Puerto Rico, a Unique Culture: History, People and Traditions

By Hilda Iriarte

Puerto Rico, a Unique Culture: History, People and Traditions is a delightful and enjoyable must-buy book about this Caribbean island, written from the viewpoint of Puerto Rican author Hilda Iriarte. Recent events have placed the island in the news. Learn about its unique history, the people that have distinguished themselves as firsts in their fields, some of its traditions, and relevant facts. You will learn much more to be able to understand the culture and the love of the people for their island. Learn about the many Puerto Ricans that have distinguished themselves in the world with their tenacity, hard work, and distinct personalities, having to sometimes rise above difficult odds.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press
• Release date: Jun 27, 2018
• ISBN: 9781982205973

Hilda Iriarte

Hilda Iriarte is the author of the book, Puerto Rico, A Unique Culture. www.hildairiarte.com Following Hurricane Maria, Iriarte was compelled to bring greater awareness and concern to the island of Puerto Rico, its infrastructure and its political problems while also informing readers about its people, history and traditions. She was one of the many Puerto Ricans left without basic utility services after the path of cat. 4, Hurricane María. She was also concerned about the lack of knowledge about Puerto Rico that many English speaking-persons have about the island. In this book, the reader can find many interesting historical facts and important details about the “Island of Enchantment” as it is called, and the cultural differences that exist with other countries. The reader will also find a chapter in this book that offers details and important information about many Puerto Rican people and personalities from all walks of life, including important sports figures, politicians, arts and entertainment, scientists and other important fields. Iriarte has a B.A. degree in Sociology and Political Sciences from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus (UPR-RP) and has post-graduate studies in Education from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico (PCUPR) in Ponce, P.R. As a member of Rotary International District 7000, she volunteers as newsletter editor of her Club and believes in Service Above Self, the Rotary International Motto.

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Copyright © 2018 Hilda Iriarte.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

The author of this book does not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical problems without the advice of a physician, either directly or indirectly. The intent of the author is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your quest for emotional and spiritual well-being. In the event you use any of the information in this book for yourself, which is your constitutional right, the author and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

ISBN: 978-1-9822-0595-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9822-0596-6 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-9822-0597-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018906812

Balboa Press rev. date: 02/10/2020

DEDICATION AND

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This book is dedicated to all the Disaster Relief Personnel

and all the Puerto Rican people and celebrities who donated

their time, work and contributions to help the island recover

from the catastrophic events that occurred with the passing

of Hurricane Maria in September of 2017. Thank you so

much to all the people who came to Puerto Rico to assist us.

********

I am most grateful for the incredible help and support of

my children, R.C., G.C. and J.C. after the disaster during

those dark and difficult months without electricity.

Thanks to my grandson, W. for his encouragement

and illustration and the photo collaborators, Carmen

Iriarte Saunders, Carlos M. Velez-Pereira, Narmo

L. Ortiz-Medina, Astrid Cruz, and Gigi Capo.

CONTENTS

Preface

Introduction

History of Puerto Rico’s Coat of Arms

The Puerto Rican Flag and the Official Flags of Puerto Rico

Chapter 1     Discovery of The New World

Chapter 2     The Discovery of Puerto Rico

Chapter 3     Taino Indians and the Taíno Vocabulary

Chapter 4     The Spanish Colonization Period

Chapter 5     Our Heritage and Cultural Influences

Chapter 6     The Fort of San Felipe del Morro

Chapter 7     The English Attack of 1797

Chapter 8     Consequences of the Spanish-American War

Chapter 9     Location and Smaller Islands of Puerto Rico

Chapter 10  *Distinguished People and Personalities

Chapter 11  Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

Chapter 12  The Historic November 2004 Elections

Chapter 13  Distinguished Politicians and Governors

Chapter 14  Beauty Pageants in Puerto Rico

Chapter 15  Customs and Traditions in Puerto Rico

Chapter 16  Famous Legends and Folklore

Chapter 17  Native Birds of Puerto Rico

Chapter 18  Hurricanes in Puerto Rico

Chapter 19  Hurricane María in 2017

Chapter 20  Ponce, A City to Visit

Difference between Patriotism and Nationalism

Bibliography

PREFACE

Puerto Rico, A Unique Culture, is a book written mainly for all those who want to learn more about the unique island of Puerto Rico, its history, its people and the hurricanes that affect us. The island is in the news a lot lately, but maybe not for all the best reasons. The incredibly devastating effects of Hurricane María in September of 2017, preceded by Hurricane Irma just one week before that, transformed the island and its people. Everyone living on the island was affected one way or another.

