For Cubans, Christmas is a time to celebrate with families for the bond that they developed over time and the culture that ties them up. But there is trouble in the story of Cuban Christmas. Families found ways to keep the holiday spirit living for decades even though the music stopped. Today, Cuban Christmas is growing again, combining faith, food, and fun to make a truly Cuban holiday season.
A Holiday That Was Once Banned
In 1969, Christmas was taken off of Cuba’s official calendar. To put the sugar crop first, the government made December 25th a normal workday. For almost 30 years, churches stayed open, but there weren’t many holiday parties. People could still get together in peace, but Santa Claus, trees, and manger scenes were less common.
Bringing Back the Holiday Spirit
This ban held until 1997, when Pope John Paul II said he would be going there. In order to get ready, Fidel Castro made Christmas a national holiday again, which made the Cuban people happy again after 29 years.
Christmas for Cuban People of All Ages
Christmas is a time to remember history and culture for Cubans both at home and abroad. Now is the time to get together, share, and keep cultural traditions living. Cuban Christmas customs are too strong to die out, even after decades of silence. Identity and strength reflect this kind of Cuban celebration.
End Notes
During Christmas, Cuban people feel an unbreakable spirit of joy with their family. They can make this season even merrier by sharing lechón at a family table in Havana while tossing that glass of Crema de Vie in Miami.
How about you? What kind of Cuban Christmas does your family host? Do you cook a pig, make tamales, or get together for Mass at midnight? We’d love to share your traditions if you tell us your story.