Cuban Traditions: Noche Buena in Term Paper

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There is no cautioning the children to get to bed early to wait for Santa Claus, as gifts are not traditionally exchanged upon this day in Cuban culture. Although some Cubans have adopted the concept of Santa Claus after living in America, traditionally Noche Buena and Christmas Day is more of an adult festival. The parties on Noche Buena, much like New Year's Day, last long into the morning hours, and children sometimes fall asleep on their feet! Everyone rises late and has a casual meal of the leftovers.

Usually, Cuban children receive their gifts on the 6th of January, the day of Los Reyes Magos, the Three Kings or Three Wise Men. This is a day of processions and gift-giving, and people dressed up as the Wise Men throw candy to the crowds of children watching in the streets. (if you really think about it, it makes more sense to exchange gifts on the day when the Three Wise Men presented their gifts to the infant Jesus, rather than before that day.) of course, in Cuba itself, such Christian celebration is officially banned in the atheist, Marxist state, but this only makes Cubans living elsewhere, such as in the United States, all the more proud and grateful for their national Christmas traditions.


Not every Cuban home has the full all-night Noche Buena celebration, of course, and some families combine more American Christmas traditions, like having an elaborately decorated Christmas tree, with more traditional Cuban traditions customs. But it would be rare to find a Cuban household that did not have some sort of family get-together, and serve some form of pork, rice, and beans on December 24th! Family togetherness, taking joy in whatever life has to offer, and the appreciation of good food is the true meaning of Christmas for Cubans, and something a Cuban of any age can….....

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"Cuban Traditions Noche Buena In" (2007, January 23) Retrieved July 1, 2025, from
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"Cuban Traditions Noche Buena In", 23 January 2007, Accessed.1 July. 2025,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/cuban-traditions-noche-buena-40465