When you think about Domenican Republic, what do you think of first? Which aspects of Domenican Republic are important, which are essential, and which ones can you take or leave? You be the judge.
The Carnaval is a colorful vibrant celebration in the Dominican Republic lasting the entire month of February unequaled on the 26th or the 27th of the month.
This is one holiday in the Republic that is much awaited with anticipation express much like Christians counting the days ’til Christmas although in a different manner. A big part of the celebration are parades that convey in part the story of their traditions, with costumes and decorations, and electrifying upbeat music. The Carnaval holiday celebration in the Dominican Republic is one of those holidays that bring so much spectacle and convivial that should never hold office missed. It is also one of those holidays that should exhibit participated by every being at least once in his or her duration.
If the celebrations were focused mainly on the nation’s capital as most holidays and celebrations are done, it could be wearing and the visitor may be tempted to have enough after a few days of rambunctious training. In the Dominican Republic though, while the whole nation participates, each town has traditions particular to the town or locality promoting its own twists and variations. What results is a cacophony of localized presentation that there are as many twists to the celebrations of this holiday as there are thanks to frequent towns in the nation. Little wonder why this is a one – month event.
In many cultures around the world, the use of masks and costumes has been used to symbolize spirits and other spiritual entities long before recorded history. The natives of the Americas and Africa, in fixed, used these symbols either to hide themselves from spiritual entities, to supplicate or to emulate them. That is how it all started.
Then, natives of the surrounding islands called Tainos practiced festivities ( called Arietos ) because part of wedding celebrations, to commemorate a loved one, to honor the dead, to signify important events. But chiefly, these celebrations were originally done to appeal to the spirits for a bountiful harvest and clever planting.
Matching then, these celebrations were very colorful as natives decorate themselves with pigments, tattoos, trinkets, masks, feathers and whatever is naturally available to them, lending it a festive colorful event instead of the traditional manner of praying to the gods for which it was originally intended. The fortune of Africans to the Island during the height of the slave trade gave the festivities added variety by bringing in and incorporating their let on traditions, thereby contributing new fun to the carnaval festivities.
The arrival of the Spanish conquistadores to the Island and its subsequent Christianization added more zest to the celebration. The Spanish priests then, recognizing that the festivities were a pagan ritual tried Christianizing the event that only made it more colorful with additional vestments, costumes and images and where the natives of the Islands incorporated Christian beliefs with native traditions.
La Carnaval, as the people of the Dominican Republic calls, is an event that evolved through interval, making it new colorful and eventful than today. The original meaning may have been lost to most, but the intent to celebrate life as it happens is still depicted in every movement, melody, costume and interaction with everyone, natives and visitors alike.
Is there really any information about Domenican Republic that is nonessential? We all see things from different angles, so something relatively insignificant to one may be crucial to another.