Carnaval de la Marina 2014 – a cultural extravaganza

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The Carnaval Dominicano, or the Dominican Carnival is the embodiment of what it is to be Dominican, it is the biggest and best celebration of the Dominican Republic’s rich culture and history, and it is incredible to watch. Last Saturday the 22nd of February, the Marina Casa de Campo hosted their annual Carnaval de la Marina and the chic streets came to life with all the excitement, vibrant colors, drums, music and festive ambiance synonymous with the Dominican Carnival season as experienced in La Romana, Santo Domingo or La Vega. This year with visitors having travelled from across the Dominican Republic; Punta Cana, Bavaro, Santo Domingo and La Romana, the Casa de Campo villa owners were outnumbered by tourists – local and international – who flocked to the Marina Casa de Campo for an afternoon of fun and culture. With several thousand visitors – the atmosphere in the Marina buzzed before the Carnaval even got going. And then with a bang of drums, the cracking of the Diablos Cojuelos whips and the rumble of merengue music, the Carnaval de la Marina was underway.

Lechones of Santiago de los Caballeros

Led by the king and queen of the carnival, singer Sergio Vargas and Luis Maria Ortiz, both dressed in suitably regal and elaborate costumes in a rainbow of beautiful colors – setting the tone perfectly for what was to come. With comparsas (the individual carnival groups) from across the Dominican Republic; Santiago, Bani, San Pedro de Macoris, Cotuí, La Vega, Cabral, Santo Domingo, La Romana, Higuey, Nigua and Barahona, this was a living, breathing, gyrating display of the diversity of culture found in this small country. First came Juampa, the famous designer of Dominican Carnival character born in 1961 in Cotuí (a town in the North of Dominican Republic), who this years Carnival was in honor of. Glittering from head to toe in shiny strips, there could be no doubt that this was Juampa famous for the creation of the “Papeluses” a character very popular in the Dominican Carnival and which he was disguised. Following shortly behind were the Platanuses of Cotuí, also honored in this years Carnaval, who cover their bodies from head to toe in dried plantain leaves. And from there the parade continued with:

• The “Diablos Cojuelos” of La Vega and Santo Domingo – pictured below.
• The “Lechones” of Santiago de los Caballeros – pictured above.
• The “Roba la Gallina” of La Vega – (typically a man dressed as a woman), click here to read more about this famous Dominican carnaval character.
• The “Pintaos” of Barahona – who literally paint their entire bodies with real paint, so that they resemble a kind of tribal group.
• The “Guloyas” of San Pedro de Macoris – their head are decorated with long colorful peacock feathers, and their outfits are complemented by a brightly colored layers, colored stones and mirrors.
• The “Indios” and “Africanos” of Santo Domingo – with costumes that resemble the ancestors of the tribes of Indians and Africans.
• And many others!

Diablos Cojuelos of Santo Domingo and La Vega

Flowing first up the Paseo del Mar and back again, the parade in all it’s stomping colorful glory then passed along the Calle Barlovento and burst onto the stage at the Plaza Portofino. One by one each comparsa took to the stage with the event organizers for one last dance, while the thousands of spectators crammed into the plaza for drinks and to absorb the electric party atmosphere at sunset. Congratulations and thank you to the Marina Casa de Campo for investing so much, and to the enthusiastic army of Casa de Campo villa owners who helped organise such a fun event! The following collection of photos were taken at the Carnaval de la Marina at the Marina Casa de Campo on Saturday February 22nd, 2014: