PUERTO

RICO
INTRODUCTION

Puerto Rico is an island in the

Caribbean Sea. It is a U.S.
territory; however, Puerto Rico is
considered to have the status of
local autonomy. This means that
the Puerto Rican government self-
governs their territory and citizens
while under U.S. control.

https://islandsofpuertorico.com/puerto-rico-map/ https://www.worldconvention.org/resources/profiles/puerto-rico/
TIMELINE OF PUERTO RICO’S HISTORY
 1493 – Puerto Rico is claimed for Spain by Christopher Columbus
 1508 – Spanish settlement begins
 1898 – US takes ownership of Puerto Rico following Spanish – American war
 1900– US Congress institutes civil government in Puerto Rico. US maintains control over island affairs and prompts
demands for more local control
 1917 – Jones Act grants US citizenship to Puerto Ricans
 1946 – US appoints Jesus T Pinero as Puerto Rico’s first governor.
 1947 – Partial self-government is granted. PR can now elect their own governor. Munoz Marin elected in 1948.
 1950 – President Truman signs the Commonwealth Bill, paving the way for a PR constitution.
 1951 – PR votes in favor of US commonwealth status in a referendum.
 1952 – (July 25th) PR’s constitution is proclaimed, establishing a commonwealth with autonomy in internal affairs.
 1993 – Spanish and English declared as official languages.
 2006 – US supreme court rejects and appeal calling for PR citizens to have the right to vote in presidential elections
 2008 – Governor Acevedo Vila calls on the UN to back PR’s request for self-determination

https://www.puertoricocartransport.com/news/need-know-moving-puerto-rico/
IMPORTANT
PUERTO RICAN
HOLIDAYS
 January 5th – Three King’s Eve or Epiphany Eve –
Tradition – Children place a box of grass
underneath the bed for camels or horses in
exchange for presents (continuation of the
Christmas season)
 January 6th – Three King’s Day or Epiphany –
Celebration of the day that the three wise men
brought gifts to the Christ child.
 March 22nd – Emancipation Day – Celebration of
the abolition of slavery (1873)
 July 25th – Constitution Day – The anniversary of
American trips landing at Guanica in 1898
 November 19th – Discovery Day – Commemoration
of the day that Christopher Columbus landed on
and discovered PR in 1493.
 All American Holidays

https://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/november-events/
 FESTIVALS

 Third Weekend of January – Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián – Most

anticipated party of the year marking the unofficial closing of the
holiday season
 Last Week of February - Carnaval Ponceño – Celebration marking the
beginning of lent
 May 3rd - 5th – La Campechada - Brings artists, performers, musicians,
actors, puppeteers, and others together with the goal of education the
public about PR art and culture
 June 7th - 9th – Festival de la Piña Paradisíca – Pineapple Festival
 June 23rd – Noche de San Juan – Unofficial celebration of the nativity
of Saint John the Baptist
 Last Weekend of July – Festival de Santiage Apóstol – A parade
celebrating the the battle o vejiantes and Spanish knights representing
the struggle between the forces of good and evil
 End of November – Festival Nacional Indígena – Celebration of PR
indigenous roots, culture, and traditions.
 December 28th - Festival de las Másccaras de Hatillo – Commemorates
https://www.discoverpuertorico.com/article/annual-festivals-puerto-rico the día de los santos inocentes.
CULTURAL NORMS, VALUES, BELIEFS, FOLKWAYS, LAWS,
MORES
 Puerto Ricans are a blend of Taino Indian, Spanish, and
African American. The population is considered a melting pot
and because of this they are accepting to other ethnicities
 Celebrations are often and usually very large
 Music and art are of great importance
 Puerto Ricans are prideful, sociable, friendly, loyal, and
family-oriented people.
 Most families are extended with live in aunts/uncles,
grandparents, cousins, etc. If family lives in a nuclear housing
unit, they typically live very close to their parents and rest of
the family
 The extended family is considered to be immediate in PR.
 Family members have a bigger influence on the choices an
individual in the family is making
 Family loyalty and honor is of primary importance to most
 Adult children are expected to live at home until marriage
 Children are seen as caretakers of the elderly; because of
this, placement of elderly family members into nursing
homes is uncommon.
 Traditional greeting is a kiss on each cheek between all
except male to another male (unless it’s a relative)
 Direct eye contact during conversation is expected as it
shows interest and respect towards the other party.
 Cat calls are normal for women to receive when walking on
the street. They are seen as harmless.
 It is expected of men to show that they are manly –
“Machisimo”
 Many live on “island time”. Tardiness is normal unless it’s a
formal occasion. Some business may run on their own time
http://getwallpapers.com/collection/puerto-rico-flag-wallpaper
RELIGIOUS
PRACTICES
• Puerto Rico celebrates religious
holidays just as we do in the United
States. Some holidays celebrated are
the same and some are holidays only
PR celebrates.
• Because of the constitution, all Puerto
Ricans can freely practice their faith
with no interference.
• The two main religions practiced on
the island are Catholic faith (85% of
the population) and Protestant faith
(only 8% of the population). The rest
of the population is either non-
religious or has a different belief.

