|
AFTER the voyages of Columbus,
subsequent expeditions began to bring waves of
Arabs to the Americas. They had been conquered;
they were fleeing from intolerance and the
Inquisition.
|
El Arabe restaurant
in Oficios Sreet,
beside the City
Museum in the Plaza
de Armas.
One of the first restaurants for
Arab
dishes was constructed in
Escaleras
de Jaruco, Habana
province. |
Not only did Arabs arrive in Havana
during the 16th, and especially the 17th
centuries, but they also brought with them a
reflection of their culture, which had penetrated
the natives of Andalucia and Córdoba, whose spirit
is strongly felt in historic Old Havana. One has
only to observe the reconstructed palaces, their
courtyards, balconies, grounds; in sum, their
architecture. That also goes for the other parts
of Cuba.
Something that is not so well known.
if they were from Northern Africa – Senegal, Mali,
Gambia and Guinea – the slaves brought to the
island from the earliest times of the Spanish
conquest, also brought with them the stamp of
Islam. For that reason, we shouldn’t be surprised
that Arab words appear in their songs and
religious rituals.
A great mass of Arab immigrants came
to our coasts from the end of the 19th century and
continuing until the middle of the 20th century.
No less than 40,000 of them formed associations in
Havana, while others did so in the interior of the
country.
In the area located along the main
street of Monte, between Indio and San Nicolás
streets in downtown Havana, a neighborhood
spontaneously began to form that still maintains
its characteristics.
In honor of this immigration that
fused with the Cuban people, a few years ago a
monument was erected in a park located in the
triangle formed by Monte, Aguila and Maloja
streets, part of that same neighborhood.
Arabs fought for Cuba during the
Wars of Independence, such as Comandante Elías
Tuma, who was Lebanese. In the enclave of Virgen
del Camino, in the municipality of San Miguel de
Padrón, the residents created a monument to
"Tomasito," as Dr. Tomás Tuma Isa was known. He
was a physician committed to every sick person who
needed his help, at a time when public health was
precarious and abandoned by the governments of
capitalist Cuba.
Cubans of Arab origin also fought in
the battle for a socialist society. One example
was Captain Antonio Daud, who was Palestinian. In
this battle for freedom, which still continues, we
should point to figures such Alfredo Yabur, former
minister of Justice; philosopher and teacher
Gaspar García Galló, and poet Fayad Jamis, the son
of Palestinians.
Separately, we should highlight
scientist Pedro Kourí Esmeja, a parasitologist who
founded the Institute of Tropical Medicine that
bears his name. And of our José Martí, we may
recall his adolescent drama, Abdala, about
an Islamic hero, who defended and died for his
homeland. Almost a premonition.
When the sons and daughters of
today’s Arab countries visit us, they find those
historic influences and a living presence of their
humanity.
Oh, and that habit that cannot be
forgotten – cooking – is alive in Havana. One
outstanding example is the El Arabe restaurant on
Oficios street, next to the Museo de la Ciudad
(City Museum) in the Plaza de Armas.
That Arab influence will also be
present at the 2004 International Culinary
Festival, scheduled for September 13-19 at
Havana’s Hotel Nacional, and in November, during
the 485th anniversary of Havana. (Granma) Havana. September 1,
2004 | 
