More Similar Than Different:
Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Cuba
by
Yesenia Espaillat
Afro-Caribbean History / Caribbean Politics,
Spring 2000
Introduction
Today many people from the Spanish Caribbean Islands see themselves as being
different from one another. Each group differentiates themselves from one another and many
even come to the conclusion that their group is above the other groups. In my paper I will
try to link Dominicans, Puerto Ricans and Cubans together by finding similarities among
them and by showing that the differences that do exist are not differences among the
people but more of the land and their government. The factors which I am going to focus on
are language, religion, food, sports, clothing, family life, interpersonal relations,
entertainment an recreation, education, cultural heritage, agriculture, living conditions,
employment, crafts and hobbies, holidays, folklore and last but not least government.
Language
One of the many aspects which the people of the Spanish Caribbean share is language. The
official language of Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Cuba is Spanish. While the
Spanish of the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Cuba is relatively close there are some
differences. For example in Dominican Republic the Spanish language is closer to Castilian
Spanish, more "classical" than in Puerto Rico or Cuba. In Puerto Rico
"Spanglish," a mix of Spanish and English, can sometimes be heard but is most
often spoken on the U.S. mainland. This is mostly due to the fact that Spanish and English
are both spoken in Puerto Rico but Spanish is predominant. Though the way in which the
Spanish language is spoken in these three different islands varies, the language is still
the same.
Food
Choice of food is another one of the many things which is shared by Dominican Republic,
Puerto Rico and Cuba. Though there is some variety in their dishes, most Caribbean dishes
are similar. For example, rice is a staple in the Spanish Caribbean. In the Dominican
Republic rice and beans (arroz con abichuelas) is a popular dish. It is nicknamed
"the flag" and is served with a variety of meats. In Puerto Rico rice with
pigeon peas "arroz con gandules" is their typical dish of choice. In Cuba
their rice is cooked together with black beans and is called "arroz congri".
The scrapings from the bottom of a pot of rice, would never make its way onto the plate
during an elegant meal but is often enjoyed by the cook in the privacy of the kitchen or
is shared in a typical family dinner. In the Dominican Republic this is called (con-con),
in Puerto Rico it is "pegao" and in Cuba it is known as "la
raspita".
Typical fruits in all three of these islands are avocados,
mangoes, guavas, mammeas and papayas. Sweet potatoes along with cassava are also common
elements of a traditional meal. Plantains though common throughout are especially popular
in Dominican Republic. In Puerto Rico and in Dominican Republic ripe fried plantains are
called "amarillas" green fried ones are called "tostones" and
when smashed are called "mangu". In Cuba the names are different but the
principal is the same. Plantains which when green are fried up as "tostones"
or "mariquitas" and when ripe as "maduros".
Baseball
When it comes to similarities there is one popular similarity which the Dominican
Republic, Puerto Rico, and Cuba are all known to have, their love of baseball. Treir love
for this sport is one of the many things which is shared by these three Spanish Caribbean
islands. The Dominican republics national sport is baseball. During major games thousands
of fans attend the games, which are usually held at one of Santo Domingo stadiums. The
United States currently has more Dominicans on its major league baseball teams than any
other Latin American country or any single state in the United States. The town of San
Pedro de Macoris in particular has produced more professional players-including Juan
Samuel of the Phillies , Joaquin Andular of the Oakland A’s and Sammy Sosa of the
Chicago Cubs than any other locality in the world.
In Puerto Rico baseball comes before all other sports. Both
as a participatory and a spectator sport. In Puerto Rico professional baseball is played
by teams in the Caribbean League. Often players from the US major leagues will also play
in the Caribbean League. Roberto Clemente, who played in the major leagues with the
Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1960’s and 1970’s is one of finest athletes Puerto
Rico has ever produced, and one of the best players of the game.
As in other Spanish-speaking Caribbean islands sports is
very important part of the Cuban life and identity. Castro, himself an athlete was once
offered a contract to pitch on a baseball team in the United States. Outstanding young
Cuban athletes at the age of nine are selected to attend a boarding school where they take
academic courses and play different sports. After this at age 15 those who excel will
attend a school for athletic improvement and perfection called ESPA. The top 1000 athletes
end up at a center for high yield training called CEAR. "Cuba has been referred to
the best little sports machine in the world. One of the famous Cuban players in baseball
today is El Duque from the New York Yankees.
Personal Attire
Clothing is another similarity among the people from the Dominican republic,
Puerto Rico and Cuba. People in these islands all wear modern western-style clothing. For
everyday purposes people tend to wear casual attire. As in so many parts of the world,
blue jeans from the United States are a hot commodity in these islands. The
"guayavera," an embroidered man’s shirt which usually has two or more
pockets is considered a traditional, elegant article of clothing and is still worn today
in both formal and informal settings.
