The Keys are home to a blessedly diverse group of individuals who bring Haitian, Cuban, Eastern European, Jewish and other customs to the islands. More than a melting pot, the result is a community that encourages residents to retain their individuality, while also existing on a communal plane ó a microcosm of what the world at large can be in its finest moments.
During the holidays, those cultural differences are magnified in the best way possible, illuminating global rituals and traditions that have converged, of all places, on a slim ellipse of land south of Miami and north of Havana.
As people move throughout the country and the world, the continuation of traditions is a way of keeping family close regardless of geography, a security blanket of sorts.
Granted, the younger setís thoughts are typically focused more on the anticipation of gifts and food than on the cultural or historical implications of their traditions. But whether they realize it or not, the first bits of that knowledge are slowly seeping in.
In Key West, some local middle schoolers shared their favorite holiday traditions. From a Haitian child waiting for ìTonton NwËl,î as Santa Claus is called, to replace his straw-filled shoes with gifts, to a young Jewish girl shredding potatoes with her mother and grandmother for latkes, these kids are continuing cultural traditions with every bite and lighted candle.
Christiana appreciates her motherís Haitian tradition of ìsoup joumou,î or pumpkin soup, on New Yearís Day. The dish celebrates the nationís declaration of independence from France on Jan. 1, 1804. ìShe always makes this famous soup and friends will come over to celebrate.î
Joshua said he appreciates the different ways cultures celebrate the holidays and enjoys learning about ó and tasting ó othersí favorite holiday foods.
Koi proves that some traditions transcend cultural boundaries. ìSometimes, my dad will let me pick one present and open it on Christmas Eve. But you should always shake the present and find out what it is.î
Genesis knows the key to any successful holiday is a ìlong table,î both literally and metaphorically. Her family decorates theirs and fills it with food brought by the whole family.
Gavin knows the struggle is real: So. Much. Food.
Calvinís family ìall went to my grandmaís house in South Carolina. Four generations of Mercers at one dinner table would have a low-country boil cook out, which is basically potatoes, crab legs, onions, and peppers all in one giant pot. It tastes so good.î
Aaron tells the story of Hanukkah with confidence. ìOne day the Jewish peopleís temple burned down and they only had enough oil for a candle to last one day, but it lasted eight. We celebrate by lighting one candle on the menorah each day with the middle candle. Every day a candle is lit we get a present. We get eight presents total. On Hanukkah we eat latkes, which are potato pancakes. We also spin the dreidel for gelt which is currency, but nowadays we use chocolate.î
Lily also recognizes the importance of a good latke. ìI come home from school and start to help my mom make the latkes. My house immediately smells like fried potato pancakes. My family and I all sit around the table and we laugh and talk about the holiday. We dip our latkes in sour cream and applesauce. When we finish eating we all gather around the menorah, say our prayers and light the candles.î
Dannaís family traditions come from Mexico, starting with the Day of the Dead on Nov. 1 and 2. ìOn Oct. 31, we make all of the food such as the Pan de Muerto (Day of the Dead bread) and the favorite foods of relatives who are no longer with us. We place the food alongside candles and photos of our late loved ones. For Thanksgiving, instead of turkey, my mom makes glazed ham with mashed potatoes, biscuits, and a delicious poblano spaghetti.î
Jhonny, whose family is originally from Nicaragua, likes to start decorating early. ìBefore December we decorate the house.î The tree comes later. Then the wait begins for Christmas Eve. When the night finally arrives, the family shares a ìfeastî around 8 p.m. and the kids wait desperately for the stroke of midnight, when the gifts are opened.
For Priscillaís family, the annual Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) celebration includes singing, yelling and lots of hyped-up children. But her family would be pleased to know the element that resonates most is when ìmy Grandma welcomes her relatives and friends to our house to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. We welcome each other, pray for strength and guidance, sing and play instruments, and then eat delicious food.î Priscilla compares her favorite dish ó tamales ó to ìexploring a new dimension.î
Thereís no shortage of holiday festivities in the Florida Keys, but itís nice to know that anyone looking to ìexplore a new dimensionî this season can simply add a tamale to their menu.
