The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1914-12-17
How CubanS Celebrate
Christmas.


~rBANS celebrate Christmas, but
not IN The same manner tilill
Americans do. Santa Claus Is
unknown in Havana There
are no chimneys by which he could en-
ter houses and there is no snow Oh
which his sleigh can glide. So the III
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 lha De
los Reyes The day Of the Kings tuba
celebrates the visit of the three wise
men-Balthazar. Mclchior and Gaspar
to the infant Jesus with their offerings
of gold. frankincense aud nyrrh ms
is the annual love gift day, when the
Cubans give their children and dear
ones beautiful presents in our bonlli-
full Christmas manner.
In Cuba you don't ask Il child What
do you want Santa Claus 10 bring
YOU Duls W nat tilN 'hN " - '''''' -
the east going 10 give yout
Instead Of our Christmas day dinner,
the Cubans have Il great family re-
union. the Christmas, eve SUPPER. called
the "cena de roche 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 Il blessing to the
young somewhat akin 20 that of the
old patriarchS The long fcsial board
is spread In the great dining room the
high ceiling and walls Of which are
covered with festoOns and floral deco
ratons. The table is also adorned with
Cubas many fruits. fragrant flowers.
tall parafiin col0red candles and "a
monstrous golden cornucopia filed with
delicious Cuban sweets No big roast
Christmas turkey is seen, but Instead
plump. juicy. gayly bedecked roast
pig is the tables centerpiccc.
A famous accompanying dish Is the
great pyramid Of boiled white rice and
black beans. or "AlorOs y Cristanos.
as the Cubans dub 1t in remembrance
OF the wars between the Moors and
Christians in old Spain. This delicacy
is much relished. and many are the
ancestral iests 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 liqnenrs
made in Cuba. At midnight the cock
crow mass COMMUNICATING our Say
iours 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 dev0ut, 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 10 pews in the Cuban
churches. The worshipers kneel Oh 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 IL the
cbiIdren's favorite animal, and he is
kept busy on Christmas day drawing
the youngsters throughout al 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 bandurrias and
guarachas, much like our banjo ditties
are pleasing accompaniment.
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 il generous
and Americans are fortunate to be
guests. The grandparents have their
several generations OF children and re-