The lack of electrical power for months for large parts of the population has been a serious and difficult problem to cope with. The hurricane affected all parts of the island including Old San Juan and the Condado tourist area. The least fortunate lost their roofs, or worse yet, their homes. The mountainous regions of the island were greatly affected. It is reassuring that so many people and celebrities wanted to help Puerto Rico, because help is still needed and we are grateful for it. Puerto Rico is slowly beginning to recover from this catastrophic event with the help of FEMA, donations from people and celebrities and other companies.

I was born and have resided in Puerto Rico for most of my life, although I lived in the U.S. for many years, and attended school in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Chicago, Illinois and Clearwater, Florida. This was due to my father’s engineering work and his studies in nuclear engineering as the alternative for electrical power in Puerto Rico, but I consider Puerto Rico my home.

People have often told me, You don’t look Puerto Rican. I used to find this somewhat perplexing. Maybe it is because they don’t consider me the typical Puerto Rican. I have come to realize that some people often do tend to stereotype other people from a different country or culture. There are many kinds of people who are born in Puerto Rico just like there are many kinds of persons in any other country in the world and one should learn not to stereotype people from any country or any culture.

Puerto Rico is a unique, diverse and vibrant island in the Caribbean where the Castilian-Spanish language is mostly spoken. Castilian-Spanish because we inherited it from our Spanish ancestors who spoke the language.

The English language is also spoken of course, more so especially in certain sectors of the population for tourism, business, for the medical profession and terms, for engineering, architecture, banks and financial institutions, where it is required. English is taught in schools since the elementary grades. There are also all many private schools with an all English curriculum.

English, in Public Schools is mostly spoken and taught only in the English class and the rest of the curriculum is in Spanish, except the School of San Juan that is an exception.

Puerto Ricans are very passionate about the use of our Spanish language and about our way of life, our identity, traditions, our music, sports, our politics, our celebrities and typical foods. These are all, a very important part of being a Puerto Rican from the Island of Enchantment. It is my hope to address in general terms just some of the many faceted sides of Puerto Rico in this book.

In July of 2019, the historical, unprecedented events that erupted into street protests were of never before seen proportions. The protests were organized by the Puerto Rican people from all walks of life and all political parties. It was in that Summer of 2019 that Puerto Ricans became one. It is one of the best examples of the reason for the title of my book,Puerto Rico, A Unique Culture.

Other cultures might not understand the situation that occurred, or might misinterpret it, because they do not know the Puerto Rican culture. Puerto Ricans have a sense of dignity and pride about who we are as a people and about how others should be treated. It was not a planned event by any political party or any politically motivated group. It was a unique event in the history of the island, in the era of modern communications, in our unique culture.

Puerto Ricans decided to spontaneously unite and express their indignation towards a serious, unexpected, offensive to all situation. The people felt the governor’s conduct was intolerable.

This all occurred after numerous, unbelievable, offensive, scandalous, homophobic and extremely demeaning Telegram chats from the governor of Puerto Rico, were leaked to the press. In the many chats with his associates, the governor made fun of some of our most revered celebrities, common people, Hurricane María victims, politicians and other Puerto Ricans. He had managed to offend everyone. It was an unexpected turn of events.

The people were outraged about the governor’s comments and what seemed to be a pattern of behavior on his part, due to the great amount of offensive and insulting comments in numerous chats.

The events culminated in massive street protests that were organized by the people with the intent to oust the incumbent elected governor from office. The people were determined and felt they had been deceived.

On July 22, 2019, thousands of Puerto Ricans, from all walks of life, and all political parties marched together, side by side, in the streets towards the governor’s mansion demanding his resignation.

The protests went on for days and nights in front of La Fortaleza, the governor’s mansion, and in the surrounding streets of Old San Juan.

In the 12 historical days of protests that followed, the united citizens of the island managed to peacefully remove for the first time a democratically elected governor, from public office.

On August 2, 2019, the governor finally officially resigned.

INTRODUCTION

A positive outlook about the island of Puerto Rico.

In this book, you will find interesting and important facts about our history and the native inhabitants of the island, the Taíno Indians, and their civilization period. You will also find unique facts about its people, personalities, traditions and idiosyncrasies.

Also explained are the more contemporary historical events that in my opinion remain to be the most unique, relevant, outstanding and fascinating facts of general interest that have formed our identity, our people, our culture and how our way of life was shaped thru the different periods of time, thru colonialism and the development of the island.

These facts have contributed to distinguish the Puerto Rican people, its culture and pride in their identity from countries in the Caribbean and elsewhere. Puerto Ricans might sometimes have to depart the island in search of better jobs or opportunities, but their love and concern for their island always remains and never leaves their hearts.