Gender and Family Relations
Traditionally the extended-family household with a dominant male figure has been
the norm among the middle class and upper class in the Dominican republic, Puerto Rico and
Cuba. In contrast, low-income people have less stable family ties, and many of their
households consist of either a couple (with or without children) living together in a
common law marriage or a female –headed household with an absentee father.
In the Dominican Republic while women still consider a man
the head of the household, they have been able to exert increased authority within the
family as they have won greater educational and employment opportunities and more control
over the number of children they bear. In Puerto Rico the role of the women is similar to
that of women in the United States back ten years ago. Women in Puerto Rico have not had
as much progress in the feminist movement as those in the United States. In Cuba
"machismo" is alive and well. While women are expected to work outside the home,
they are also expected to do the cooking, cleaning and everything else which is supposedly
a women’s job.
Interpersonal relations among people of the Spanish
Caribbean are also very similar. People of the Dominican republic, Puerto Rico and Cuba
like many other peoples of the Caribbean are characterized as being warm, open, kind and
friendly. They are also known for their sense of humor. Like other Latin’s people of
the Spanish Caribbean are known to have very expressive body language. For example,
wrinkling one’s nose means "what?" Dominicans, Puerto Ricans and Cubans
usually greet each other with a handshake or with a kiss on the cheek and by saying
something like "hola" "buena" or "como estas."
In the Dominican republic "compradazgo, " a
relationship resembling that of godparents in the United States, is an important part of
the social fabric of the Dominican Republic. The "compadre" godparent is chosen
when a child is baptized. The special relationship that comes about out of this union with
both the child and his or her parent is a way of strengthening the bond between friends or
even reinforcing other types of relationships such as that between an employee and
employer. Rafael Trujillo the country’s long-time dictator exploited this dynanic by
holding mass baptisms where he became the "compadre" to thousands of peasant
children in order to ensure their parents loyalty.
In Puerto Rico and in Cuba the concept of baptism also
exist though the relationship formed is not as sacred as that in the Dominican Republic.
An outdated idea which was also common among Dominicans, Puerto Ricans and Cubans which
has recently gone out of fashion is when young girls date, they brought along a chaperone.
Recreation
For entertainment and recreation, the people of the Dominican republic, Puerto
Rico and Cuba enjoy baseball and a good game of dominoes. To pass the time, people read,
listen to the radio or watch one of the many soap operas (novelas.) cockfighting also
remains of great interest. In the Dominican republic dance is a national passion. Even the
smallest towns have a dance hall, and there are annual merengue festivals in Santo
Domingo. The major cities especially Santo Domingo have an active night life, with
numerous nightclubs and gambling casinos. In Puerto Rico high school and college students
frequent dance clubs and bars on weekends. Young Cubans, when they are not partaking in
sports, will be involved with one or another of the many government programs. The Young
Communists Union, for instance, operates numerous computer instruction centers. Older
Cubans can be found playing dominoes or chess or simply strolling El Malecon, the
boulevard that runs along the water front in Havana.
Education
Education in the Dominican republic, Puerto Rico, and Cuba are similar in the
concept that it is free and it is of great importance. In the Dominican republic there is
compulsory education to children between ages of 6-14. The estimated literacy rate of the
Dominican republic was 83% in 1990. Many students leave their education to help support
their families. Additional barriers to education include a shortage of teachers,
especially in rural areas, and a lack of adequate facilities. Institutions of higher
learning include the autonomous University of Santo Domingo, founded in 1538, which is the
oldest in the western hemisphere.
In Puerto Rico some 90% of the islands population is
literate. The government spends more money on education than on any other sector. The
university of Puerto Rico provides higher education at several campuses throughout the
island. Puerto Rico’s first free primary was founded in the early 19th
century when Puerto Rico came under the control of the United States, free public schools
were setup. However, all subjects were taught in the English language. This was done even
though English was not the first language of teachers and students. Many people worked to
change this policy and by the 1930’s and 1940’s, Spanish once again became the
language of instruction in the classroom. Today English is taught as a second language.
In Cuba education is not only free but also mandatory. In
1961 the government initiated a campaign to wipe out illiteracy, and today Cuba has one of
the highest literacy rates in all of Latin America. The nations adult literacy rate is 96
percent. Higher education is also free, but admission is affected by one’s political
affiliations. Shortages in school supplies are so bad that textbooks are shared and
workbooks are erased and passed along to the next class. The largest university is the
university of Havana established in 1728.
