Traditions and Customs in Matanzas
The Colla Festival
Former festival in honor of the Virgin of Montserrate (Verge Morenta), patron of Catalonia, which began to be held in Matanzas in 1871. From 1981 onwards as part of the activities for the culture week the tour is done on behalf of of the old Colla. The Catalans and their descendants in Matanzas have maintained, during all those years, the pilgrimage that takes place on December 8, the day of the founding of the Hermitage, and which is known as the best preserved Catalan tradition on the Island.
Read more... The Rule of Ocha or Cuban Santeria
It is a religious expression that has had and has great importance for the traditional Cuban popular culture, and especially for the Matancera, where its practice is alive in numerous house-temples, in the neighborhoods of the marina, Simpson and Pueblo Nuevo, fundamentally.
Magic-religious practices of origin will plow
The towns with the greatest presence will be: Perico, Agramonte, Cárdenas, Jovellanos and Matanzas.
Ganga Longoba Rule
At present, the syncretic product of their religious practices is only kept alive in a family in the town of Perico, Matanzas.
Iyessá Rule
Survival of certain rituals, music and songs associated with the foundation in Matanzas, on June 24, 1845, of the Cabildo Iyessá Modú San Juan Bautista.
Dance of the gingham and the guayabera
It takes place in the month of February and emerged in the town of Los Arabos, but it became a popular traditional dance in the city of Matanzas. During the dance a competition was held to determine the three couples that best danced the danzón.