Puerto Ricans living elsewhere always yearn to come back and visit this warm, sunny, Caribbean island. This is due, in my opinion, to the passionate and strong emotional bond Puerto Ricans feel for their family, birthplace and ancestry.

The book is not only a vast insight into our history, but also an insight into our rich and unique culture, our customs and traditions, our hospitality, our music, our sports, some of our entertainers, distinguished personalities, fashion designers, popular beauty pageants and the most important feature of all, our Spanish language of Castilian heritage. Here you will find some information about political facts, special and unique places to visit around the island, important dates and personalities and other interesting facts about our island, that is small-in-size but never in achievements. And as I always say, you will always find a Puerto Rican wherever you travel to around the world, in any destination. And that There is no other country in the world, as small, whose citizens have achieved so much with so little. I am sure that many Puerto Ricans will agree with my opinion.

Puerto Ricans can be said to be sometimes complacent, but also determined, unwavering, hard-working and tenacious people. Many have excelled and distinguished themselves in many fields and professions, such as arts and entertainment, theatre, music, science, engineering, medicine, health, the legal field, architecture, sports, fashion, cuisine and many other fields or professions where they may possess the talent or capacity to prominently distinguish themselves. Puerto Ricans also love to travel around the world in search of new challenges, new horizons, better jobs, opportunities or adventures.

According to an interesting article that appeared in the Orlando Sentinel, Florida newspaper poll, in March of 2005, the island of Puerto Rico is considered The Happiest Place on Earth. With this I must agree, because Puerto Ricans have a way of forgetting their troubles and will always be in a festive mood for a celebration, no matter what their problems may be.

Would you believe it is the only place in the world where you will see Puerto Ricans applaud as their plane lands on the island at the (LMM), Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport, to celebrate the arrival of coming home.

The funny thing is, that sometimes you find yourself joining in the fun and emotion and clapping along, while someone looks at you weirdly. It is like letting go of the anxiety some people feel about flying and perhaps part of the unique, emotional and passionate personality of the Puerto Ricans. The arrival on the island is usually a joyous moment of celebration upon returning safely home. Sometimes, if no one claps, even the captain or a stewardess of the airplane, expecting it, will often ask what happened.

Puerto Rico is a beautiful island and a golfer’s, boaters and fishermen’s paradise and for those who practice these sports. There are many beautiful golf courses where you can play golf all year round since the warm weather permits it.

The island is surrounded by the azure blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean to the North where you can go deep sea fishing, and by the beautiful, usually more tranquil, turquoise blue waters of the Caribbean Sea to the South where different kinds of fish abound. You can also take an excursion trip or rent a boat as well as go Fly-Fishing. There are many Yacht Clubs around the island where you can sometimes also anchor or rent a boat.

The capital of the island, San Juan Bautista, is also a popular tourist place to visit and board cruise ships. There are numerous excursions to historic and interesting places as well as to practice horseback riding, sailing, fishing, catamaran, hang gliding or a Segway Tour of Old San Juan as well. The new extreme adventure sport now is Zip-lining, although I myself will not attempt it or recommend it, for the young and adventurous, or those who think they still are, it is the latest craze. You can try it at your own risk or just visit the beautiful, picturesque mountains located in the town of Orocóvis where you can watch or practice Zip-lining at the Toro Verde Adventure Park that is on Road PR 155. The park opens from 8am to 5pm. There are also other places for this sport, now open in the Guaynabo area.

In the mountains of Utuado, you can also visit the Batey Zip-line Adventure and Tours where there is also horseback riding and rappelling. It is located near the Caguana Ceremonial Indigenous Park in the town of Utuado.

Another popular sport that has long been practiced in Puerto Rico is Surfing. The west coast and the beaches of Rincon are very famous all over the world for this sport. Competitions are held attracting younger surfers every year from all over the world. There are many places to stay and inns and hotels in this area called Porta del Sol in Rincón and in the city of Mayagüez.

Another sport that has recently gained even more popularity is Tennis. This after our great Olympic star, Monica Puig, won our first gold medal ever for Puerto Rico in the Women’s Singles Competition at the 2016 Summer Olympics held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was exciting to watch Monica play in the Olympics and see her win the match with the German born tennis great, Angelique Kerber. It was years of sacrifice, dedication and passion on Monica’s part that was a determining factor for her victory. It was equally exciting to watch her receive the gold medal on the medal stand while the national anthem from Puerto Rico, La Borinqueña, was played in the background.

Monica serves as a great example for future Puerto Rican and other future generations of what you can accomplish thru sacrifice, tenacity, and years of dedication to a sport or any other field.

