Cuban Culture
 

 Word Definitions:
 

 "Salpafuera"- (ex.: 'se formó el salpafuera') - no translation- A loud
situation between Cubans where there may or not be  physical violence.
Usually Cubans are seen running in different directions. Salpafueras usually
make it to the evening news.

"Rebambaramba"-no translation- This is the Cuban version of a holy
war, a revolution or a very intense fight. There is very loud arguing
between the involved parties, especially if the name Castro is mentioned.
This can happen also in a home, when the Cuban mother in law gives her
opinions, or in any street shootout. Cuban victims of Rebambaranbas end up
in local Emergency Rooms. Usually Americans do not understand the strange
reason behind Salpafueras and Rebambaranbas, it is beyond American
comprehension.

"Sopapo"- a slap- This is the Cuban version of a friendly slap, and nothing
to do with soap or soup. Sopapos can be mild, or very intense,bringing about
Sirimbas or, in worse cases, a  'patatús'. Cuban women with large behinds
are very good distributing  sopapos to Fresh Cuban men who pinch them,
especially if the man has  'Chochera',  a.k.a. 'viejos verdes'.

"Retortero" -no translation- To go around in endless circles with something
hanging from your body ("lo llevaba al retortero"),

"Racha" - events- A Cuban version  of a series of successive bad problems
(ex., 'una mala   racha'), like having your mother in  law move in with you,
running out of Cuban coffee, running out of!  pastelitos in a bakery,
getting stuck in traffic, and getting ran over by a  truck. Rachas are cured
by Santeros only, since they are usually due to a Mal de Ojo.

"Mal de Ojo"- the evil eye, a  curse-   This is the Cuban version of an
instant curse, and to prevent it, one must wear a black eye hanging from the
neck, or a specially blessed black bead, or  Azabache (black onyx).  Cuban
children are extremely susceptible to Mal de Ojo, more that Americans or any
other people in the world. It is thought that this tendency is worse in
healthy, beautiful babies who are envied by other parents that have scrawny
looking babies.

"Gallinero"- chicken coop- A  Cuban family reunion, where everyone is
talking at the same time, each in a louder voice, and  gesturing with the
hands (and feet sometimes). To form an instant Gallinero, one must have at
least three Cubans, and have the Paramedics ready, for Salpafueras, and
Rebambaranbas can happen rather quickly. A Gallinero is also common in the
SW area of Miami, Florida, where in each corner there are Little cafes that
promote Gallineros. A   gallinero, of course, can also refer to a gathering
of Cuban women....which can result in all kinds of 'salpafueras' and
rebambarambas".

"Sangandongo"- This is a  particularly large breed of Cubans who eat large
portions of black beans and rice all the time.  Sangandongos do not fit  in
regular car seats or airplane bathrooms, and  their toilet seats must be
custom made. Some Sangandongos are retarded.

"Simbombazo"- a hit- a Cuban  'missile'

"Sambumbia"- a mixture- Usually a very thick soup with everything but the
kitchen sink in it. A super typical Sambumbia has unknown ingredients, has
floating things, and causes severe  Empachos. Sambumbias arebest served with
platanos (verdes o maduros) and served in  deep dishes overflowing on the
sides.

"Sarrapastroso"-a Cuban beggar.  All Cuban communists. Usually they
smell very bad and are dressed in "Arapos", or  trapos.
 

We must cherish our culture and laugh big  time...

                                                                                              Spanish Version