One of the most popular games of chance in Cuba is the Charada Cubana or Bolita. While some people casually jot down their numbers, most choose mystical or dreamlike experiences that they interpret as revelations and transform into numerical codes.
How can they do it? They know the meaning of each of the charade numbers, so if they dream of a butterfly, the number 2 must be included in the numerical combination.
La Bolita, or Cuban Charade, is a board of consecutive numbers from 1 to 100. It is said that the first 36 numbers were taken from the Chinese charade, also known as Rifa Chiffá. The game was presented as a more graphic variant of roulette.
The symbols of the Rifa Chiffá came together based on mysterious affinities, which is why the meanings associated with each number were so important. It is believed that the enslaved population of African descent contributed significantly to the definitive code of the Charada Cubana.
There are lists that are more or less complete with the meanings of numbers used for the lottery's cabala. One of the most well-documented can be found on the blog TheCubanHistory.
When did the Charada Cubana begin to be played?
The first business of this type of gambling was registered in Havana in 1873. It was located on Lealtad Street and had an initial capital of 15,000 pesos.
In every government, Cubans have played Bolita. During the republican era, it was a significant business. Tickets were sold openly, and the results were broadcast at 2 PM on Radio Progreso.
After the Revolution, it was banned, sanctioned by the Penal Code with up to four years of prison time, but people continued to play in secret. In the 1990s, its popularity surged again, and it is still played today, even making use of new technologies.
The references for Bolita are the Venezuelan lotteries broadcast by shortwave stations, Telemundo, Radio Martí, La Poderosa, Cash3, and Play4 from the Florida lottery, among others.
Numbers of the Cuban Charade
It seems that no text was provided for translation. Please provide the text you'd like me to translate, and I'll be happy to assist you!The horsesun, inkpot, camel, small fish
It seems that the text you provided is incomplete. Could you please provide the full text that you would like me to translate?The butterflyman, coffee maker, snail
It seems there may have been a misunderstanding, as the text provided is just the number "3." If you have another text you'd like translated, please share it, and I'll be happy to assist you.The sailormoon, cup, centipede, dead
It seems that there is no text provided for translation. Please provide the text you would like translated.The catmouth, soldier, key, candle, military
It seems like you entered "5." without additional context or text to translate. Could you please provide more content or clarify what you would like translated?The nunsea, padlock, newspaper, fruit, worm
6.The jicotealetter, glare, bottle
It seems that there is no text provided to translate. Please provide the text you would like translated, and I'll be happy to assist you.The snaildream, shit, stockings, gentleman
I’m sorry, but it seems that there’s no additional text provided for translation. Please provide the text you'd like me to translate.The dead personlion, pumpkin, table
9.The elephantburial, lyre, cube, skeleton, ox
10.The big fishstroll, mesh, pot, money, boat
11.The roosterrain, match, workshop, factory
12.The Bad Womantravel, towels, kite, big dog
It appears that there may have been a misunderstanding, as the provided text "13." does not contain any context or additional information to translate. If you have more content or a specific message you'd like translated, please provide that, and I'll be happy to assist!The peacock, kid, stove, cool
14.The tiger catmarriage, frying pan, and cemetery
15.The dogvisit, spoon
It seems like you provided just the number "16." If there's more text you'd like translated, please provide that, and I'll be happy to assist you!The bulliron, dress, fire, funerals, wasp
It seems that there is no text provided for translation, just the number "17." If you need assistance with a specific text, please provide it, and I would be happy to help!The moongood woman, rubber, nightgown, weapons, opium
It appears that there is no text provided for translation. Please provide the text you would like to have translated into English.The little fishthe church, mermaid, palm, yellow cat
19.The wormpeasant, troop, large table, armor
20.The fine cat.cannon, t-shirt, canister, book, woman
21.The majápocket watch, parrot
