On Thursday May 23rd, as part of the opening of the Festival de Primavera, culture consultant Xiomarita Pérez led an interactive folk dance workshop showcasing the wide variety of Dominican folk dances still performed today.
The Regional Museum of Archaeology in Altos de Chavon set the stage for teaching the most interesting aspects of Dominican folk dances; Congos, Palos, Sarandunga, Comarca, Gagá, Guloya, Carabiné, Mangulina, Priprí and Merengue dances. Many of these incredible dances are little known in modern Dominican society.
A group of enthusiastic members of the community as well as visitors – both Dominicans and foreigners – all marvelled by the different dances.
People from the audience taking part in the workshop
Xiomarita Pérez explained during the workshop that the roots of Dominican dance come from a mix of indigenous heritage; African and European. These dances are used as rituals or performed on special occasions, like celebrations or Christmas.
A summary of Dominican Folk Dances:
Palos: Is performed in most Dominican provinces. It’s practice is somewhat regulated as it is performed for religious/magical rituals.
Congos: Is a dance from Villa Mella and other areas of Santo Domingo. The female dancer wears a full skirt or if she is wearing pants she must carry a handkerchief at her waist to symbolise a skirt.
Sarandunga: Comes from the Peravia province of the Dominican Republic. Three drums are used to create the music; one large and two small, as well as a “güira”, an instrument inherited from the native Taino indians.
Gagá: Is the result of the meeting between Haitian and Dominican people. This dance is now popular in San Pedro de Macorís. Dancers perform in different colored cloths.
Merengue:Was born in the early years of the Dominican Republic, between 1844 and 1845. Merengue is internationally popular.
Carabiné: Although there are many theories about its origin, it is considered a Dominican dance inherited directly from the Spaniards. It is said that the name derives from the carabina (rifle), which was a firearm used by the French soldiers who arrived in the country in 1781. These soldiers “de-stressed” at the end of the day by dancing in a circle with the carabina on their shoulders. This dance is currently performed in the South of the Dominican Republic.
Mangulina: From the South of the Dominican Republic. It is danced after Carabiné with the couples who did not dance, for this reason it is also called “cola” meaning “tail”.
Pri prí: Is danced in the North of the country. The dancers rotate counter clockwise.
The folk dance workshop by Xiomarita Perez was part of the Festival de Primavera activities held in Altos de Chavon from the 23rd to the 26th May. Read more about this great event below:
Festival de Primavera 2013!
The first Festival de Primavera celebrated from Thursday May 23rd to Sunday May 26th in Altos de Chavón was certainly excellent and unforgettable! Throughout the four day event -a full program of different activities showcased the best of Dominican art and culture- with Casa de Campo villa owners, residents and visitors enjoying concerts, dances, poetry and theater performed by talented children, youth and adults of the Dominican Republic.
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