This past Saturday the 23rd of February 2013, a traditional “Carnaval Dominicano” took place in the Marina Casa de Campo – which normally admired for it’s beautiful architecture and relaxed ambience akin to the best marina’s of Italy – came to life with all the excitement, vibrant colors, drums, music and festive ambience synonymous with the Dominican Carnival season as experienced in La Romana, Santo Domingo or La Vega.
“Carnaval Dominicano” in the Marina Casa de Campo
With complimentary transport provided from La Romana to the Marina Casa de Campo, the La Romana community flocked into the Marina Casa de Campo to join the villa owners in this spectacle, where they were greeted by the booming traditional music and decorations as they awaited for the show to begin.
With an enormous crowd of over 2,500 spectators, the carnival ambience was already in full swing even before the parade began – as guests strolled through the Marina Casa de Campo, many for the first time, enjoying the sunshine – posing for photos with the impressive yachts and relaxing in the Plaza Portofino, with refreshments provided by sponsors such as Ron Blanco by Brugal and Coca Cola.
A little before 5pm the show began – when more than 40 “comparsas” (groups) flooded onto the streets representing their own distinctive areas of the Dominican Republic; Santiago, La Vega, Santo Domingo, Barahona and La Romana among others.
Raudy Torres, the Dominican Republic’s most famous “Robalagallina”
At the center of the celebration was Raudy Torres, the Dominican Republic’s most famous “Robalagallina”, who rode through the streets in his chariot waving to the gathered crowd. The “Robalagallina” is just one of the traditional characters spotted in the traditional “Carnaval Dominicano” and literally means “chicken thief”, originating from the custom of sticking chicken feathers to the bodies of anyone caught stealing chickens. Nowadays however, the character is intended to be funny, generally interpreted by a man dressed as a woman – in colorful costumes and with huge hips!
Diablos Cojeulos
Other distinctive Dominican characters seen in the parade were the “Diablos Cojuelos”, who in the most elaborate costumes with bright colors and frightening masks, have the “job” of scaring the audience as they dance and hit those in their path with their weapons – very hard balloons.
Also present were the “Califé” – characters who criticize politicians and other important social and cultural public figures – in this case Hippolito Mejia, who last August lost his bid to be elected as President of the Dominican Republic.
Califé
For me however, the “comparsa” which made the most impact was the “pintaos de Barahona” – who literally paint their entire bodies with real paint – so that they resemble a kind of tribal group – both magnificent and very frightening.
Also getting into the spirit of the celebration – were the Casa de Campo community – many attended in full costumes themselves; from mini-Diablos Cojuelos to cute fish from the movie “Finding Nemo” to the “Chamaquitas” (baseball cheerleaders).
Las Chamaquitas!
As the parade came to a close at the Plaza Portofino in the center of the Marina Casa de Campo, the crowd literally throbbed with excitement and noise – with dancing and music led by the group “Diómedes y el Grupo Mío”.
What a show!
The following collection of photos were taken during the Carnaval de la Marina Casa de Campo on Saturday the 23rd of February 2013:
ABOUT: The “Carnaval Dominicano”
Excitement, vibrant colors, drums, music and a festive ambience are all synonymous with the Dominican Carnival season celebrated every year in the months of February and March across the Dominican Republic. The principal carnival, the “Carnaval Dominicano” or the “Carnaval Vegano” takes place every Sunday through February and attracts thousands of Dominicans and tourists to take part in the action!
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!
Spanish
This past Saturday the 23rd of February 2013, a traditional “Carnaval Dominicano” took place in the Marina Casa de Campo – which normally admired for it’s beautiful architecture and relaxed ambience akin to the best marina’s of Italy – came to life with all the excitement, vibrant colors, drums, music and festive ambience synonymous with the Dominican Carnival season as experienced in La Romana, Santo Domingo or La Vega.
With complimentary transport provided from La Romana to the Marina Casa de Campo, the La Romana community flocked into the Marina Casa de Campo to join the villa owners in this spectacle, where they were greeted by the booming traditional music and decorations as they awaited for the show to begin.
With an enormous crowd of over 2,500 spectators, the carnival ambience was already in full swing even before the parade began – as guests strolled through the Marina Casa de Campo, many for the first time, enjoying the sunshine – posing for photos with the impressive yachts and relaxing in the Plaza Portofino, with refreshments provided by sponsors such as Ron Blanco by Brugal and Coca Cola.
A little before 5pm the show began – when more than 40 “comparsas” (groups) flooded onto the streets representing their own distinctive areas of the Dominican Republic; Santiago, La Vega, Santo Domingo, Barahona and La Romana among others.
Also getting into the spirit of the celebration – were the Casa de Campo community – many attended in full costumes themselves; from mini-Diablos Cojuelos to cute fish from the movie “Finding Nemo” to the “Chamaquitas” (baseball cheerleaders).
Excitement, vibrant colors, drums, music and a festive ambience are all synonymous with the Dominican Carnival season celebrated every year in the months of February and March across the Dominican Republic. The principal carnival, the “Carnaval Dominicano” or the “Carnaval Vegano” takes place every Sunday through February and attracts thousands of Dominicans and tourists to take part in the action! CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!