The unveiled beauty of cedar and yarey palm: the handcraft of one Cuban traditional group of Haitian descent

Abstract

The different Latin American handcraft tells us stories from any material used in the piece. Their differences have been nourished by ancient ethnic roots and they are based in the diversity of each continental region. The crafts are as mixed as Latin America itself. In Cuba, this kind of good is created by subjects who are far away from the academic sector. The empirical knowledge is transmitted from one generation to the next, within the same community and/ or family, and consequently, historical value is added to this production, rather than its use value. The present paper exposed the handcrafts made by a descendant family from Haitian immigrants, known as “The Richards” who have settled down in a rural place located in the East part of Cuba. They are heir of a long tradition proceeding from this nearby country. Their familiar social practices creating their handcraft and also music contribute to the neighbor community. Qualitative perspective used through some in-depth interviews and the ethnographic observation allow not only examine their history and the different ways to make their goods, but also to expose their creative values and the importance of this family as a traditional group within the region and the nets of institutional structure of the East part of this Caribbean island.