File:Cuba and her people of to-day - an account of the history and progress of the island previous to its independence; a description of its physical features; a study of its people; and, in particular, an (14774480021).jpg

Identifier: cubaherpeopleoft00forb (find matches)
Title: Cuba and her people of to-day : an account of the history and progress of the island previous to its independence; a description of its physical features; a study of its people; and, in particular, an examination of its present political conditions, its industries, natural resources, and prospects; together with information and suggestions designed to aid the prospective investor or settler
Year: 1911 (1910s)
Authors: Forbes-Lindsay, Charles Harcourt Ainslie, 1860-
Subjects:
Publisher: Boston : I.C. Page
Contributing Library: The Library of Congress
Digitizing Sponsor: The Library of Congress

View Book Page: Book Viewer
About This Book: Catalog Entry
View All Images: All Images From Book
Click here to view book online to see this illustration in context in a browseable online version of this book.

Text Appearing Before Image:
of Cubans. He sometimes varies hisbill of fare with a fish or a bull-frog. The one trait of his Spanish forefatherswhich the guajiro retains in undiminishedstrength, is love of gambling. He is supportedthrough a week of loathsome labor by the pros-pect of wagering his wages at the cock-pit orbull-ring on Sunday. He enjoys music anddancing with the whole-hearted delight of achild. As most of the observances of theChurch have something of a gala characterthey attract him, and he finds a pious excusefor attending them. Weddings, christenings,funerals, are so many holidays in which it is areligious duty to take part. Of course all thefiestas are holy days and if he worked on allthe days which are in no manner signalized bythe Church, he would hardly labor half thetime. The guajira does all the chores about theplace, except for looking after the cattle. Ifthese and the cooking leave any surplus timeit is occupied in attending to the numerousbrood of guajiritos, who are to be seen tumbling
Text Appearing After Image:
The People of the Country 101 about every cabin of the Island in a state ofunhampered nature. The guajira is the work-ing member of the family, but she gets her fullshare of the holidays, for her husband usuallytakes all his dependents with him when he goesto town to attend mass and patronize the cock-fight. Females are debarred from that delec-table entertainment and while it is in progressthe guajira will foregather with others of herkind outside the village fonda and gossip overa glass of tamarind water. There used to be more saints days than Sun-days in the calendar, but the number is not sogenerally observed as formerly. In fact, thecountry population seems to be beginning totake a more serious view of life and to regardwork as a somewhat essential part of it, ratherthan a necessary evil of intermittent character.As he has come into closer touch with civiliza-tion in latter days, the guajiro has become sen-sibly discontented with his simple lot and de-sirous of many things of whi

Note About Images