Manuel de Zequeira Arango

He is considered the first Cuban poet.

A Neoclassical poet, in Zequeira we find the first author of fullness in the Cuban lyrical tradition. His cultivation of the décima, already very popular on the Island by then, and of varied vernacular themes, are at the root of the process of "cubanization" of poetry. "Oda a la piña" is the opening poem of most panoramic anthologies on the genre in Cuba; likewise, it is one of the first recognized texts of the thematic line of songs to Cuban nature.

He descended from a noble and wealthy family. He learned his first letters at home. In 1774 he entered the Seminario San Carlos, where he was a fellow student and friend of Félix Varela. There he studied history and literature and came into contact with Latin culture.

This poet, a representative of Neoclassicism, published poems and literary essays in the Papel Periódico de la Havana starting in 1792. He was closely linked to the government of Don Luis de las Casas and to the Sociedad Patriótica.

A large part of his life was spent in military service inside and outside of Cuba, reaching the rank of colonel of infantry.
In 1800 he was appointed editor of the Papel Periódico. He contributed to it until 1805.

From 1817 onwards, he contributed to El Aviso de La Habana, El Criticón de La Habana, El Mensajero político económico y literario de la Havana, El Noticioso Mercantil, El Observador Habanero, and La Lira de Apolo.

In 1821 he was transferred to Matanzas as colonel of the militia of that city. There the first symptoms of madness appeared to him.

He used the pseudonyms Izmael Raquenue, Ezequiel Armuna, Ezequiel Amura, Anselmo Erquea Gravina, Raquel Yum Zenea, El Observador de la Havana, El bruxo de la Havana, el Marqués Nueya, Arnezio Garaique, El Licenciado Freisesomorum, La horma de su zapato, Armenau Queizel, El criticón de La Havana, Arezique, Enrique Aluzema.
It is believed that Leofar Le Monieau, D. Amosar Yeso de Jarzos, Eguzqui, and Matato are anagrams of Zequeira.