Culture
Culture in the Dominican republic, Puerto Rico and Cuba is a combination of
Spanish, European and African traditions. The first permanent colony of Europeans in the
western hemisphere was established in the Dominican republic, and western traditions have
been a strong presence ever since. Some of the old colonial buildings are still standing,
fine examples of which are in Santo Domingo. Art, music and literature are developed in
part on western patterns but, equally strong is the African cultural strain. The African
heritage is most noticeable in the folk culture especially the music. These two traditions
bring forth the popular national song and dance, the merengue. The merengue was developed
in the Dominican Republic. It is a lively music and dance form which is also enjoyed in
many other Spanish countries. The merengue used African and European instruments such as
the tambora, drums, guiro, and accordion. The words of a merengue are often romantic or
patriotic. Sometimes a merengue is written about a famous person or about friendship
between nations.
Like Dominican culture, Puerto Rican culture has strong
roots in Spanish and African traditions. Nowhere are those traditions more visible than in
its popular music. Like other Spanish-speaking nations, salsa is the music of choice for
Puerto Ricans. It blends elements of Spanish music with African rhythms. There are many
forms of music and dance in Puerto Rico today, such as the bomba, plena, danza, salsa and
merengue. The bomba is of African origin. The dance formed by a man and a woman, each
having a separate set of steps. The man performs a rhythmic dance step, and the lead
drummer responds with his own set of drum rhythms. In this way, the two men are competing
with one another. The words are usually about everyday life or historical events. It is an
exciting and colorful dance.
Cuban culture is also a combination of Spanish and African
traditions. Music is perhaps the single most important aspect of Cubas popular culture.
The blending of the Spanish guitar and the African drum gives Cuban music its most
distinctive forms, the rumba and the son. Some of its folk music, however, such as the
"punto," the "zapateo" and the "guajira, " has been greatly
influenced by European music. Salsa a popular music in both Puerto Rico and Cuba was
developed in the 1700’s by African people who were enslaved in Cuba. Salsa is a form
of music with complex
Rhythms using African and European instruments. Today,
salsa is often played by Afro-Cuban, Puerto Ricans and African Americans. Celia Cruz, now
exiled in the United States is known throughout the world as the queen of salsa. Another
important aspect of Cuba’s culture is the ballet. In Cuba, ballet is to the fine arts
as baseball is to sports. "The Cuban National Ballet Company has performed the world
over. Its founder, leader and star, Alicia Alonso, is considered one of the best dancers
of all times."
Agriculture
The Dominican republic, Puerto Rico and Cuba all have a significant amount of
agriculture which contributes to their economy. Agricultural profits are seen in all three
of these Spanish Caribbean islands. However, some islands depend more on agriculture than
others for their main source of income. Plantations in these islands all grow some similar
crops but may vary in the amount dedicated for each crop. For example, in the Dominican
republic the principal cash crop is sugar cane. In 1997 some 6 million metric tons of
sugarcane were produced. Other important crops were rice, coffee, bananas, cocoa and
tobacco.
In Puerto Rico coffee is the most valuable crop followed by
vegetables, sugarcane, bananas, pineapples, tobacco and rice. In Puerto Rico there are two
substantially different agricultural systems: one of very small farms mainly producing
subsistence commodities and another of much larger farms which produce goods for export.
Dairy products, poultry and beef cattle and calves are also important sources of income
Cuba normally ranks among the world leaders in sugar
production; and sugar cane is the largest crop. A second crop of commercial importance is
tobacco. Other important agricultural products include coffee, citrus fruit, pineapples,
rice, cacao, beans, bananas, corn, plantains, cotton, tomatoes, potatoes and pimientos.
Cattle, hogs, horses poultry sheep and goats are all valuable livestock and are raised in
large numbers.
Though agriculture is a source of income for all three of
these islands, the percentage of their economy which comes from agriculture is very
different in all three islands. For example a big percent of Cuba's economy comes from
agriculture while in Puerto Rico the percentage of the economy which comes from
agriculture is not nearly as high.
Standard of Living
Living conditions in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Cuba are very
different. In the Dominican republic’s country side traditional rural dwellings are
made of wood with roofs of corrugated tin and are often painted in bright colors. To keep
the farmhouse cool, cooking is usually done in a separate structure with slotted sides for
the release of smoke and heat. In the city living standards are much better than in the
country. In the city you have availability to everything you need to live comfortably. The
Dominican republic’s infant mortality rate 1n1993 was 49 deaths per 1,000 births, and
average life expectancy was 69 years. Hospitals are in Santo Domingo and Santiago, the two
largest cities. In the countryside there is lower quality health care. Health programs are
offered though the nation’s public welfare department and social security
departments, however, this only covers about 82% of the population.
