The
Puerto Rican culture began to develop in the pre- Hispanic Indian migration. It
was mixed with the Spanish and African presence. The mix of Indians, Spanish,
and black elements is totally entwined in the ethnic and spiritual structure of
the population. Their Primary language is Spanish and most of its literature is written in Spanish. The music, arts and folklore are totally tuned to all the
elements of the islands.
Their
arts and crafts were displayed in many museums in Puerto Rico. Their most
impressive craft are the religious figures that have been produced since the
1500’s. Crafts people who make these are called santero’s; using clay, gold,
stone, or cedar wood, they carved figurines representing saints usually from 8
to 20 inches tall. These crafts were a great contribution to the plastic arts a
strong Spanish influence.
The most popular of all Puerto Rican crafts are the frightening caretas
papier-mache’ masks worn at island carnivals. These masks and carnivals
may go back to medieval Spain and tribal Africa.
It
was intended to terrify sinners with marching devils in hope to return them back
to church. The predominant mask colors, at least traditionally, were black, red
and yellow. All symbols of hellfire and damnation. Today pastels are more likely
used, each vejigante sports at least two or three horns, although some masks may
have hundreds of horns in all shapes and sizes. These masks are sold at the
festival of Loiza Aldea in July, and the Dia de las Mascaras at Hatillo in
December.
The
Puerto Ricans love their native land and this is constantly expressed in their
arts. The Puerto Ricans who have left the islands for the United States still
maintain a strong identity with Puerto Rico and still speak Spanish. They also
still prefer Puerto Rican foods and their own music. Most of their music was
about the three social levels of their culture. That’s the culture of Puerto
Rico.
http://welcome.topuertorico.org/culture/artsc.shtml
http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1987/1/87.01.04.x.html