The river press., 1914-12-16
How CubanS Celebrate
Christmas.

u Americans do Snnt;, Claus is
unknown in Havana. There
are no chimneys by which he could en-
ter houses and there is no snow on
which his sleigh can glide. So the 1t
tie Cubans do not hang up their stock
ings in expectation of gifts.
The CubanS give presents in connec.
ton with the Christmas celebrations
but this is done on Jan. 6. "El Dia de
los Reyes" The day OF the kings Cuba
celebrates the visit of the three wise
men- Balthazar Melchior and Gaspur-
to the infant Jesus with their offerings
of gold. frankincense and myrrh. Thi,
is the annual love gift day. when the
Cubars give their children and dear
ones beautiful presents in our bounti-
full Christmas manner
In Cuba you don't ask IA child "What
do you want Santa Claus to brin.
you?" but. "What are the wise men Of
the east going to give you?"
| Instead Of our Christmas day dinner
the Cubans have great family re-
union. the Christmas eve supper. called
the ''cena de noche buena." or Supper
of the good night" The long table is
graced by three and four generations
OF the large families in gay attire.
Ihe Christmas eve supper is the
great yearly family feast in which the
elder generation gives blessing to the
young somewhat akin to that Of the
old patrarchs. The long festa board
is spread in the great dining room, the
high ceiling and walls OF which are
covered with festoonS and floral deco
rations. The table is also adorned with
+, Cubas many fruits. fragrant flowers.
tall parattin colored candles and a
monstrous golden cornucopia filled with
delicious Cuban sweets. no big roast
Christmas turkey is seen. but instead
a plump. juicy. gayly bedecked roast
rig is the tables centerpiece.
famous accompanying dish is the
great pyramid OF boiled white rice and
black beans. or "Moros Y Cristianos,"
as the Cubans dub it in remembrance
of the wars between the Moors and
Christians in old Spain. This delicacy
Is much relished. and many are the
ancestral jests made in the eating OF
it. The choicest vintages OF Spain are
served in abundance. and the air is
fragrant with tobacco smoke
The Christmas eve dinner OF several
hours concludes with the thick black
Spanish chocolate and various liqueur>
made in Cuba. At midnight the cock
crow mass commemorating our Saw
iOurs birth is announced by the ring.
ing Of the great bronze bells in Ha
vana's many churches. Blares of shril
trumpets. guitar serenades in the
streets and joyous singing of many
Christmas carols accompany the thou
sands OF worshipers to the ceremony.
In Havana this mass is largely at
tended by the devOut. and the narrow
streets leading to the cathedral and
other churches are crowded by the
worshipers. The church services are
most impressive. Large bodies OF we'll
trained voices beautify the mass
There are no pews in the Cuban
churches. The worshipers kneel on the
marble floor or ON cushions brought /
for the purpose. There is perfect de. |
mocracy in the service Rich and poor
alike share in the mass.
The Christmas afternoon is devoted |
to many outdoor games. Hatless. coat. |
less. shoeleSs. the young Cubans play !
along the coral ocean shores and great ,
palm tree avenues The goat is the !
chiIdren's favOrite animal. and be is |
kept busy on Christmas day drawing |
the youngsters throughout all the
parks.
The Spaniards in Cuba retain some
old customs OF their native land. The
swarthy senors form rings Of dancers
in public plazas and sing Spain's many
old sacred airs, The bandurrias ANA
Snarachas. much like our banjo dittieS
are pleasing accOmpanimentS
The wralthier Spanish and Cuban !
families spend Christmas week at /
their stately homes on the vast sugar
plantations IN Santa Clara. Puerto .
Principe and other provinces. They /
gather about them merry house par
ties, which continue until the New
Years Their hospitality is generous
and Americans are fortunate to be
guests. The grandparents have their
several generations Of children ami re-
new he old peMinsular Chri~tmaStid,
customs.
y Snmptuous evening dinner is fol
lowed 10y the Ianguorous Spanish dan
ga. An aristocratic old don will lead +
the papalote, which is similar to our
Old fishers hornpipe. He is followed I
by the young SenOrS ana SenortaS.
often in gay Spanish court costumes.
Throughout the smaller towns Of Gu
ba provinces the poorer classes dur
Ing the Christmas week hang on the
front walls of their humble homes a
large basket. The passerby is cordial.
~ greeted from the door and windows
OF the shack or peasants more preten
tious home with a most cordial MAY
God bless you and yours for ever and
ever. n return the rpcipiputS Of the