Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
RELIGION
Like many former Spanish colonies, Roman Catholicism is practiced widely, with an es-
timated 70% of Puerto Ricans identifying as Catholic. But both Catholics and Protestants -
the second-largest religious group - have been widely influenced by centuries of indigenous
and African folkloric traditions. Slaves brought from West Africa between the 16th and 19th
centuries carried with them a system of animistic beliefs that they passed on through gener-
ations of their descendants.
You can hear it in the cadences of the African drums in traditional music like bomba and,
more recently, in salsa. You also hear African linguistic traditions in dance names like rumba
and in variations on Changó (the Yoruba god of fire and war), like machango, changuero,
changuería and changuear (all are island words that relate people, things and behavior to
Changó).
The santos (small carved figurines representing saints) that have been staple products of
Puerto Rican artists for centuries descend to some degree from Santería beliefs in the powers
of the saints (although many Puerto Ricans may not be aware of the sources of this worship).
Many Puerto Ricans keep a collection of their favorite santos enshrined in a place of honor
in their homes, similar to shrines that West Africa's Yoruba people keep for their orishas
(spirits), like Yemanjá, the goddess of the sea.
Belief in the magical properties of small carved gods also recalls the island's early in-
habitants, the Taíno, who worshipped little stone cemíes (figurines) and believed in jupías,
spirits of the dead who roam the island at night to cause mischief.
Tens of thousands of islanders consult with curanderos (healers) when it comes to prob-
lems of love, health, employment, finance and revenge. Islanders also spend significant
amounts of money in botánicas: shops that sell herbs, plants, charms, holy water and books
on performing spirit rituals.
PUERTO RICO'S BEAUTIES
For all of Puerto Rico's lofty aspirations regarding gender equality, this island abso-
lutely adores the time-honored ritual of good old-fashioned female objectification: the
beauty pageant. On most progressive issues of gender equality, Puerto Rico can shame
other Latin American countries…at least until it's time to dust off the rhinestone tiara
and satin sash and crown a beauty queen. The island's near obsession with beauty pa-
geants has paid off, too. In the big enchilada, the annual Miss Universe pageant,
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