Carnaval Dominicana

Carnaval is an annual celebration that occurs every February throughout the Dominican Republic. The event peaks on February 27^th, which is the Dominican Independence Day. The celebration includes parades, events, and competitions. Each Dominican town has its own unique way of celebrating Carnaval and have costumes to represent their respective regions. However the largest celebration is held in Santo Domingo. The event is characterized by the bright and colorful costumes, music, and dancing. Also, there several characters which are present in every Carnaval celebration.

Carnaval originated in the mid-1500s in Santo Domingo on the sugar plantations of the Dominican Republic. Plantation owners would allow their slaves to go out have a little fun to relieve all of their pent up angst. After a while the slave owners started to participate in the festivities themselves as a relief from some of their religious rigidity. Since Carnaval was considered to be a pagan celebration Spaniards had to incorporate religious aspects to satisfy their religious needs.

Carnaval is important to the Dominican culture because this annual celebration is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year. It is relative to the culture because Carnaval was the first celebration of its kind in all the Americas. I chose this artifact because it reminds me of the Mardi Gras celebrations we have here in the United States. These celebrations are about letting loose before Lent begins. Even their histories are strikingly similar. I have celebrated Mardi Gras and I find it amazing that there is something similar in the Dominican Republic. It seems like loads of fun.

Works Cited

Carnaval. (2008). [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-604912/Travel-pictures-week.html

Dominican republic carnival / carnaval dominicano - the origin. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.colonialzone-dr.com/traditions-carnival.html

Hossenally, R. (Photographer). (2011). Carnival. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.easyvoyage.co.uk/dominican-republic/the-carnival-5467