Puerto Rican Culture
Puerto Rican culture is a wide array of blends from different influences. Over the years Puerto Rico has been involved with different settlers and been a main strategic post for the Spanish army. The Puerto Rican culture that we know today has been molded through time. Like many other cultures, there are a multitude of things that make Puerto Rico unique. Puerto Rican culture can be seen as a mixture of Spanish, African, and Taino Indian. The creation of culture is a slow stir of mixtures in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico has become modernized when the United States ultimately took over. Advancements in government, health care and even currency has changed the way of life in Puerto Rican culture. Despite that however, the heritage has not weakened and remained prevalent throughout the islands.
• To truly understand Puerto Rican culture, you must first know about the history of Puerto Rico. The islands’ original inhabitants were the Taino Indians. In the 18th century, the Spaniards began to take control of the islands and they would often take Taino brides. Years later, African slaves were imported. In 1898, when American expatriates came to the island, the culture already consisted of a rich blend of Chinese, French, Italian, and German peoples. In the 1960’s, Puerto Rico saw a surge in Cuban immigrants fleeing Fidel Castro. Much of the folklore heritage for Puerto Rican culture comes mainly from the Taino tribes, African slaves, and Spaniards.
• Puerto Rico is located right above the Caribbean Basin, and the Atlantic Ocean borders the north of the island. Puerto Rico consists of many smaller islands as well. One island of Puerto Rico is Mona, which is a wildlife preserve. There are about 20 other rainforest reserves, as preservation is a big concern.
• Celebrations are an important part of Puerto Rican culture. Many of the celebrations have a Roman Catholic influence in their modern incarnations. Christmas season in Puerto Rico is the longest celebration of the islands, and last from late November to the 6th of January. Feasts and festivities are common during Christmas season. Food such as fried plantains, roast pork, cooked yam, and meats wrapped in banana leaves are not uncommon during this time of year. Much like the American tradition of celebrating a young girls “sweet sixteen,” the Puerto Rican culture is to celebrate the fifteenth birthday. This is called Quinceanera and is a right of passage for young girls.
Food is always influenced by culture and the same applies here. Puerto Rican culture has helped shape almost every aspect of life on the islands. Improvements to the way of life, such as health care, public schools, freedom of assembly have all been added as the United States way of life. There is no doubt that Puerto Rico is diverse culture that has been shaped over time by many different influences.
