The Cuban content creator @darlingmores shared a testimony on TikTok that has elicited thousands of reactions, in which she reveals how she copes with everyday shortages in Cuba to maintain personal hygiene.
"Do you know how we have to bathe here in this country today? Well, my love, I’ll explain it to you in one word," the young woman begins to say in the video, where she appears sitting in a chair, dressed simply and holding a small piece of worn soap.
"With an old soap scrap, when you're running out, you gather the soap pieces and then compact them into a little ball, and with that, you wash yourself," he explains.
In addition to the recycled soap, the Cuban woman demonstrates how she uses her underwear as a substitute for a sponge: “The sponge is your underwear when you take it off, darling. What do we do with the men and their boxers? We use a little jar of water to bathe, because sometimes we don't even have water to take a shower.”
The video continues to detail the process of repurposing soap and the blúmer as a tool for scrubbing the body: "You will wet the little blúmer bit by bit, lather it up, look, it has already broken (...) then you place it in the sun to dry and to compact the soap more."
It also references the lack of electricity as another obstacle to drying underwear: “Before, we would put it in front of a fan, but nowadays you can't even put it in front of a fan because we never have electricity.”
At the end of the video, the creator invites others to share if they have experienced something similar: “And if you’re Cuban, tell me if you’ve ever had to do this, and if you’re not Cuban, my dear, let me know in the comments if you’ve done it already.”
The video has received over 4,500 "likes" and dozens of comments, some supportive, others skeptical or critical. Several users questioned how the young woman could have her nails done while talking about precariousness. She responded, "Ask a Cuban woman if she hasn't done that," defending the truthfulness of her testimony.
Amid the debate, another comment read: "Cuban women have a lot of self-respect; despite the challenges, we take care of ourselves and dedicate time to ourselves because we are also women."
Some users from Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay expressed that they related to the makeshift solutions showcased by the young woman, while others questioned her words. “Honestly, I don’t believe her,” commented one. There were also reactions of humor and resignation: “I’ve also scrubbed my body with my underwear and washed them at the same time, two in one!” wrote a user.
This new video from @darlingmores joins other viral content that captures the daily lives of many Cuban families amidst the ongoing economic and energy crisis in the country.
Previously, the creator herself demonstrated how many women in Cuba have to use recycled cloths as menstrual pads due to the prolonged absence of intimate hygiene products in pharmacies and the high prices on the black market.
In another video, she recounted how she reorganizes her entire household routine on the day electricity returns, to cook, wash, and clean in just a few hours, due to the frequent blackouts affecting large areas of the country.
Another viral testimony showed a young woman transforming broken clothing into rugs using an old pedal sewing machine, in response to the lack of resources for the home.
The energy scarcity has also forced mothers like @darlinmedina93 to cook with wood in the early morning, when their children ask for milk and there is neither gas nor electricity to heat it.
Moreover, other testimonies have showcased scenes of poverty, blackouts, and despair that are part of daily life in many Cuban households, with deteriorating homes, children working, and parents struggling to secure the basics for survival.
Frequently Asked Questions about Everyday Life in Cuba during Times of Scarcity
How do Cubans cope with the scarcity of basic products like soap?
In the video shared by @darlingmores, a Cuban shows how she reuses small pieces of soap to form a ball that she uses for bathing. This practice reflects the need to improvise solutions in the face of shortages of basic products in the country, where many families must cope with a lack of resources through ingenuity and creativity.
What other improvised solutions do Cubans use in the face of the lack of water and electricity?
Cubans are turning to various creative solutions in the face of water and electricity shortages. For example, some people have had to connect washing machines to rivers to do laundry, while others cook with firewood during blackouts. These actions reflect the resilience and adaptability of the population in the face of the precariousness of basic services.
How does the energy and water crisis affect daily life in Cuba?
The energy and water crisis in Cuba has a significant impact on the daily lives of its citizens. Frequent power outages and water shortages force families to reorganize their routines, taking advantage of the few hours of electricity to carry out essential household tasks. This situation creates an environment of uncertainty and stress, forcing Cubans to constantly adapt to changing conditions.
What reactions have these testimonies generated on social media?
The testimonies of Cubans about daily life amidst scarcity have generated a variety of reactions on social media. Many users express empathy and solidarity, while others criticize the situation and the political system that has brought the country to such precariousness. These testimonies serve as a platform to highlight the daily struggles that Cubans face and to encourage a debate on possible solutions.
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