A Cuban's Nostalgic Find in a Brazilian Store: "Back to My Teenage Years in Cuba"

A Cuban woman living in Brazil was overwhelmed with nostalgia when she stumbled upon an item in a store that instantly took her back to her teenage years in Cuba. The discovery was none other than the trendy elastic bracelets shaped like figures, fondly called "liguitas" on the island, which were once a sensation among young Cubans.

The emotional moment was captured in a TikTok video shared by user @nathi_hdez, where she excitedly displays a packet of these bracelets and asks her followers, "My people from Cuba, who remembers these 'liguitas'? They were the best when they first arrived in Cuba. I remember we used to trade them to see who had the coolest designs."

In the video, the young woman reflects on how these "liguitas" defined an era in Cuba, becoming a sort of currency among teenagers who vied for the most unique designs. "I just walked into this store and was transported back to my teenage years when I saw these little bracelets," she says wistfully.

The post sparked a wave of reactions on TikTok, with hundreds of Cubans reminiscing about this trend that left a mark on an entire generation. Comments like "I had my arm full," "Such memories!" "Oh yes, I had them too," and "I remember perfectly" flooded the post, confirming that this small accessory still lives on in many memories.

Silicone bracelets with various shapes were globally popular during the 2000s, and when they reached Cuba, they became a genuine craze. Their success lay in the variety of colors and shapes, from animals to fun symbols, making them irresistible to children and teenagers alike.

This episode highlights how small items can evoke significant memories and connect Cubans both on and off the island through shared experiences of their youth.