26 Apr 2020

There are many dates to celebrate in May, even if you don't like hummus

Workers' Day parades in Cuba typically include many flags, banners, placards and signs!
 
May is a busy month, as far as Mother Nature is concerned. Flowers are blooming. The birds and the bees are busy. All kinds of reproductive things are happening. For many humans, however, it's a rather slow month regarding regularly scheduled holidays.

Sure, there's May 1st, known as May Day to some and Labour Day to others. It's now noted as International Workers' Day on many calendars around the world but it's not always avidly celebrated. Mother's Day is pretty universally acknowledged as a card-carrying holiday, of course, but nobody gets the day off work, not even mothers. Mexico's Cinco de Mayo is gaining popularity beyond the country's borders but is still really just a national fiesta. In most parts of Canada, Victoria Day is a big deal but, even though it's generally seen as a national holiday, it isn't observed in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia or Newfoundland. 

There are also several obscure, theoretically worldwide holidays, like International Tuba Day and International Hummus Day. They're not yet sanctioned by the United Nations but, perhaps, there are some tuba players and hummus eaters pushing for that. Before officially observing either of those, though, I suspect the U.N. would likely recognize International Workers' Day. If/when they do, Cuba can lead the way!

Cuba has a trifecta of significant dates to celebrate in May, beginning with Workers' Day, which is marked with great hoopla. Even in small communities in the country's rural areas, there are parades, speeches, music and much waving of flags and placards. On May 1, the party is on! My friends on the island have told me that, despite the ubiquitous marches, the follow-up activities are not as community-wide as they once were. There are still many pig roasts but, now, the festivities are more familial. But, naturally, there will be a bit of beer drinking and socializing in the streets too. Es Cuba!


In Pilón, the dignitaries are ensconced on a nice, sunny balcony to view the parade.
























The second big-deal date is Mother's Day. It only makes sense, since Cubans are so family oriented. Now that the Internet is more accessible, many of my friends send me greetings on May 10, complete with glittering hearts and flashing flowers, even though they know I'm not a mother! They tell me I'm "like a mother" to many people – a nice compliment. However, some cubanos find it hard to imagine that a woman might choose not to have children.

On one of my earliest trips, I was going from Pilón to Marea del Portillo in a taxi, which is about a 15-minute ride, depending on the state of the road. To fill the time, the driver and I did our best to chat. Neither of us was fluent in the other's native tongue, so it was a challenge. "You have...uh...niños?" he asked.

"No," I replied, shrugging. I noted that I had a cat and a dog, though – "Tengo un gato y un perro."

He shook his head sadly. "No niños. Lo siento." He was sorry for me. Holding up multiple fingers, he explained that he had several. I forget the exact number but he was well on his way to creating his own soccer team. Then, with a wink and a modified pantomime, he offered his services to me for procreation purposes. In Spanglish, he pointed out he had a proven track record in that department and he would be happy to help. "No hay problema!" 

I politely declined. "No, gracias." I'm sure I blushed but I didn't feel like I needed to jump out of the car and run away. He wasn't menacing or pushy; he just made his friendly offer and took no for an answer. However, when we arrived at my destination and I prepared to exit the vehicle, he did encourage me to call him later, if I changed my mind. I didn't. It's a funny little story to me now because I understood that he didn't mean any harm and truly believed I would want to be a mother, if I could. 

Another woman who never had any children but was motherly to many cubanos is the reason for a third important date in May. Celia Sánchez Manduley was born on May 9 and, if she were still alive in 2020, she would be 100 years old. She's such a significant part of Cuba's history, though, that I think she deserves to be featured separately. Check back for more... coming soon!

Keep smiling,
Jenny

Celia Sánchez lived in Pilón for many years, so images of her are featured in parades there.

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