In “The Influence of Corsica on Puerto Rican Culture,” The Cobblestone Times explores the Corsican influence on Puerto Rican culture.
Corsican history has been a fundamental part of Puerto Rico’s history, both socially and economically, and has helped many people from other countries make new lives on the island. Corsicans are originally from Corsica, an island located west of Italy and southeast of France. It formerly belonged to the Republic of Genoa, Italy, and in 1768 was ceded to France to repay a debt. Therefore, the origin of these people is Italian.
Corsicans moved to live in Puerto Rico in the first centuries after the discovery of America. Upon their arrival, they formed the central nucleus of a large Italian migration to the country. But it was during the 19th century when about 2000 people left their native land in the hope of a better life.
Corsicans speak an Italic language similar to Tuscan and became part of current Puerto Rican society without any problems. This European population arrived on the island, where they settled in areas such as Adjuntas, Lares, Utuado, Coamo and Guayanilla.
According to Marie Jeanne Paoletti Casablanca in her book Corsicans in Puerto Rico (Casa Paoli), the causes of the emigration of Corsicans to Puerto Rico “must be sought first in the environment of origin: Corsica is an island in the Mediterranean Sea, whose surface is similar to that of Puerto Rico… The mountains marked the life of the Corsicans. people whose traditional activities revolved around working the land and raising sheep.
Moreover, the author shows that the history of Corsica “was very troubled and that this stormy history, together with a hostile geography, created favorable conditions for emigration, which began very early in Corsica’s past”. Corsica went through many political changes and the breakdown of relations with Italy, “forced merchant mariners to seek new routes west to America and the Caribbean. Sailors were the first to leave, farmers and their artisans would follow later, especially in times of crisis,” Paoletti added.
The work of the Corsicans was based on the cultivation of coffee, sugar and tobacco. They managed to make their fortune and ended up leading the coffee industry on the island of Puerto Rico by 1870, especially in Yauco. Among their tactics to achieve favorable income was to establish links with coffee buying centers to achieve the success and economic evolution of Puerto Rico on a global scale.
A crossroads of cultures
Many years have passed since the Corsicans came to stay in Puerto Rico, and there is currently a hybridization between the two cultures. Based on the characteristics that identify Corsicans and Puerto Ricans, there is a mix of traditions and practices that allow each to create a connection without losing their origins and peculiarities.
Many families known as Antonini, Berlingeri, Santini or Palmieri, have been part of Puerto Rican attributes; they worked for the island, integrated into it and protected it as their own. Other surnames such as Franceschi, Mattei, Amill and Negroni based their work on sugar production, with the aim of increasing their profits and the economy of Puerto Rico.
The influx from Corsica was initially a shock to Puerto Rico, but not just an invasion, it became a source of production and economic development. Their work grew to the point of becoming part of the economy that emerged and grew in Puerto Rico. The Corsicans were indeed a group of immigrants who took back Puerto Rico, creating solidarity and unity between themselves and the Puerto Ricans, for the benefit and enrichment of society.
Translated by Ivette Romero. For the original article (in Spanish), see https://www.eladoquintimes.com/2022/08/02/la-influencia-corsa-en-la-cultura-puertorriquena/
