Ethnographic atlas of Cuba

Jaba: Bag made with woven dry palm leaves, used to store or transport various objects. A chord made of the same material closes its mouth and allows it to be hung from the shoulder. They are made in several sizes; its length is usually four times its wide.

Jata: Name of several species of palms (Copernicia spp.) reaching 4 to 5 m. Their large leaves form a fan with a thorny petiole. They occur in savannas, in sterile lands and in low, sandy places. Their fruit is fed to the swine and their trunk is used for posts and poles. Fibers for basket weaving are also obtained from them.

Jamo: Small or middle-sized net with a ring around it and a wooden handle or a chord to hang it. It is used to capture spiny lobsters (Panulirus argus), stone crabs (Menippe mercenaria) and other Crustacean.

Jan: Hard wooden peg, about 6 cm diameter and 1.50 m long, with a not too pointed tip and strong enough to drive into the ground with the hands. It is an implement used to plant by opening holes into the earth for the seeds.

Jíbaro: Name given in Cuba to wild animals.

Jibe: Type of sieve made with dry palm leaves or with a kind of cloth from coconut trees (Coco nucifera) with which the aborigines made cassava bread. They are still found in rural settings.

Jícara de Jobá: Musical instrument formed by half a gourd put into the water of a container and struck in its convex side with drumsticks. The funereal ceremony held by the Arará nine days after a burial to win over or say goodbye to the deceased person, so he or she will neither return nor do harm, is called jobá or jobar the dead person. It is also held so he or she can take revenge for his or her death if it was caused by a hidden enemy or through witchcraft.

Jico: Name the Gangá gave to some small drums, nailed or tuned by fire, they used in their dances.

Jigüe: Name given to various trees better known as jagüey (Ficus gen.) or jigüey. Their wood is compact, of a reddish color and an unpleasant smell. Jigües are used to make sleepers, columns, banisters and in other carpentry work.

Jimagua: In Cuba, twin. Synonymous of the Spanish gemelo.

Jiribilla: Variation of the columbia, a modality of rumba. It is a dance for male soloists, characterized by quick and free movements and by extemporization. As in the case of columbia, it can include joking and mimics. It is danced with a handkerchief on the neck or in the hand, while the arms move freely.

Jutía (La) y el Maja (The Hutia and the Boa): Variation of the son montuno in peasant festivities in Majagua, Ciego de Avila province. The clever hutia mocks the boa that is trying to eat it.