant impact on my upbringing, her influence is highly prevalent in my bicultural traditions and parenting… especially during the holidays. Cuban Coffee Starter Set. It is the night before Christmas, and all through the “towns” of Miami, in the hamlets of Hialeah, Sweetwater, Kendall, and Westchester, in backyards large and small, Cubans are carrying on the oldest and most cherished tradition of their homeland: the Noche Buena feast. Once mass is over, many people return to the parties to continue the celebration late into the night. I am writing a memoir for children of that time from the point of view of my 9-10 year old self, with the backdrop of Cuban culture and history. 5 Tips For Single Parents Raising Biracial Children. While you might find seasonal decor and activities at the tourist resorts and destinations, Christmas in Cuba is very much about family and food. Early in the month, people begin to get ready for the holidays. On the night before the big day, everyone helps clean and prepare pig. De Su Mama is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program. The first time I hosted Noche Buena in our new home, it was crazy doing it all by myself. Jorge Castillo: The Christmas celebrations in Cuba were very similar to those in the United States. More on that some other time , After dinner, Alina put on her Christmas jammies and opened a few presents. Cuban Coffee Sampler Pack. Because Christmas in Cuba was outlawed by the atheist Castro regime for nearly 30 years (1969-1997), there is actually an entire generation of Cubans that did not grow up celebrating Christmas and the traditions that accompany it (including Three Kings Day). Looking through old photos, remembering my great-grandmother (Margo) who took care of my brother and I after my parents divorced while my mom was at work made me cry. Last year we celebrated Christmas in Cuba and if you’re looking to do the same, please go with proper expectations. In this slow roasting process, the cardinal sin is allowing any coals to come to rest directly under the pig. Your such a thoughtful and endearing writer, and definitely an inspiration. Quickview. On this night, as on all others, there are two groups of people celebrating Noche Buena, the "party givers" and the "party goers.” Some people stay home and host these elaborate parties, while others make the rounds from house to house enjoying the celebrations and spreading holiday cheer. Life gets so busy, and its nice to have gatherings like these with the people you love. Once the ban on Christmas was lifted (by pressure from the Pope), Cubans on the island flocked to buy nativity scenes and decorations to celebrate the holiday legally and carry out their Cuban traditions. In the days before Christmas, these small “farms” fed a steady stream of customers who selected their pig “on the hoof” and then stood by as the "farmer" butchered and cleaned the chosen hog. Cuban people really love to celebrate and they know how to do it. December 24th is celebrated on Christmas Eve and the 31st or New Year’s Eve, In Cuban culture – and certainly, at my Mami’s house – holiday decor is a big deal. Add to Cart. “Decorations must be made of Cuban materials, with traditional Cuban scenes,” ruled Senora Antuña, “and Cuban Christmas cards must be … Noche Buena literally translates as good night, but refers to Christmas Eve. For Noche Buena, the pigs are large because appetites tend to be even larger. Saying Goodbye. I grew up only celebrating Noche Buena at a young age – Christmas day or Santa was never a big deal – until my parents divorced and my dad re-married my (American) step mom. They can best be described as a … Along with the pig, we had black beans, white rice, yuca con mojo (mojo is a type of marinade with garlic, onions, and sour orange), some salad and of course lots of Cuban bread. It's the Cuban answer to laid-back … Kids had to stay up, or at least be awake, at midnight if they wanted to open presents. You would need a jackhammer to dig a pit and then you would probably hit water after the first foot. Condensed … I love that Alina has learned that Noche Buena is just as important as Christmas – and that she is as excited for presents from mom and dad, as she is for the ones from Santa on Christmas morning. I love reading about different traditions. It doesn’t focus on the young kids, or what they necessarily think or their bedtimes or behavior for the preceding month to earn presents. The man of the house with the most experience, the grandfather or father, uses a hammer and a machete to crack the backbone, splaying the pig out like a butterfly. Cuban musicians have a distinctive take on this American musical tradition, and all month long local clubs devote themselves to putting on jazz … Unlike a Hawaiian luau, Miami Cubans do not dig a pit in the ground, cover