A Cuban TikToker has gone viral with a humorous video message directed at emigrants who boast about luxury brands like Gucci or Prada, reminding them of the true brand that defined a generation on the island.
On Monday, @dr.aloma shared a 34-second video on TikTok that quickly resonated with thousands of Cubans living abroad. With her signature Cuban wit, she directly addresses those who, in her view, seem to have forgotten their roots.
"Look at her, acting like she left on a paper boat, my faithful friend, and she arrives here saying, 'No, my favorite brand is Gucci, it's Prada,'" the video begins.
@dr.aloma's response is immediate and sharp: "Girl, since when? The favorite brand of all Cuban people has always been Tabacuba."
The mention of Tabacuba—the state brand of school supplies—instantly triggered nostalgia among her followers. With humor, the creator recalls the almost legendary durability of those backpacks: "Mom, I want to write to that company to ask what materials they used to make backpacks that lasted from preschool to tenth grade."
The video also brings back memories of lunchboxes and pioneer shoes, all bearing the mark of national production. "@dr.aloma" uses the colloquial phrase "estaba Cuba" to refer to locally made products, saying, "You went with a pioneer shoe, the backpack was Cuba, and the lunchbox was Cuba."
The video concludes with a touch of irony: "And you felt like you were going guerrilla, the guerrilla."
The phrase "arrived on a paper boat" is a direct reference to Cubans who emigrated under precarious conditions—rafts or makeshift boats—and now flaunt a luxurious lifestyle, a contrast that Cuban humor on social media often highlights.
The childhood of several generations in Cuba was marked by state-produced items: standardized pioneer uniforms, school supplies, and everyday objects of national or Soviet manufacture. These items are remembered not as shortages but as part of a collective nostalgia that the diaspora reinterprets with pride and irony.
@dr.aloma frequently creates this type of content. In April, she published a video about reasons to invite a Cuban to a party, which also resonated widely within the Cuban community abroad. Previously, another Cuban went viral by comparing Cuban perfumes with French fragrances, and another returned to social media with a haute couture video made with rice, showcasing the humor and nostalgia that Cuban TikTok embraces.
@dr.aloma's video garnered 684 likes and 223 comments in the first few days, a sign that her message struck a chord with those who grew up with a Tabacuba backpack slung over their shoulder.
Understanding the Impact of Cuban TikTok
What is the significance of the brand Tabacuba in Cuba?
Tabacuba is a state brand known for producing school supplies in Cuba. It holds a nostalgic value for many Cubans, as it was a staple of their childhood and education.
Why do Cuban TikTokers use humor to address serious topics?
Humor is a powerful tool in Cuban culture, often used to address and cope with difficult subjects. It allows creators to connect with their audience while critiquing social and political issues.