From Martí to MMORPGs: Constructing Childhood Identity in Granma Province

• In Event: Educating the New Century Cuban Citizen

Abstract

Since the revolutionary government first came to power in Cuba, the wellbeing and education of the island’s children have been one of its highest priorities, receiving government attention and funding even during times of extreme hardship. Globally, the experience of childhood has evolved dramatically over the last few decades, with increasing numbers of young people changing the ways in which they play and learn, and Cuba is no exception to this; in fact, its unique historical and geopolitical experiences have led to the blossoming of a fascinating and idiosyncratic tech culture, particularly with regard to video games. The US embargo on Cuba has meant that many of the video games played there are entirely domestically produced, the relatively scarce resources mean that gaming is a thoroughly social activity, and the content of the games themselves is generally driven by education and teamwork. Produced as a result of extensive fieldwork in the remote province of Granma, this paper aims to explore the experience of modern Cuban childhood, and how Cuban identity is affected by both education and play. Through an analysis of both traditional and modern games, including the ground-breaking first-person shooter game Gesta Final, and an examination of the island’s network of youth clubs, primary schools, and the recent ‘Educa A Tu Hijo’ campaign, it will examine how the nature of childhood identity has evolved alongside Cuba’s own technology, traditional values, and politics, and how they are all inextricably linked.

Author

• Miranda R Lickert