A Cuban recently arrived in France shared on TikTok a reflection that revisits one of the most talked-about, albeit cyclical, topics among Cubans: the origin of the "yuma smell."
Danielle Pelusa (@danielle.pelusa), model and actress, posted a video in which she associates that characteristic scent with Nivea sunscreen. "Have you ever wondered what the famous yuma smell is?" she says playfully while holding the product. "Nivea, gentlemen... the smell of yuma," she assures.
The video hasn't gone viral, but it has generated comments from several Cubans who have also attempted to unravel the mystery. Some people agree with Danielle that it could be sunscreen, but most point to fabric softener, detergent, perfumes, air fresheners, or bath gels as more likely sources.
"It's the fabric softener," "the Ariel detergent," "the shower gel," "the smell of cleanliness," were some of the responses. Danielle replied to several of them, joking that the "yuma smell" is probably a combination of various products.
In other instances, similar publications have addressed this topic. In August 2024, a Cuban in Uruguay attributed it to fabric softeners and recommended using a dryer to enhance the scent. Another young person, also in Uruguay, in September, purchased products with the goal of “smelling like a yuma.”
However, other voices, such as that of a Cuban who arrived in the United States, stated that that smell simply does not exist or is not felt outside of Cuba.
The "smell of yuma" remains a sensory symbol of the Cuban imagination, where memory, culture, humor, and a strong emotional connection converge.
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