Cuban Embassy Celebrates Black History Month with Poetry and Prose, Dancing and Drumming, Rice and Beans

WASHINGTON DC – Last week, the Cuban Embassy here hosted a vibrant event in honor of Black History Month, celebrating the enduring connections between the African Diaspora and the United States.  The evening featured the inauguration of a juried student photography exhibit showcasing the talents of photographers from the University of the District of Columbia and American University and inspired by the work of Cuban poet, Nancy Morejón, and U.S. author, Alice Walker, the first African-American woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, for her novel, “The Color Purple.”

USA Rice staff were among the attendees who received a warm welcome from the Cuban Ambassador.
 
The program included a scholarly presentation on the tradition of the "Cabildo de Regla."  Historically, "cabildos de nación" were African ethnic associations established in Cuba during the late 16th century, modeled after Spanish cofradías (guilds or fraternities).  These cabildos served as cultural and religious hubs where African slaves and their descendants could preserve and celebrate their heritage.  In particular, the Cabildo de Regla in Havana has been instrumental in maintaining Afro-Cuban religious processions, notably the annual September 9th Orisha processionals.
 
The evening continued with dynamic performances of traditional African drumming and folkloric dance, embodying the rich cultural tapestry shared by Cuban and African-American communities.  Following the performances, guests enjoyed a reception featuring several Cuban dishes including “arroz moro” (rice and beans), symbolizing the culinary ties that bind these cultures.
 
“This event underscored the deep-rooted historical and cultural connections between Cuba and the African-American community, highlighting a shared heritage that continues to inspire and unite,” said Asiha Grigsby, USA Rice senior director of international promotion for the Western Hemisphere who was in attendance.  

Last year the U.S. exported more than two thousand metric tons of rice to Cuba, valued at more than two million dollars.