In Puerto Rico, people enjoy a standard of living that is
among the highest in the Caribbean. Health care on the island has continued to improve
since the 1940’s. the majority of Puerto Ricans have cars. While income for Puerto
Ricans is much higher than in any other Caribbean island it is much lower than in the
United States.
Of all three islands Cubans seems to have the worst living
conditions of them all. Ever since the collapse of the Soviet Union in1991, Cuba has been
going through what they call a "Special Period." Under the special period,
energy consumption is drastically reduced, oxen are put to work out in the fields, people
get around in bikes and food is slashed to a minimum survival level. Once recognized as
one of the best in the Third World, the health care system in Cuba today is so bad that
patients must bring their own bed sheets to the hospital, and surgeons are given one bar
of soap per month with which to wash their hands. Black markets buy and sell goods such as
food, clothes, liquor, medicine, cigarettes, and gas.
Employment
Employment in the Caribbean varies from island to island. In the Dominican
republic agriculture was the main source of employment. Today a growing number of
Dominicans work in service related jobs, especially in the tourism industry. Most
Dominican farmers are sharecroppers and those who do own their own farms have fewer than 5
acres and grow only enough food to feed their families. The country suffers from an
extreme rate of unemployment. An estimated 30% of the work force was unemployed in 1993.
Race has traditionally dominated Dominicans employment options. Higher status jobs in
business government and in other professional areas are held by lighter skinned persons.
In general the wages of female workers are lower than those of their male counterparts.
The labor force in Cuba is divided almost equally among
services. There are equal amounts of jobs in agriculture, trade, manufacturing, mining and
utilities. Tourism jobs are highly sought after because of their access to dollars and
foreign goods. Many teachers, doctors, and other professionals leave their jobs to go
after the tourism jobs.
Art and Relgion
Folk art, crafts and hobbies is also somewhat different between the island of
Dominican republic, Puerto Rico and Cuba. In the Dominican republic local crafts include
mahogany woodcarvings, woven goods, pottery, handmade rocking chairs(which have been
popular ever since one was given to president John K. Kennedy as a gift). ceramics,
macramé and hand knit clothing. Dominicans also produce hand-crafted amber jewelry as
well as jewelry made with larimar, also known as Dominican turquoise, a light blue stone
unique to the region.
In Puerto Rico carved religious figures called santos
(saints) have been produced for more than 400 years. Mundillos (tattered fabrics) is a
lace craft that is equally as old and equally as popular. Music artisans in Puerto Rico
make cuatros (four stringed guitars). Other people make caretas, (festive masks) in the
shape of animals or devil heads.
In Cuba crafts and hobbies are not as popular as in the
Dominican republic or Puerto Rico. One of the few hobbies of the Cuban people is making
handmade cigars. Handmade cigars are as much craft as they are an export item. Cuban
cigars are considered the best in the world. More than 3 million cigars are produced in
Cuba each year. These cigars are made one at a time.
National Holidays
Dominicans Puerto Ricans and Cubans celebrate different holidays throughout the
year. In the Dominican republic many of their holidays are religious. In addition to
Christmas and Good Friday, they include the day of Our Lady of Altagracia which is the 21st
of January, Corpus Christi on June 17th, and the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy on September
24th. . Other holidays include Dia de Duarte, commemorating the birthday of
national hero Juan Pablo Duarte, Independence Day on the 27th of February ,
Labor Day on may 1st and Dominican Restoration Day on august 16th.
Every town also holds a festival in honor of its patron saint, combining religious
observance with activities such as dancing, drinking and gambling. The Dominican
Independence Day which falls around the beginning of Lent, is the occasion for a carnival
celebration which draws about half a million people annually to festivities in Santo
Domingo.
In Puerto Rico a holiday of great importance is San
Bautista Day. At midnight celebrants dip their fully clothed bodies in water in order to
bring themselves good luck. Puerto Ricans also celebrate American holidays such as the
Fourth of July and Memorial Day. Christmas celebrations take place on December 25th
and on January 6 , three kings day is celebrated. During the Christmas holiday, Puerto
Ricans go from house to house singing songs called aquinaldos. Members of each
household then join in and move to the next house. This is called an asalto,
(assault). This is similar to the American tradition of caroling.
Major holidays in Cuba mark significant points in the
revolution.(January 1st and January 6th ). May Day is celebrated
which is a communist holiday worldwide and so is October 10th which marks the
declaration of war against Spain in1868. Catholics honor three kings day on January 6.
