Andre Harris II Spanish Portfolio Blog

This cultural project was very interesting and I had a good time learning about a new country. My knowledge on Spanish culture did not change much however it was enlightening to learn about a culture I am familiar with from a new perspective. Cuba has a strong identity and they are filled with pride and joy. This is much like other countries in the Spanish culture however the different nuances such as religious aspects, specific food and sports separate Cuba from its counterparts. If anything, learning about Cuba has me interested in learning about Spanish cultures from different latino countries.  The most interesting artifact I chose was the architecture in Cuba. I already have a fascination with architecture due to my own personal interests. The architecture in Cuba is captivating and worth it for anyone to go and see. To see the history of the architecture and how it is present in the current architecture in Cuba is incredible. It is even more interesting to see how different c...

Cuban Cigars I remember as a kid watching action movies and the coolest characters in the movies all had one thing in common. They all at some point had a moment where they’d kick back, relax and begin puffing on a good ole cuban cigar. The goat of the NBA Michael Jordan himself is a cuban cigar enthusiast. Many men and even some women in my family are good acquaintances with cigars. Cigars to me are an indicator of being suave and poise due to my childhood and the people I've seen smoke them. I myself have begun learning about cigars and I have a small collection of them so far. Cigars bring people together and peace like no other.  Growing and Rolling Tobacco  Upon returning from their initial exploration of Cuba in 1492, Spanish sailors reported thick trees, chattering birds, and people moving around "with a firebrand of weeds in their hands to take in the fragrant smoke." Spanish colonists soon began cultivating and using tobacco as well. The "weeds" turned ...

The history of art in Cuba  Cuban art has a long history that dates back to the early 16th-century Spanish colonial era and the island nation's independence in 1902 following the Spanish American War of 1898. It carries on into the early 20th century and beyond the 1959 Cuban Revolution in the middle of the century. Cuban painters use a variety of contemporary influences in their works of art, such as visual styles that are prevalent throughout the Caribbean, traditional tribal arts from African and Native American cultures, and styles from Europe and North America. Spanish and European art forms, including painting, architecture, and sculpture, dominated a significant portion of Cuban art history. Over the past century, new styles have supplanted the traditions of Cuban artwork. Cuban Artworks  A History of Cuban Art throughout the Colonial Era From 150 until 1900, Cuba and the Caribbean islands that surround it were under Spanish rule. Leaders in Spain decreed that commissio...

Comida de Cuba  In Latin, Spanish, and Hispanic cultures, food is very important. It goes beyond simple nourishment to become a means of expression, custom, and community. These areas have rich, varied, and historically rich food. Cuisine and the act of making dishes helps latinos feel more connected to their identity, cultural heritage, and roots. Since eating with family is important in Latino culture, food unites families. As a result, food fosters a sense of community by highlighting the value of family. In Cuba the history of its food is intriguing. Due to the history of the various settlers, the island's location, and the region's tropical environment all directly contributed to the development of the cuisine culture.  Spanish cuisine played a significant influence in Cuban cuisine since it was the first and final Spanish colony in the Caribbean. Spanish, African, Caribbean, and indigenous Taino dishes are all combined to create Cuban cuisine. Havana was a major trading ...

  Andre Harris II  Baseball  Baseball, a game that contains nine playable players, three base, one mound and one home plate. Although it is considered America’s pastime game, it is significantly more popular in Spanish-speaking countries. Going back over 150 years ago baseball has woven itself into latino culture and has become one of the most valued sports in the culture.  In terms of sports, Cuba has a long history. Sports and Cuban culture go hand in hand. Baseball is the national sport and the most popular sport in the nation. It is deeply rooted in Cuban love. Baseball was brought to Cuba in 1864 by American students who were heading home. Ten years later, at Matanzas' Estado Palmar de Junco—the oldest baseball stadium still in use in the world—was the first official game ever recorded on the island. And thus was born a nation consumed by desire.  Formed in 1878, the Cuban League was a winter circuit that ran until 1961, when Fidel Castro switched out the p...

  Andre Harris II  Architecture       The capital of Cuba, Havana, is rich in culture. Many people feel that they’ve gone on a trip in a time machine when they visit Havana due to the old classic style cars, stunning architecture and the history that is still visibly present. My first artifact will be about the alluring architecture of Havana, Cuba.  I am choosing architecture as my artifact because it has been a keen interest of mine since I was a child. I specifically like architecture that is grand, designed with detail and ultimately is intriguing to look at. There is something special about walking past a building, and having to double take because the detailed work is so astonishing. One thing about architecture which people overlook is the effect on the environment it has. It has an influence on the culture and people around it. In Cuba, the architecture alone would draw me there to visit, below I will go into detail about Cuba’s rich architectu...