Cuba Historically Speaking Patch

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CUBA PATCH PROGRAM (complete 3 requirements to earn this patch)

1. Cuba is officially the Republic of Cuba and is an island in the Caribbean. View an outline of a Cuban country map and its Capital. Identify Cuba's flag.

2. Spanish is the official language of Cuba. English is commonly studied as a foreign language in schools. Learn some words or slang that is spoken in Cuba.

3. The Christmas season is very popular in Cuba. Lights cover the city streets and houses, as do Christmas trees. Christmas is celebrated on December 25th and on December 17th, a parade called the Procession of Miracles takes place. Learn about festivals in Cuba, go to a festival, participate in one, OR complete a craft that represents a festival.

4. Cuban food is a combination of Spanish, African and Caribbean food. Staples of a Cuban diet include meat, beans and rice. Moros y cristianos is a popular dish comprised of rice and black beans. Coffee is also high quality and a major export product. Try a recipe, food, or drink from Cuba.

5. Due to the Spanish and African influence, Cuban music is very popular all around the world. Son is a kind of music that emerged in the late 19th century, and it mixes Spanish guitars with African drums. Son is the basis for many musical styles, including rumba, mambo and salsa. In addition to this, Cuba also has a world-class ballet company and has housed many famous ballerinas. Watch a dance OR listen to music OR sing a song OR learn more information about a dance from Cuba and try your own moves.

6. Legends and stories of Cuba reflect the many cultural backgrounds in Cuba today. Folk Tales and nature poetry make up many of Cuba's early literature. Read a story, legend, OR listen to a legend or play.

7. Cuba has been inhabited by people for more than five thousand years. The earliest settlers, known as the Ciboney people and the Taino people were the first to inhabit the island. Later, they were joined by the Europeans who came in 1492. Christopher Columbus was in search of a western route to Asia, however he instead found Cuba. Cuba was then colonized around 1512 by the Europeans. Learn more about the earliest settlers, or learn about a famous explorer like Christopher Columbus OR learn about a landmark or building in Cuba.

8. Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean, and is part f the Greater Antilles. Cuba's terrain is very diverse. It has rolling plains, good for farm land, it has mountains and a beautiful coastline. Cuba also has the largest wetland, known as the Zapata swamp. It is home to thousands of plants and animal species, and is one of the only places the Cuban crocodile survives. Choose [3] animals OR plants from Cuba to learn more about. Also, Locate the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.

9. Handicrafts in Cuba reflect both its Spanish and African influences. Wooden carved figurines, masks, and ceramics are some of Cuba's most popular hand made crafts. These are normally sold in markets or street fairs. Create a craft or project using a traditional a skill OR jewelry OR observe someone creating a handicraft OR a traditional craft from Cuba.

10. The guayabera is the typical traditional men's wear in Cuba. This shirt is also called a Havana Shirt in Cuba. It is a tailored shirt with patches in the front, and is often worn over an undershirt. This shirt originated in Cuba, and is very popular all over the world because of it's cool, casualness. There is a female version of the guayabera, and it is a longer more tailored dress. Draw a picture of the clothing, dress up in a Cuban themed costume, create an accessory, complete our paper dolls OR view traditional clothing through books or the Internet or our country manual.

11. There are a variety of games played by children in Cuba. Cuba also has a history rich in Baseball. It became an official sport in Cuba in 1864. Learn a traditional game OR play a game that symbolizes Cuba OR play a water game OR play a game in our manual.