Folklore
A country’s folklore is a very important part of the people and its culture.
The Dominican republic , Puerto Rico and Cuba all have folklores which are very different
and very unique to its people. In the Dominican republic Catholics combine catholic
beliefs with African customs, formularios and orciones which they believe
attracts good luck or avoids the evil eye. Many Dominicans also have a belief in the
powers of the saints, expressed in saints. Images of one or two saints are kept in the
house and goods are offered to them in exchange for carrying out the wishes of the
worshipper. On the "Nights of the Saints" the saints are believed to be called
to earth.
Puerto Rican folklore, with origins in Taino, Spanish and
African traditions, deals mostly with stories of demons who roam the island after dark,
seeking food or people or protecting gold stashed by pirates. Other tales give an account
of hurricanes and damage they cause. The legend of "El Chupacabras" (the goat
sucker ) spread throughout Puerto Rico in the early 1990’s. "Chupa" is said
to be a panther-like creature that stands on its hind legs and hops around like a
kangaroo. Some believe that the creature may be a space alien. Others believe it is the
work of satanic cults.
Most of Cuba's heroes come from real life and not from
folklore but there is one famous folklore. One of the better known pieces of Cuban
folklore is El Bizarron, the story of a man who outsmarts the devil. Jose Marti is
Cuba’s undisputed national hero. Marti was the mastermind behind the War of
Independence and is known for his inspiring prose and poetry. The versus of his most
famous poem, "The White Rose," have been put to music in what is Cuba’s
most moving song, "La Guantanamera."
Government
Another way in which the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Cuba differ is in
their form of government. In the Dominican Republic the central government, which is the
executive power is given to the president, who is elected for a term of four years. The
president appoints his own cabinet and may also introduce bills in congress. In the
legislature the bicameral congress of the Dominican Republic is composed of an upper
chamber (the senate) and 30 members and a lower chamber with 120 members. All legislative
members are also elected for terms of four years. In the judiciary branch there is the
supreme court of justice, which is the highest tribunal in the Dominican Republic. This
branch is made up of a president and eight judges, which, are appointed by the senate.
There is also a procurator-which is appointed by the president. There are 3 political
parties in the Dominican Republic. In the local government, the 29 provinces of the
Dominican Republic are administered by governors who are appointed by the country’s
president. Each municipality and the Districto National elect a major and a municipal
council as the administrative body.
Puerto Rico on the other hand is a commonwealth of the
United States. Puerto Ricans share most rights and obligations of other United States
citizens. Residents of the commonwealth may not vote in United States elections, however
they are not required to pay federal income taxes, except for federal employees and
members of the armed forces. The chief executive of Puerto Rico is a governor, who is
popularly elected to a four-year term and who may be reelected any number of times. The
secretary of state takes the place of the governor should the governor resign, die or be
removed from office. Puerto Rico’s highest tribunal is the Supreme Court, which is
composed of a chief justice and six associate justices. The major trial court is the
superior court, which is made up of 108 judges who serve 12 year terms. Puerto Rico is
divided into 78 municipalities. Each municipality is governed by a popularly elected mayor
and municipal assembly.
In the case of Cuba, there is only one legal political
party, the communist party. Cuba is a socialist state. The central legislature of Cuba is
the national assembly of people’s power. Its 510 members are elected to five year
terms by direct universal voting. The council of state includes a president, who is the
country’s head of state; a vice president and five other vice presidents. Cuba is
divided into 169 municipalities and 14 provinces.
Conclusion
In order to understand the similarities, which exist in these three Spanish Caribbean
Islands one must realize and understand that African and European influences are a major
part of the Dominican, Puerto Rican and Cuban culture. This influence is seen in their
music, dance, food, language, Religion, the arts and in many other aspects of everyday
life. While there are some differences among Dominicans, Puerto Ricans and Cubans, these
differences do not make any one group better or superior than another group. In reality I
personally cannot see how people consider themselves so different when we have so much in
common and our roots all lead us back to the same place.
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Gordon, Raoul. Puerto Rican Culture: An Introduction.
New York: Gordon Books, 1982.
Perez , Louis A., Jr. Cuba: Between Reform and
Revolution. New York: Oxford University Press, 1988.
Silvio Torres-Saillant and Ramona Hernandez, The
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Walton, Chelle Koster . A Caribbean Ways: Cultural
Guide. Westwood, MA: Riverdale, 1993.
Whiteford, Linda, and Kenneth J. Goodman. "Dominicans."
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