The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-12-24
How Cubans Celebrate
Christmas.

@UBANs celebrate Christmas. but
not in the same manner that
Americans do. Santa Claus Is
unknown in Havana. There
are no chimneys by which he could en-,
ter houses. and there fis no snow on
which his sleigh can glide SO the lit.
tie Cubans do not hang ZIP their stock
ings in expectation OF gifts.
The Cubans give presents in connec:
ton with the Christmas celebration.
but this is done on Jan. 6, "El Da de
los Reyes" The day Of the kings Cuba
celebrates the visit Of the three wise
men Balthazar. Mechior and Gaspnr-
to the infant Jesus with their offerings
of gold, fr,inkincense and myrrh. This
is the annual love gift day. when the
Cubans give their children and dear
ones beautiful presents in our bounti
full Christmas manner.
In Cuba you don't ask child. What
do you want Santa Claus to bring
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.
The 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 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 table is also adorned with
Cuba's many fruits. fragrant flowers.
tall paraffln colored candles and a
monstrous golden cornuc0pia filled with
delicious Cuban sweets. No big roast
Christmas turkey Is seen, but instead
plump, juicy. gayly bedecked roast
pig Is the tables centerptece.
A 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 M00rs 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 liqueurs
made in Cuba. At midnight the cock
crow mass commemorating our Saw
tours birth is announced by the ring
ing of the great bronze bells in Ha
vana's many churches. Blares of shrill
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 well
trained voices beautify the mass
There are no pewsN in the Cuban
churches. The worshipers kneeI on the
marble floor or on cushions brought
for the purpose There Is perfect de.
mocracy in the service. Richsand 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
chil,lren's favorite animal. and he Is
kept busy on Christmas day drawing
tie youngsters throughout all the
parks.
The Spaniards in Cuba retain some
old customs of their native land. The
swartby senors form rings Of dancers
in public plazas and sing Spain's many
old sacred airs. The bandurrias and
gnarachas. much like our banjo ditties
are pleasing Accomplishments.
The weather. 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 genera tons Of children and re-
new the old peninsular Christmastide
customs.
"A sumptuous evening dinner is fol
lowed by the dangerous 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 a
large basket. The passerby is cordial
" greeted from the door and windows
Of the shack or PEASANTS more preten-
y rr,1kb, most tNnNf3f01 tS1f0V