the pig with wet banana leaves and hot rocks, and bury it. […] 10 – Cuban-American Christmas by Vanessa at […], […] Cuban Christmas Traditions, History and Noche Buena […]. For Latin American cultures, it is often the biggest feast for the Christmas season and is the annual Spanish tradition. Some … Many homes display Christmas trees. Just finished reading this, which was interesting–thanks for sharing, and went to Yahoo.com and one of your posts about Noche Buene was featured on the main page. December is the month of the famous Havana Jazz Festival. https://www.desumama.com/cuban-christmas-traditions-history-noche-buena Raúl Musibay: The roasted pig was always the main attraction. So don't let another Christmas … I even made my very first flan all by myself. I actually think the picture turned out pretty adorable, and I will incorporate into our photo memories somehow. I grew up celebrating Christmas with a mix of cultures and traditions. Christmas trees and decorations disappeared from public places and it stayed that way for almost … Soups | Side Dishes | Desserts | Index. If you are traveling to this country and want to know more about them in BandBcuba, Bed and Breakfast in Cuba, we will give you a tour of the most important ones. Add to Cart. Arroz con Leche – Cuban rice pudding is a traditional way to end a holiday meal on a sweet note. Great post! I called my grandmother (Mami) to put my dibs on that nativity set one day. At one time, there were several places that sold live hogs to the public, particularly along Krome Avenue on the extreme western edge of Miami. Buñuelos – These are Cuban pastries enjoyed at Christmastime. And watch videos demonstrating recipe prep and cooking techniques. Many traditional Cuban dishes have dark origins, and were dishes cooked by slaves for their masters. […], […] was at. Even when outlawed, the religious and secular Christmas holiday never really died out within the hearts of Cuban people living off and on the island. The quest for the perfect plantain, one that is completely green and devoid of any spots, can itself consume several hours. I lived with my family in Cuba then for about a year, went to school, learned Spanish, and had a number of adventures that many 9-10 year old American children have not had. It was still celebrated, but not in a major way. Lamest excuse of the year? Cuba has a large black and mixed-race population, and the many African cultural influences in Cuba are referred to as Afro-Cuban. For many Christmas is an exciting time to travel, which is the reason we have an excellent variety of vacation packages on offer, including ones to Cuba. Ya, pretty much. I have my memories (a child’s), my sisters’ memories (also children), family legends, and general information I have gained by research, but there is a crazy plethora of information out there on Cuba nowadays, and not all of it is consistent. Thank you! On our plane ride to Havana, passengers living in Florida had loaded up our plane with Christmas tree decorations, tinsel and lights, and any commodity to help their family on the island celebrate the season. It is truly the most beautiful and heart-warming celebration of the entire year. So they had to go. Christmas. And I am looking for someone familiar with Cuba who might be able to look at some of my material to check for accuracy. Hopeful in Havana: Happy Birthday 8 Year Old! Nochebuena (literally "the Good Night") is the Spanish word for Christmas Eve. Cuba’s Christmas celebration is changing as a reflection of a broader evolution for Cuba to animate its past and invent a future. Homes, shops, hotels, restaurants and other public or private entities are decorated with lights and Christmas … Since we have been so busy with closing on the new house, Alina didn’t get to see Santa this year. $28.26. The pig itself is sandwiched in a metal holder that keeps the pig above the heat of the coals, always banked into the four corners of the roaster. You can see the large set my grandmother owns, which she has used to decorate for Christmas since I was a baby (top right photo). By late afternoon, you can walk through any neighborhood in Miami and smell the wonderful aroma of roasting pork as the smoke drifts from dozens of backyards. The evening is meant to be all about family and food; a celebration of loved ones. {Sadly, its been take out or frozen meals thus far. As a […], […] wrote about our Cuban Christmas of Noche Buena traditions before, but truly, as a child wrapped up in the nostalgia of the season, nothing was […]. We do stockings, but this year also started a new tradition of the Noche Buena Survival Kit so that she stays up longer, allowing us to celebrate. By 1990, the ratio of men to women in the country’s health services was nearly equal. If only they weren’t just a couple times a year!