Traditions of Havana
A city of son and rumba, Santería ceremonies, domino tables and a coffee culture of small cups.
Havana was founded in 1519 and is a living museum of colonial and twentieth century buildings. Cuban culture is a mix of Spanish and West African heritage, and Santería, a faith that joins Yoruba orishas with Catholic saints, is practised alongside Catholicism. Music is everywhere: son, rumba, bolero and salsa.
Rumba, Santería and the guaguancó
On Sundays, rumba circles gather in Callejón de Hamel with drums and dancing. Rumba is on UNESCO's list. Santería ceremonies, with white-clad believers, honour orishas such as Yemayá and Changó, and the Day of San Lázaro, on 17 December, sees pilgrims walk on their knees to the church. At New Year, buckets of water are thrown out of windows.
At the table
Ropa vieja, shredded beef, moros y cristianos, black beans and rice, and lechón asado, roast pork for Nochebuena, are traditional. Cafecito, a strong sweet espresso in a tiny cup, is drunk through the day. Mojitos and daiquiris were created here. Pastelitos are filled pastries.
Signature traditions of Havana
Also part of it, and being written: Rumba (The dance.), Santería (The faith.), Cuban coffee (The coffee.), Ropa vieja (The dish.), Mojito (The cocktail.).
A trail idea for Havana
- Callejón de Hamel See Sunday rumba.
- Malecón Stroll at sunset.
- Plaza de la Catedral See baroque.
Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Opening hours, markets and festival dates change; check locally before travelling. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Salsa: Edil Villa, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Abakuá: M. Puente, Public domain, source