The Chinese Charade, the origin of the Bolita in Cuba

The Chinese Charade, also known as Rifa Chiffá, is the origin of the Cuban Charade or Bolita. This game of chance was introduced to the island in the second half of the 19th century with the arrival of the first Chinese migrant populations in Cuba.

The Cuban Charade is a table of consecutive numbers from 1 to 100. The first 36 numbers, or "bichos," began to circulate in 1847 when around 125,000 coolies arrived on the island from Southern China under semi-slavery conditions.

The charade involved a graphic representation of a Chinese man in traditional attire, depicting 36 numbers through drawings of their respective meanings, which included people, animals, and objects.

How did the game of Charada China emerge in Cuba?

According to an article in Habana Radio from 1873, this game of chance officially began on Lealtad Street. The initial capital was 15,000 pesos. In the early 20th century, it expanded to include 100 numbers, incorporating elements of Cuban popular culture.

"The bank has a corresponding series of cardboard or wooden tokens. It randomly selects one, wraps it in a piece of cloth, and displays it for the players to see. This operation is called 'hanging the animal.' Next, the sale of toys begins, each one marked with the Chinese character signifying a specific figure. Meanwhile, some groups walk through the streets taking bets. At the designated time, the wrapped emblem is unveiled, and the winners receive thirty times their bet," notes an article from 1962 written by the sociologist Roger Caillois.

The game was presented as a more graphic variant of roulette. In contrast, the symbols of the Rifa Chiffá were gathered according to mysterious affinities, which is why the meanings associated with each number were so important. It is believed that the enslaved African population contributed many of their knowledge to the definitive code of the Charada Cubana.

Currently, the Chinese Charade is banned by the government of Beijing, just as the Cuban Charade is sanctioned by Cuba's Penal Code. However, gambling continues to enjoy popularity and is even incorporating new technologies.

List of the 36 original numbers or creatures of the Charada

1. The HorseThis number became popularly associated with the figure of Fidel Castro.
2. The Butterfly
3. The Sailor
4. The Cat or Mouth
5. The NunThis is how the 5 peso bill is popularly referred to.
6. The Jicotea
7. The Snail
8. The Dead Man
9. The Elephant
10. The Big FishThis term was used for the 10-peso bill.
11. The Rooster
12. The Whoreor bad woman
13. The Peacock or the "Tócate"to avoid mentioning the unlucky number
14. The Tiger Cat
15. The Dog
16. The Bull
17. The Moon
18. The Little Fish
19. The Worm
20. The Fine Cat
21. The Majá
22. The Toad
23. The Steam
24. The Dove
25. The Fine Stone
26. The Eel
27. The Wasp
28. The Goat
29. The Mouse
30. The Shrimp
31. The Deer
32. The Pig
33. La Tiñosa
34. The Monkey
35. The Spider
36. The Hookah

Frequently Asked Questions about the Chinese Lottery and Bolita in Cuba