Hola Amigos

La bienvenida a

Puerto Rico

Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island and

unincorporated U.S. territor

Puerto Rico is anarchipelagothat
includes the main island of Puerto Rico
and a number of smaller islands, the
largest of which are Vieques, Culebra ,
and Mona.

Origin of race or ethnic group

(geographic location)
Originally populated for centuries byaboriginalpeople

known asTaino, the island was claimed byChristopher

Columbusfor Spain during his second voyage to the
Americas on November 19, 1493.
Puerto Rico remained a Spanish colony until 1898.
Despite theLaws of Burgosof 1512, Tano people were
forced intoslaveryin the early years of colonization.
The population suffered extremely high fatalities from
epidemics of Europeaninfectious diseases.

Origin of race or ethnic group (geographic location)

During the four centuries of Spanish rule, the island's
culture and physical landscape were transformed.
European knowledge, customs and traditions were
introduced, namely Roman Catholicism, theSpanish
language, and advances inagriculture.

How are cultural values passed from generation to

generation?

In Puerto Rico and in Puerto Rican Culture, children

normally receive two types of education. Firstly, they

have a school education which is mandated until the
child is of adult age. Secondly, Puerto Rican children
receive an at-home education as well. This is where
the traditional values of the family and culture are
learned.

What are gender roles male and

females?
Gender relations have become increasingly
egalitarian. When the island had a subsistence
lifestyle, women were important economic producers
in rural households and outside the home. The ideal
of the home-tending housewife has been honored
among the middle and upper classes but has become
impractical.
The Relative Status of Women and Men. There is a
long standing tradition of women being active in
public life as intellectuals, writers, activists,
politicians, and professionals. When womens suffrage
was approved in 1932, Puerto Rico elected the first
women legislator in the Western Hemisphere.

What kind of society matriarch or patriarch

In the past the Puerto Rican culture honored

a patriarch style living. Though, in the past

years gender relations have become
increasingly egalitarian.

What are rites of passage?

The rites of passage in Puerto Rico are mainly

those of the Catholic Church. Soon after a child

is born it is baptized, and great emphasis is
often placed on thepadrinos(godparents). First
Holy Communion is cause for great celebration.
Death is mourned in much the same way as on
the U.S. mainland.

Family structure & Marriage

Puerto Ricans consider family life a core cultural value; family

and kin are viewed as the most enduring and reliable support
group network.
Despite a high divorce rate and an increase in serial
monogamy, most people prefer marriage to living
together.Today courting is based on group or individual
daring rather than chaperoned outings.

Wedding ceremonies may be religious or secular but

preferably include receptions for relatives and friends.

Although remaining single is increasingly acceptable,
marriage is an important marker of adulthood.

Traditions/Celebrations or Rituals:
Puerto Rican culture is greatly seen in

festivities. They have the longest

Christmas starting from November 23 to
the end of January when the Fiesta de la
Calle San Sebastian.
During Christmas, they do carols with
family and friends in the early morning. In
addition to that, they also celebrate
Epiphany.
Lastly, they celebrate the Night of Saint
John. This is where jump backwards into the
sea seven times in belief that they will get
rid of bad luck.

Communication Pattern:
Puerto Ricans communicate verbally. They have

written literature, but that was done in the 19th

century. The people use a lot of gestures and try to
use euphemism instead of being really direct so
they will not come off as being rude.

Lifestyle:

The Puerto Rican lifestyle was heavily influenced by

groups of people such as the Tainos, Europeans,

Africans, and the Americans. Their language, food,
and celebrations were impacted. Nowadays, they
are being heavily influenced by the western society
however it still keeps some of their traditions and
customs.

Language:

English and Spanish are the official languages.

However Spanish is used more often nowadays.
Their language is affected by Tainos, Amerindians that were on
Puerto Rico before the European rule, and the African language.
English
Pigeon
Pea
hurricane
hammock

Spanish
Gadul

African
gandul

Taino
-----

hurakan
hamaca

orkaan
hangmat

hurakan
hamaca

Culture:
Possessions: Musical instruments such as the maracas and

guiro (hollow gourd). They have art paintings, masks

(adorned with horns), and laces which were manually made.
Used a fishing tooth or a stingray spine for the spearhead.
Money: Used peso during the colonization of Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rican bilingual notes of 200 pesos were printed and
used. Now they currently use USD but they still refer to the
money as pesos or dolar.
Food: Dishes consist of tropical fruits and veggies, seafood,
condiments, rice, and beans. Spanish people introduced
wheat products, pork, and cattle. Rum and coffee are the
popular beverages. Meals in Puerto Rican tradition follow the
Spanish custom: breakfast, large midday meal, and a
modest supper. Some local dishes are Arroz con Gandulez
(rice and pigeon peas) and tostones (fried plantains).

Culture:
Education: In Puerto, there is Instruction and Education.

Instruction is when kids learn in an educational system

whereas Education is when kids learn respect and how to be
polite. These people believe that education is really important.
Elementary education is mandatory however the people prefer
private schooling rather than a public education system.
Stereotypes and Myths:
Stereotypes:
* Love to eat rice and beans
* Love to dance, love clubing/night life
* Have disruptive parades in urban areas
* Associated with drug dealers
* Perceived contributions to world are salsa singers
* Perception of being dark skinned

Myths:
The creature known asEl Chupacabra. It has been believed that it

terrorizes Puerto Rico,South America, and even parts of the U.S., for
quite some time now.Chupacabrameans "goat-sucker," and this
monster is known for sucking the blood of goats and other animals,
leaving nothing but a carcass and two small puncture wounds to
mark its deadly presence.
The Legend of the Hummingbird: A little bit like Romeo and Juliet.
Two lovers named Alida and Taroo fall in love. However, Alida's father
is against it and arranges a marriage for his daughter to get married
to another man. The girl prays to the gods to prevent her from
succumbing to that fate so the gods turned her into a red flower
Taroo, her lover, did not know what had happened so he waited for
her by the lake/pool. one night the moon took pity on him and told
him how she turned into a flower. He begged the gods to help him
find her, and once again they obliged, changing him into a
hummingbird.

Religion
Mostly Roman Catholic (85%) and

Protestant&others(15%)
Traditional Recreation:
Surfing. Snorkeling, Diving, and Sailing
Environment linked to population:
Puerto is a commonwealth and got colonized by Taino,
Europeans, and was influenced by Africans. So the
ethnicity or race are mostly Spanish (80.5%), then black
(8%), followed by Amerindian (0/4%), and then the others
(11.1%). The population is about 3.6 million according to
2014 reports and it is a large land that can accommodate
the large amount of people. It also has tropical forests
and the seas to supply the people with food and
resources.