It seems there is no text provided for translation, just the number "22." If you meant to include a specific text, please provide it, and I'll be happy to translate it for you.The toadstar, chimney
It seems like you have entered "23." which does not contain any text to be translated. Please provide the text you would like to have translated, and I will be happy to assist you.The steamsubmarine, ladder, boat, eagle
24.The dovemusic, carpenter, kitchen
It seems there is no text provided for translation besides the number "25." Please provide the text you would like translated.The fine stonehouse, sun
It seems that the text you provided is just the number "26." If you have more text or specific content you'd like translated, please provide it, and I'd be happy to help!The eelstreet, doctor
27.The waspbell, large spoon, canary
28.The goatflag, politician, grapes, small dog
29.The mousecloud, deer
30.The shrimprainbow, calendar, ox, crab
31.The deerschool, shoes
It seems there is no text provided for translation. Please provide the text you'd like translated to English so I can assist you.The pigenemy, mule, demon
33.The dyeing agentdeck, saint, Jesus Christ, slap
34.The monkey.family, black, foreman
35.The spidergirlfriend, light bulbs, mosquito
36.The hookahThe translation of the words you provided is:
- theater
- cellar
- colossus
It seems there's no text provided to translate. Please provide the text you'd like me to translate, and I'll be happy to assist you!The dark hengypsy, ant, road
It seems that the text you provided is simply the number "38." If you need a specific translation or context related to this number, please provide more details.The moneycar, yacht, gloves, barrel
The text "39." does not contain any content to translate. Please provide additional text for translation.The rabbitsnake, lightning, dance, dyer
40.The priestblood, firefighter, bar, statue
It seems that you provided the number "41" without any accompanying text. Please provide the text you would like to be translated, and I'll be happy to help!The lizardprison, little duck, jubo, capuchin
42.The duck.distant country, ram, abyss
43.The scorpionfriend, cow, door, prisoner, and hunchback
44.Year of the Leatherhell, bad year, storm, tempest, storm
45.The sharkpresident, suit, tram, star
It seems like you've provided only a number. Could you please provide the text you would like to have translated?The bussmoke, hunger, ferret, dance, Chinese
It seems that there is no text to translate; only the number "47" is provided. If you have a specific text for translation, please share it, and I would be happy to help!The birdbad news, a lot of blood, escort, rose
48.The cockroachfan, barbershop, cube
The text "49." does not contain additional information or context to translate. If you have more text or need assistance with another section, please provide it for translation.The drunkardriches, figurine, hanger, treasure, ghost
50.The police officerjoy, vase, mayor, rogue, tree
It seems like you've only provided the number "51" without any text for translation. Please provide the text you'd like to have translated, and I'll be glad to assist you!The soldierserene, glasses, thirst, gold, clasps
It seems you have entered a number without any context. Could you please provide the text that needs to be translated?The bicyclecar, lawyer, notebook
53.Electric lightgarment, tragedy, diamond, kiss, sheriff
54.Flowerswhite hen, dream, bell, cannon
55.The crabthe Islanders, to fall, stamps
It seems there may have been an oversight, as there is no text provided for translation. If you could please share the specific text you would like translated, I would be happy to assist you.The queen, merengue, stone
57.The bedangels, telegram, door
58. An affairportrait, knife, hardware store
59.The madman.lobster, ring
60.Dark Sunclown, cosmic
61.The cannon shotrevolver, apothecary
62.Marriagesnow, lamp, vision, academy, wheelbarrow
63.The killerhorns, sword, bandits
64.A big dead personRifle shot, juggler, fun.
65.The prisonfood, witch, window, thunder
It seems that you may have intended to provide a different text for translation. Could you please provide the specific text you'd like me to translate?The divorcethe jars, the mask, the carnival
67.The stab.authority, inn, abortion, shoe
68.Big Cemeteryballoon, large knife, temple, bowling pins
69.The wellThe translation of the words you provided is as follows:
- fiera: beast or fierce
- la loma: the hill
- vagos: slackers or lazy people
- polvorín: powder magazine or explosive store
If there is a specific context or sentence you would like these translated in, please provide that for a more tailored translation.
