Afro-Cuban

The term Afro-Cuban refers to descendants of African slaves in Cuba, and to cultural elements in Cuba thought to emanate from this community.

Demographics

Most Cubans (about 60 percent, according to a 2001 census) characterise themselves as mulatto, that is of mixed-race ancestry, while close to 15 percent characterise themselves as black. A large majority of those living on the island thus affirm some part of African ancestry. The matter is further complicated by the fact that a fair number of people still locate their origins in specific African ethnic groups or regions, particularly Yoruba and Congo, but also Arará, Carabalí, Mandingo, Fula and others. Nevertheless, and despite the egalitarian project of the Cuban revolution, racial discrimination still exits in Cuba, though arguably less so than in most other countries of the Americas, including the United States.

Related Topics:
Yoruba - Congo

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Though phenotypic aspects clearly dictate part of the perception of Afro-Cubanness or Afro-Cubanism, cultural aspects are equally important. Both blacks and whites participate to varying degrees in social and cultural conventions commonly understood to be Afro-Cuban. The most important of these are religion and music.

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