Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1914-12-24
How Cubans Celebrate
Christmas.
.UBANs celebrate Christmas, but
not ~ TIE SAlne munnef thaL
Americans 90. Santn Clhus Is


are no chlmneys by which he could en-
ter houses, and there Is no snow on
which his sleigh can glide so the lit
tie Cubans do not hang up their stock
ings in expectation OF gifts.
The Cubans give presents in cOnnec.
ton with the Christmas celebration.
but this is done ON Jan. q. "El Die de
los Reyes" The day of the Kings Cuba
celebrates the visit Of the three wise
men, BalthaZar, Melchior and Gaspar-
TO the infant Jesus with their offerings
of gold. frankincense and myrrh. This
is the annual love gift day. when the
Cdbans give their children and dear
ores beautiful presents III our bounti
ful Christmas manner.
In Cuba you don't ask child. What
do you want Santa Claus 10 bring
your 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
RTdCSO 10y IOuA
of the large families In gay attire.
The Christmas eve supper Is the
great yearly family feast In which the
elder generation gives a blessing to the
young somewhat akin to that Of the
old patriarchs. The long festal board
is spread in the great dining room. the
high ceiling and walls OF which are
covered with festoons and floral deco
ratiOnS The tabie Is also adorned with
Cuba's many fruits. fragrant flowers.
tall paraffn cOlOred candles and
mOnstrous golden cornucOpia filled with
delicious Cuban sweets. No big roast
Christmas turkey is seen. but instead
a plump, juicy, gayly bedecked roast
pig 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 jesta E.IGS Il the eating OF
1t. The choicest vintages of Spain are
served in abundance. and the air Is
fragrant with tobacco smoke.
The Christmas eve dinner of SeveraI
hours concludes with the thick black
Spanish chocolate and various liqueurs
made In Cuba. AT midnight the cock
crow mass concentrating our Saw
tours birth Is announced by the ring
ing Of the great bronze bells in Ha-
vana's many churches. Blares of Shriu
trumpets. guitar serenades ia the
streets and joyous singing of many
Christmas carols accompany the theu-
sands OF wUrshIPprS 10 the ceremony.
In Havana tins mass is largely at
tended by the deVOut, ami 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 Cubaa
churches. The worshipers kneel on the
marble 6OOr or on cushions brought
Tor the purpose. There is perfect de-
mCcracy in the service. Rich and pOsr
alike share In the mass.
The Christmas afternoon is devoted
TO many outdoor games Hatless, coa&
less. shoeless. the Young Cu5ans play
along the coral ocean shores and great
palm tree avenues The goat iS the
children's favOrite animal. and be -
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 SPANS many
old sacred airs. The bandnrrias and
guarachas. much like our banjo ditties.
are pleasing Accomplishments,
The Wealthier 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 DE
guests The grandparents have their
several genera tiOnS of children ana re-
new the old Deninsular ChristmaStlde
customs.
A sumptuous evening dinner is fol-
lowed by the auguOrons Spanish dan
"a. An aristOcratic old don will lead
the papalote. which is similar to our
old fishers hOrnpipe. He is followed
by the young Senors and senOritas.
often in gay Spanish court costumes.
Throughout the smaller towns of Gu
ba's provinces the poorer classes dur
ing the Christmas week hang on the
front walls of their humble homes
large basket. The passerby is cordial
IN greeted from the door and windows
of the shack or PEASANTS more preten
tious home with Il most cordial May
God bless you and yours for ever and
ever" In return the recipients of the
benedictiGn put small coins, Christmas
fruits and delicacies and religious or