Being Cuban: An Emotion Beyond Words, Stirring Hearts Across Social Media

"Being Cuban can't be explained; it's something you feel." With these heartfelt words, Cuban singer Majela Dueñas, now living in Gran Canaria, has touched the hearts of thousands both on and off the island through a poignant video.

In a video shared on her TikTok profile, @majela.duenas, she delves into the bittersweet nature of Cuban identity, blending nostalgia and heartache: "It's the strong coffee's flavor in the morning, your friends' laughter on a street corner, the stories your grandmother told you while cooking. And realizing all of that now exists only in your memory."

She continues, "It's learning to walk without your loved ones beside you, without your mom's voice assuring you everything will be okay. It's spending your first birthday alone, whispering 'happy birthday' to yourself because no one else knows it's your day. It's a Christmas where the table feels empty, even if it's full of food, because the voices, the laughter, the hugs of those who were always there are missing."

This powerful message resonated deeply with those who have experienced exile, sparking a wave of emotional responses. "My mother died yesterday in Cuba, and here I am in Spain working... I couldn't even say goodbye or bury her. When you leave Cuba, you can't imagine all that you give up," one user lamented, capturing a profound sadness shared by those far from home.

Another remarked, "We're scattered across the world longing for our land, our people, our customs, even Pánfilo's stale bread." From a place of pride, some highlighted the uniqueness of Cuban culture: "Being Cuban is the best in the world, where four to six people can share a single piece of chicken"; "No place is quite like Cuba. You miss the humor, the streets, and the spontaneous things."

For others, Majela's message triggered a wave of melancholy. "What you say is so true. It's looking at the stars and wondering if someone there is thinking of you too"; "The reality of being Cuban is painful but it makes us strong."

Even people from other countries found themselves moved by her words. A Colombian woman commented, "I'm Colombian, but Cubans make me feel Cuban. I admire them so much." Others shared their struggles with distance during important dates: "What you said about Christmas is so real. You made me cry; it's so hard to be far from your family during these times"; "Being Cuban is a wound that never heals... it hurts so much to be away."

For Majela, who lives with her husband in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, these reactions are more than just comments; they are evidence that her message has reached the souls of those who share this experience. "Cubans are among the strongest people I know," she replied to one comment, emphasizing that her words aim to build an emotional bridge between those far away and their homeland.

Majela connects with her audience not only through emotional messages but also with her music. Trained at Cuban institutions such as the EPA Samuel Feijoo and the Provincial Center for Artistic Education (CPEA), she and her husband José Manuel Rodríguez form the duo JOMA. They recently made their debut on Canarian television with their single "Soy de volar," which emerged as they began their relationship after being friends.

From afar, Majela continues to create a space for sharing what it means to be Cuban, not only through her art but with words that capture an identity that, as she says, "can't be explained, only felt."