https://www.tripsavvy.com/catedral-de-san-juan-in-old-san-juan-1622000
 HEALTH CARE PRACTICES
• Puerto Ricans have a higher risk for the following
• Puerto Rico is in the process of reforming their
chronic conditions: heart disease, stroke, cancer, asthma,
healthcare system
arthritis, Alzheimer’s Disease, diabetes, and
• Most PR citizens are on Medicaid which is severely osteoporosis.
underfunded.
• There is a significantly higher number of infections
• Because of the lack of funding, there Is a shortage of developed in a health care facility in PR compared to the
doctors. This causes a very long wait time, especially to national average
see a specialist or receive emergency care. Some natives
• Cases of lung cancer, depression, and psychosis are
travel to the United States to receive care.
lower in PR than in the states.
• The health insurance has better coverage than in the US
• The healthcare system uses paper and pen for mainly
and with a better cost if covered through an employer
everything. Medical records are not electronic.
• Payments must be made prior to seeing the doctor and
getting treated or else treatment may be refused

https://depositphotos.com/169810612/stock-photo-puerto-rico-map-with-stethoscope.html
HEALTH LITERACY

 Most doctors in PR speak both English and Spanish.

 In rural PR it is harder to find a health care professional that speaks English; where in bigger cities English-
speaking health care professionals are easier to come by.
 If an English-speaking individual calls the emergency help line, the dispatcher will place the call on hold until an
interpreter or bilingual dispatcher is available.
 PR has a good literacy rate, but when it comes to health literacy most individuals need a simplified explanation.
 The highest level of education available is a Doctorate; however, 60% of the population has a high school degree
or higher while 18.3% have a bachelors degree or higher
BIRTH PRACTICES

 Typical American practices are not shared in PR such as prenatal check

ups, prenatal care, or birthing/parenting classes.
 Birth control is frowned upon due to the mainly catholic population.
 It is standard for all laboring mothers to be in a room together during
labor without their spouse or other family. When delivery is near, the
laboring mother will be moved to a delivery room. Following birth,
moms are placed in a recovery room together as well.
 If affordable, the best way to give birth in PR would be to hire a doula to
help with the process.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/parenting/pregnancy/6-symptoms-that-need-
immediate-attention-when-you-are-pregnant/
DEATH PRACTICES (RELIGIOUS)

 In the Puerto Rican culture, it is typical that when a family member is

passing, that another member of the family (usually female) will care for
them.. .This allows the certainty that family will be around in the final
moments.
 Priests are usually called to visit the dying family member for a final
confession and to be blessed.
 Vigils, wakes, or novenas (days of prayer for the dead) are commonly
held after a passing of a loved one to mark the passage into afterlife.
 During vigils, family and close friend gather around candles, saying
prayers for the soul’s journey to heaven.
 Following a funeral, there are nine consecutive days of prayer (novenas)

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 DIET & NUTRITION
 Dieting is not common in Puerto Rico
 Rice & Beans is a very common meal
especially for low income individuals.
This is accompanied by some time a
meat if it can be afforded.
 Their normal diet habits consist of high
calorie, carbohydrate, fatty, and salty
foods.
 Food is a big part of celebrations,
typically a lot of food is served.
 Meals are typically served when the
family is all together

https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/video-moms-authentic-puerto-rican-rice-and-beans/
RESOURCES
https://www.puertorico.com/reference/official-holidays/https://www.puertorico.com/reference/religion/
http://www.pr51st.com/health-in-puerto-rico/
https://www.studycountry.com/guide/PR-education.htm
https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/travel/arts-culture/puerto-rican-culture-national-identity-gender-roles-
religion/
https://knowpuertorico.weebly.com/family-culture.html
https://www.framingham.edu/Assets/uploads/academics/colleges/science-technology-engineering-and-mat
hematics/food-and-nutrition/_documents/puerto-rico.pdf

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