Miami has continued to be the land of welcoming immigrants from around the world and constructing the cultural map of Miami with varied colors. The land of Miami saw a huge influx of Cuban population crowd up during the dictatorship of the popular leader Fiedel Castro in 1959. Later in the 1970s, Miami witnessed the immigrants from Haiti and Nicaragua. While 40 percent of the population are Spanish dominant speakers, once you stroll in the streets of Miami you can surely see the air of amalgamated culture, traditions, and practices going on.
The Magic City Miami embraces Hispanic heritage, Jewish American heritage, Caribbean heritage, Haitian heritage, and whatnot. Celebrations of the vivid culture in Miami is an ongoing festival often in the form of art festivals, display in museums, diversity in cuisine, traditional festivals, and many more.
The Vivid Culture of Miami
1. African American Heritage
In the 1970s thousands of Haitians fled to Miami escaping the political repression in their countries and settled in Overtown, the oldest neighborhood of Miami. Gradually came to be known as the colored town of Miami, immigrants from Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, Barbados - all joined them and with time, the culture developed into a livelihood. When the Black population arrived in Miami’s Overtown, it was just a neighborhood with no aura. But now Overtown, also called Little Haiti is a symbol of the African diaspora in the city, adding the African American heritage in Miami, for decades.
2. Hispanic Heritage
Miami's legacy of Hispanic heritage goes back in time when in 1519 the Spanish Explorer Juan Ponce De Leon came to Florida and sailed through the Biscayne Bay. every year from September 15 to October 15, for a month Miami celebrates the Hispanic heritage month in remembrance of the diverse cultural enigma which Miami inherits. The rich cultural heritage of Latin America can be predominantly felt in Greater Miami. West to downtown Miami is also known as Little Havana, which is a famous tourist spot round the year. The Hispanic heritage month has a dozen events to celebrate the culture, as well.
3. Jewish American Heritage
The celebration of the Jewish contribution to American lives hasn’t been much old but since 2005, May is dedicated as the month of celebration of Jewish American Heritage here in Miami. The Jewish Beach of Florida in South Beach’s South of Fifth neighborhood, built-in 1936 is an exemplary place to understand the Jewish culture revolving around the city. The month of May in Greater Miami not only acknowledges the Jew population but also delves deeper into the achievements of American Jews in all fields.
4. Asian Pacific Heritage
Miami never sleeps and takes rest from celebrations. The same is for celebrating the Asian Pacific Heritage Month in May in Greater Miami. 1843 saw the huge influx of Japanese immigration in regions of the United States and thereafter the culture seeped into the traditions of Miami, making the cultural map of Miami even more diverse. Earlier, Miami got involved in a week-long celebration for recognizing the contributions of the Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders under the presidency of Jimmy Carter. Later in 1922, May was officially regarded as the month of Asian Pacific Heritage months.
While Miami continues to be a mention-worthy site of culture and heritage on the world map, there are political tensions grueling up in the city. However, once you dive into the sea of heritage and culture, Miami has a lot more to offer - from art galleries to nightlife, exotic beaches, traditional festivals, and glamorous cuisine. The assembling of Cuban with the Caribbean will surely make a mark on your Miami experience.