CULTURE OF PUERTO RICO: TRADITIONS, CUSTOMS, GASTRONOMY, RELIGION - CULTURE VOCABULARY

The culture of Puerto Rico is the result of the mixture of different cultures of the world that throughout history have converged in the region. The Spanish and the Africans were the first traces of new customs and traditions that would be adopted in the territory and that joined those that were already on the island at the hands of the Taino Indians.

Subsequently, with the nexus to the United States over the territory, the society has also adopted multiple forms of American culture. Today this region is officially known as the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, due to its link with the United States. Since 1898, the island began to be owned by the North American country and was governed from Washington.

Flag of Puerto Rico

Own work of User: Madden

Beginning in 1917, Puerto Ricans are being granted US citizenship until today. In 1948 a law was approved that would allow the inhabitants of the island to choose their own governor, since previously this decision was in charge of the United States government.

On the other hand, Puerto Rico also has its own constitution, which came into effect in 1952 and in this way the form of the Commonwealth is constituted.

As far as languages are concerned, both English and Spanish are common on the island, although the latter predominates over any other. Bilingualism is also frequent. Language is an important element for the identity of Puerto Ricans, although at various times an attempt has been made to reduce or replace the use of Spanish with English by the United States.

In terms of daily life, Puerto Rico is known as a warm, musical and colorful place. The festivities abound within their traditions and many of them are legacies of the Catholic religion.

Traditions

San Sebastián Street Festivities

It is a celebration that takes place on the third weekend of January, mainly on Calle San Sebastián, in the historic area of the capital Old San Juan. The festivity lasts approximately four days and is the way in which the Puerto Ricans of the place end the Christmas season. During these days the traditions of Puerto Rico are enhanced with art and craft stalls, live music and cultural events.

Initially, there is a procession to the church of San Juan Bautista with the saint, accompanied by music and with the presence of the "big heads", people disguised with large masks that represent folkloric figures such as the Catholic kings or Juan Bobo, Toribio, The General and Diplo. The cabezudos arise from a reference to a festive tradition in Spain, known as "the comparsa de los cabezudos".

Saint Sebastian was an official of the Roman Emperor Maximinus in the 3rd century. He was sentenced to death for not giving up his faith. The Calle den Sebastián festival has approximately forty years of history.

The celebration initially began in the 1950s as part of an initiative by Father Madrazo, priest of the San José parish, who wanted to hold a fundraising activity. The parties were held until he was transferred to another location.

However, they were retaken during the 1970s thanks to the initiative of one of the street residents, Rafaela Balladares, together with the director of the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, Ricardo Alegría.

Hatillo Mask Festival

It is celebrated every December 28 in the town of Hatillo, located in the northern region of the coast of Puerto Rico. The tradition dates back to the times close to the founding of the town, approximately in the year 1820. It is a festival in which the events that happened around the Holy Innocents are commemorated.

The story comes from a biblical passage in which it is narrated how King Herod ordered his soldiers to murder every male under the age of three who was in the kingdom, in order to take the life of the baby Jesus. This tradition is said to have been brought to the island by immigrants from the Canary Islands.

During the festival, people dress up with colorful masks and costumes using mostly red, green and yellow, representing these soldiers. The masks are made by the same inhabitants of the place with simple materials. Among the dynamics, a parade is organized that often encompasses neighboring towns.

From very early on, many of those who pretend to be soldiers walk around the houses looking for children. Then everyone comes together through music and food. A long procession takes place and ends right in the downtown area of the town of Hatillo.

Kings Day

During January 6, Puerto Rico celebrates the Three Kings Day, in which the Epiphany day is commemorated, the historic scene of the Three Wise Men who visited the child Jesus from the east, guided by the Star of Bethlehem.

This tradition of European origin comes to Puerto Rico after the Spanish conquest in 1492, when the territory was known as Borinquen. Later, from the end of the 19th century and with the North American influence, other traditions such as Santa Claus were adopted. However, even with the passage of time, the tradition of the Kings continues and is one of the most representative.

On the eve of Epiphany day, January 5, the children prepare for the gifts that according to the island's tradition, the Kings bring the children the next day. This is how the little ones collect grass, or vegetation inside a box, for the camels of the Magi and place them under their beds, with a wish list and sometimes a glass of water.

The following day the children wake up with their corresponding gifts and throughout the day there are meals and family gatherings. As it is a day dedicated to home activities, there is not much commercial activity on the streets.

It should be noted that the Three Wise Men are a representative symbol of the culture of Puerto Rico, so it is common to see these three characters represented in different ways, whether in paintings, murals, crafts and more.

The Night of San Juan

It is one of the most representative nights since the birth of San Juan, patron saint of the island's capital, is celebrated. It is celebrated during June 23, the date on which people gather on the shores to share and celebrate between food, dances and lots of music.

The main popular beaches are those that surround the city of San Juan. One of the best known traditions of this event is the ritual of diving backwards into the sea at midnight. People perform this dynamic with the belief that in this way they leave behind everything negative.

One of the main rules of this ritual is that the number of times people dive should be an odd number. Traditionally they are three submerged.

