Collection of Haitian Traditions in Cuban Culture

The songs and rhythms of the historic tumba francesa continue to influence various Cuban musical styles, as demonstrated by Guantánamo musician and researcher Ramón Gómez Blanco during the cultural gathering Two Languages, One Path, held at the Tumba Francesa Pompadour Santa Catalina de Ricci. The event took place as part of the activities commemorating Haitian Day in Cuba.

Gómez Blanco explained how the sounds produced with the catá, tamborita, and premier—which harmonize in the rhythms of the masón—are also performed in the congas and paseos of eastern Cuba, in the son montuno, and in the danzón, the latter regarded as Cuba’s national dance.

He also pointed out that “the primary rhythmic cells of the masón appear in the climactic farewell of the changüí, a genre that is part of this territory’s cultural heritage, while the gagá of Haiti is echoed in the Anglo-Caribbean calypso.” Gómez Blanco is also the author of the didactic book Vamos a cantar Changüí.

Two Languages, One Path is part of the itinerary of the Guantánamo Orality Festival 2026 and coincides with the celebrations for Haitian Day in Cuba. This year’s commemoration, on September 24, marks the 99th anniversary of the birth of Emilio Bárcenas Pier, a martyr born in the former Ermita sugar mill, today known as Costa Rica, who fought in the Rebel Army.

In the following feature, journalist Yaquelín de la Rosa Hermida provides further details about the activities held for Haitian Day in Cuba.