Ethnographic atlas of Cuba

Abakuá: Groups formed by more than a hundred male associations that merge the cult to their ancestors -- based on a common mythical origin, very similar to that in the southeastern region of Nigeria among the Ibo, the Ibibio and the Ekoi -- with Catholic elements in the liturgy and the composition of each of their temples. Their members are called Abakuá or Ñáñigos. In contrast with other popular beliefs of a marked African origin, as Santería and Palo Monte, they have a national organization grouping the direction of the associations in Havana, Matanzas and Cardenas. It has a hierarchical stratification based on the prestige and the knowledge of myths and oral tradition, as well as on a complex process of initiation including dances, drum beats, songs and ritual elocution in remnants of the Ibibio's Efik language. All their activities are accompanied by a broad system of graphic signs, called ereniyó, covering the bodies of those being initiated, musical instruments. They hold ceremonies to replace hierarchies, apply sanctions and in funereal rites. Their members are considered Cubans.

Accordion: Wind instrument invented by Friederich Buschumann in 1822 and introduced in Cuba during the Ten Year War (1868-1878) to accompany the guarachas then in vogue. Together with the güiro or guayo, harmonicas and other musical instruments, it was used in the punto guajiro and other genres.

Achotera: A calabash-made (Crescentia cujete, Lin.) container where ripe annatto seeds (Bixe orellana, Lin.) are kept. Annatto (achote in Spanish) is used to tint soups, rice and meat. The container has small holes through which the water in which the food is being cooked flows in and out.

Aeroplano: A variation of the son montuno, that joins together the music and the basic step that are characteristic of this dance.

Ajiaco: Typical Cuban dish. A nourishing and thick soup including meat --preferably pork, although beef is also used --, root vegetables and corn, and seasoned with small sweet peppers, tomato, spices and lemon.

Ajiaquito: A variation of ajiaco, but the soup is much thinner and heavily seasoned with lemon and chili pepper.

Alambrada: Small metal wire placed between the line and the hook to prevent the fish from destroying the gear.

Al colgao fishing: Stick with a stone in one end and a cotton rope, a piece of wire and a hook in the other.

Alcahuete: Metal idiophone in the form of a container, longer and narrower than the common cowbell. It is percussed with a thin iron bar. (See cowbell.)

Aldea (Village): Category used for the definition of concentrated settlements in the colonial period. Together with the hamlets, they were the smallest localities in the island. However, according to some descriptions, they were localities with a larger population and political and administrative importance, since 67.1 per cent of them had between 50 and 199 inhabitants. This category, widely spread in Spain, where traditional localities under this name are many, did not last long in the popular language or in official documents.

Aliñado: Homemade beverage made either with rum or raw rum, sugar and diced fruit or fruit preserved in syrup. It is specially served when celebrating the birth of a child.

Altar de cruz (Altar with a cross): Celebrations of Spanish origin held in Cuba since the 18th century, from May 3rd on, to commemorate the Holy Cross. An altar with a cross and other ornaments is erected. In the western region, décimas (Cuban country poetic form) were sung with punto campesino tunes; while in the eastern region, besides the décimas, small neighborhood choruses usually competed singing quatrains. At midnight, the altar was covered and the dancing began. Today this type of celebration is only held in the province of Villa Clara and yuka drums are used in it.

Altar de promesa (Promise altar): These celebrations have some relationship with the former ones, but their motivation differs, since they are intended to pay promises for the healing of a person or for another reason. They are generally held on September 8th, the day of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre.

Anacagüita: Name given to several plants and bushes (Sterculia apetala, S. carthaginensis, Cordia sebestena, among others) with alleged healing properties. Their fibers are widely used in basket and hat weaving.

Araña (Spider): Mule or horse driven cart. It is specifically used for the transportation of passengers or house foodstuffs.

Arará: 1. Africans called Arará in Cuba came from the central and southern areas of today’s Republic of Benin (the former Dahomey). The number of Ararás in Cuba was large enough to found several cabildos. In Havana, for example, there were three under the names of Arará Dajomé, Arará Majino and Arará Sabalú. // 2. Single-membrane drums. The drumhead is stretched with a reed tensed by a hemp rope surrounding the box and zigzagging to the ring with some stakes entering perpendicularly into it. Their body is cylindrical with a thinner part added to it. The smallest one, called cachimbo, is struck with two sticks; the middle-sized one, or mula, with one drumstick, and the biggest, or caja, with the hand. These drums take different names according to the region.

Ayúa: Tree (Zanthoxylum martinicense) that grows up to 20m high. Its wood is pale yellow, soft and easily split. It blooms in May and its fruit ripens in December. It grows in limestone and rocky soils.

Absent citizens (Celebrations for): In old times, a day in the program for the celebrations for the patron saints was assigned to the celebrations for absent citizens, but as lay elements increased, they started to be held independently. People who are born in a town but live elsewhere for various reasons are invited to them, thus their name. Dinners, visits, games, dances and other activities are organized. They take the name of the town where they were held (for example, the Día del Quemadense Ausente --in Quemado de Güines-- and the Día del Cienfueguense Ausente --in Cienfuegos).

Al bellisquero fishing: Fishing that takes place at dawn. Engodo is scattered before fishing. See engodo.

Al vuelo fishing: Fishing with artificial light. With light and throwing engodo balls. See engodo.