Saint John is the only Catholic saint who is commemorated on the date of his birth instead of his death. On the other hand, his figure is related to water since the biblical tradition tells that it was he who baptized Jesus.

National Indigenous Festival

It is one of the most representative folk events. It is dedicated to the culture of the Taino Indians. Various activities are carried out such as the "batey", a traditional ball game and typical costumes are also exhibited.

This festival comes to life in the city of Jayuya during the weekend closest to November 19 and currently has 50 celebrations. During these days there are various musical events, a lot of typical food and a variety of artisan artists exhibiting their creations.

Costumes of Taino Indians, community of pre-Columbian natives of the island of Puerto Rico

JazzManJr / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

It is customary to start the festival with the lighting of the Taino fire behind the bust of the chief Hayuya, who was the leader of the Jayuya territory in the times surrounding the arrival of the Spanish to America.

Custom

Long Christmas

In Puerto Rico, Christmas times are usually known as the longest in the world. The mixture of indigenous traditions and cultures inherited from other regions such as Europe and the United States have caused multiple festivities to be grouped from late November to the weekend of the third week of January.

This is how the beginning of the Christmas season can be marked by the celebration of Thanksgiving in November and ending the weekend of the third week of January with the San Sebastián Street party.

Parrandas

They are known as the Puerto Rican version of Christmas carols and are Christmas songs inspired by Christmas bonuses. The main instruments for its representation are the guitar, the cuatro, the maracas and the güiros.

The parrandas carry out what is known as a “Christmas assault”, a dynamic where musicians or partiers gather and go from door to door, surprising homes with music and a festive atmosphere. In this way they accumulate a group of people who join visit after visit. This activity usually begins at night and ends around dawn and takes place on Christmas days.

Christmas bonuses

They are the traditional masses that are usually held during the nine days prior to the celebration of the birth of the baby Jesus. Around all of Puerto Rico the different churches perform what they call "novenario". This custom comes from Spain and was adopted by America around the 16th century.

Rum as a traditional drink

Rum is one of the most emblematic drinks in Puerto Rico, a region that has a long tradition in the production of this distilled product. At present it is one of the most consumed in this region along with beer.

Puerto Rico has been a producer of rum since approximately the 16th century and today it is one of the most important in the world. It is estimated that 70% of the rum consumed in the United States comes from the island.

Using a fan at weddings

One of the customs regarding marital unions is for the bride to carry a fan next to the bouquet. It is a tradition that has approximately two centuries of history. An element that in the past was frequently used by the women of the island and that has been preserved over time for these ceremonial occasions.

Gastronomy

Mofongo

It is one of the most popular typical dishes in Puerto Rico. It consists of green bananas mashed with vegetable oil, garlic, salt and sometimes pork rinds are added. They are fried and then served with meat, chicken or seafood.

It is said that the recipe may have its origin in the African “fufu”, a recipe that arrived in America with the colonizers and the black slaves. The latter boiled tubers and after crushing them they turned them into dough balls that they ate as an accompaniment to meat. The recipe was modified over time and also the sofrito, a sauce of Spanish origin, was added.

Mamposteao rice

It is a kind of rice that is prepared with stewed beans, onion, peppers and spices. Bacon is also added and served as a side for chicken, steak, or pork.

Alcapurria

Another very popular dish in Puerto Rico, made with yucca, green plantain and yautía, which are prepared as a dough and filled with pork or meat and then fried. They can be cooked fresh or previously frozen. They are typical of the kiosks near the coast and are part of the little knives of Puerto Rico, that is, of those recipes that contain pork stews.

Rice with gandules

One of the most iconic dishes on the island of Puerto Rico is arroz con gandules. It is prepared with sofrito, pieces of pork and green pigeon peas. Rice is prepared in conjunction with these ingredients. This recipe is common in everyday life, however it is well known for being part of the festivities.

wobbly

It is a very popular dessert in Puerto Rico and the world. It is a pudding made with coconut milk, cornstarch, salt, cinnamon and sugar. Some traditional additives include cloves, walnuts, or vanilla. Sometimes other touches of flavor are added such as rum, coconut cream, syrups or mint leaves.

Music

The music of Puerto Rico has a great influence from all the countries that have been part of the history of its development since the arrival of Europeans to America. This is how rhythms and even instruments from the Spanish and Africans are adopted, although today the island's music industry is strongly influenced by the United States.

The characteristic rhythms of Latin America are the most predominant, among which salsa, merengue and reggeaton stand out. Pop has also been one of the main genres developed.

Despite this, there are other folkloric styles such as the Plena, widely used at Christmas time and the Bomba, a genre whose main instrument is the drum and which is also linked to dance, being one of the best known and popular African musical inheritances within Puerto Rico.

As for the most traditional musical instruments are the guitar, the cuatro, the maracas, the drums, the triple, the requinto and some of Taino origin such as the güiro.

Religion

Puerto Rico is a place that allows freedom of worship within its territory. The two predominant religions are Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. The former is represented by the majority of the population, while the latter occupies a minority part. Other religious groups such as Jews, Adventists and Mormons also coexist on the island.

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CULTURE OF PUERTO RICO: TRADITIONS, CUSTOMS, GASTRONOMY, RELIGION - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2024