70.The phonecoconut, shot, barrel, bullet
71.Riverhat, medium dog, panther, and rifle
72.The railroadold ox, saw, collar, scepter, lightning
73.A parkknife, apples, suitcase, chess, cigarette
74.The kitecolonel, snake, rage, platform
75.The cinematie, wind, guitar
I apologize, but there seems to be a misunderstanding. The text you provided is just a number (76) and does not contain any context or content to translate. If you have a specific text or passage you'd like me to translate, please provide that, and I'll be happy to assist you!The dancerthe smoke in quantity, the iron box, violin
77.Flagswar, school, banknotes, amphora
78.The bishopsarcophagus, king, appetite, moles
79.Train carsweets
80.The doctorthe good news, the full moon, umbrella, beard, spinning top
81.The theaterEngineer, rope, actress.
I'm sorry, but there is no text to translate. It appears that only the number "82" was provided. If you have a specific text or passage in mind, please share it, and I'll be happy to help with the translation.The motherthe basin, dispute, pier
83.The tragedythe procession, the almsgiver, the cane, the wood
84.The blind mantailor, hut, banker, chest, reverse gear
85.The watchmirror, guano
86.The conventscissors, undress, hose
87.The trunkfire, bananas
88.The glassesworm, glass, leaves
89.The lotterywater, the old nun, melon
90.The old manthe large mirror, the candy
It seems there might have been an oversight, as "91." does not contain any additional text to translate. Please provide the text you would like me to translate.The tramwayblack bird, Bolshevik
It seems there isn't any text provided to translate. Could you please share the content you need translated?Very high balloonsuicide, Cuba
It seems that there is no specific text provided for translation. If you have a text you'd like me to translate, please share it, and I'll be happy to help!Revolutionring, general, jewelry, freedom
I'm sorry, but the text you provided is just a number. If you have a specific text you would like to be translated, please provide that, and I'll be happy to help!The machetethe large butterfly, leontina
95.The warThe translation of "alacrán" to English is "scorpion."
It seems that there is no text provided for translation. Please provide the text you would like to have translated into English.The challenge, newspaper, mischievous, new shoes
It seems that the provided text "97." is not sufficient for translation. Could you please provide a longer text or context for translation?The mosquitolarge monkey, mockingbird, large cricket
98.The pianolarge funeral, saint
99.The sawThe translation is: "coalman, rain."
100.The automobileGod, the toilet.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Cuban Charada or the Bolita
What is the Cuban Charada or Bolita?
La Charada Cubana, also known as La Bolita, is a popular game of chance in Cuba that uses a board of consecutive numbers from 1 to 100. Players choose numbers based on mystical experiences or dreams that they associate with the meanings of each number. The game has roots in Chinese charades and has incorporated elements of African culture in its evolution.
How did the Cuban Charade originate?
The first business of this type of gambling was recorded in Havana in 1873. It is believed that the 36 initial numbers were taken from the Chinese charade, and the enslaved population of African origin contributed their knowledge to the final code of the Cuban Charade. This game quickly gained popularity and remained a tradition despite legal prohibitions.
What meanings do the numbers have in the Cuban Charade?
Each number in the Charada Cubana has a specific meaning that players use to interpret their dreams and experiences. For example, the number 2 is associated with the butterfly, while the number 8 is linked to the dead. These associations allow players to turn their dreams into numerical combinations for gameplay.
Why does the Cuban Charada remain popular despite being illegal?
The Cuban Charade continues to be popular due to its cultural roots and the excitement it generates among its players. Despite legal sanctions prohibiting gambling since the Revolution, Cubans have continued to play it clandestinely. In recent decades, its popularity has grown, especially with the use of new technologies to facilitate gameplay.
What are the penalties for those who participate in the Charada Cubana?
Participating in games of chance such as Charada Cubana is punishable under the Cuban Penal Code with imprisonment for one to three years or fines of 300,000 quotas. If the offense involves minors or is carried out in collaboration with others, the penalty can increase to three to eight years of imprisonment. However, these measures have not succeeded in eradicating the practice.
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