In the sport of Table Tennis, it is the young determined athlete, Adriana Diaz, from Utuado, who has been winning many gold medals for Puerto Rico in international competitions of this sport. She competed in the ITTF World Tour U21 where she won gold on August 20th, 2017. Adriana made history in September 2017 as the first Puerto Rican to win a gold medal in the Pan American Adult Table Tennis Championship celebrated in Cartagena, Colombia. In 2019, Adriana won 4 gold medals in Lima, Peru 2019, Pan-American Games.

Adriana was also nominated for the 2019 New Generation PanAm Sports Awards for the Most Influential Teen of 2019 Award Category. She appeared on Teen Vogue Magazine’s Most Influential Teen List _of young women 21 years or younger in the December 2019 issue.

Matthew Hay Brown, columnist of the Orlando Sentinel newspaper once wrote an article on the topic in the newspapers March 27, 2005 edition states that Puerto Rico or The Island of Enchantment, as it is called, is a U.S. territory with sandy beaches and a lush rainforest, has close knit families and endless celebrations.

Puerto Rico has the longest Christmas celebrations in the world. The festivities usually start just after Thanksgiving in November. In some towns, it ends in February due to all the patron saint festivities that continue just after Three Kings Day or Epiphany Day celebrated January 6th.

The island is according to this study, considered to be home to the happiest people in the world. Puerto Rican radio and local television personality and great motivational speaker, Lily Garcia, says this is because the Latin temperament of Puerto Ricans is a very optimistic one. It is also a place according to another person polled, where we value friends and family a lot. This is because Puerto Ricans are mainly a family oriented society.

A brief study of our history will reveal how the combination of the different influences, the island has received over the centuries, have slowly helped to form the identity and unique personality of Puerto Ricans.

Old San Juan is a truly beautiful city with a unique charm of its own that brings many tourists every year to the island, not only because of its tropical climate but also because of its historical beauty and charm. Many visitors come yearly to the old city to board the cruise lines. The beautiful cruise ships dock at the piers from different companies such as, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Disney Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises are just some. Many others anchor in Old San Juan and at the Pan American Pier in Miramar. It is our diverse mixture of different races and our unique cultural heritage that have contributed to form our authentic identity. Mentioned here are the four most influential cultural influences Puerto Rico has received thru the centuries.

The immigration of people from a diverse mixture of different racial backgrounds and cultural heritage to the island has continued thru the decades influencing our vibrant culture that is in constant evolution. These new influences are and will be a constant factor.

The next chapters, will first explain about the Pre-Columbian colonization period of the island and the arrival of the Spaniards and how here lived a peaceful civilization called the Tainos. Prior to them were the Saladoids or Igneris. The Igneris civilization is considered the first period of indigenous people to have inhabited the island. The periods can be scientifically divided into three or four different indigenous eras according to Puerto Rican historian, Dr. Ricardo Alegría. Most importantly included in this book are up to date interesting facts about Puerto Rico, its traditions, its people, geographical location, places of interest, its music, politics, status, events and many other relevant, interesting and sometimes little known facts about the island. For those who have never heard about the island, this book attempts to help explain in simple and general terms more than just about the history of Puerto Rico, The Island of Enchantment."

History of Puerto Rico’s Coat of Arms

Puerto Rico’s beautiful Coat of Arms dates back from the 1500’s to the colonization period of the island. It is considered the oldest heraldic illustration of a Coat of Arms that still remains in use today in the New World. The letters F and Y at the left and right sides with a crown above them symbolize the reigning monarchs of Castile and Leon, Queen Ysabel I from (1451-1504), then spelled with a Y, and King Fernando II of Aragon (1452-1516). The two were monarchs by their own right, Queen Ysabel inherited from her brother the kingdom of Castile and León and King Fernando II inherited the kingdom of Aragón from his father. This made the marriage union between them even a more powerful one.

The white lamb sitting in the middle represents the symbol of Saint John the Baptist. The castles, lions, flags and the Jerusalem Crosses represent the different kingdoms that the monarchs ruled over at the time of the discovery. The Catholic Monarchs, King Fernando II de Aragón and Queen Ysabel de Castilla, (Isabel then written with a Y), governed among others, the kingdoms of Castile, León, Aragón and Sicily. These are the symbols of the union of their kingdoms. The yoke and arrows represent the personal emblems used by King Fernando and Queen Isabel, under whose reign Puerto Rico was discovered. The green color in the background represents the vegetation and greenery of the lands. These are the symbols of the union of their kingdoms. The Latin inscription "JOANNES EST NOMEN EIUS" at the bottom of the coat of arms means, "Juan is your name." The original