Los Dominicanos

I know that it´s dangerous to make generalizations of any kind, and particularly so in the case of making generalizations about people. But here are some observations about the Dominican people that I´ve made:

They are a people who have a profound sense of inner joy and love of life. I always feel such a sense of welcome and acceptance when I am here. The members of Cristo Salvador are so warm and friendly -- but so is almost everybody else that I´ve met. Folks seem to be eager to help, and interested in others, grinding poverty notwithstanding.

Everywhere there seems to be music from boomboxes, but not playing rap or heavy metal or something that I think of as ugly and harsh. They are listening to Merengue and Bachata -- local music that has a beat and a melody and a quick tempo. It reflects the attitudes of this lively culture.

Any excuse for a party, too. The cafes, bars, and nightclubs seem to be active everynight. but people also congregate on front porches, on the sidewalks, and in the parks. This is a sociable group and people just seem to like being together.

Culturally, it´s a fascinating place. The Dominican Republic was, of course, a Spanish colony at the beginning of its history. (It was also, briefly, under the control of France, then Haiti, and for some time in the 20th century under control of the US, but that´s a longer and more complicated story...) So there is certainly Spanish influence here. During the colonial era there were indigenous Taino people, most of whom eventually died out from diseases that the Europeans brought with them, and against which the locals had no immunity. When the Taino died off, the Spaniards brought in slaves from Africa to work the sugar plantations. So each of these groups -- indigenous, African, Spanish -- influenced the identity and the culture. Music, food, religious practices are all colored by these different elements.

At the same time, the Dominican Republic is in the Western Hemisphere, so they have an ¨American¨ sort of identity and connection as well. Most have friends and relatives in the US as well, in this strengthens that connection. (Nearly every time I´ve told a Dominican that I am from New Jersey they have answered that they have some relative or other in NJ -- usually Paterson, Elizabeth, Jersey City or Perth Amboy)

In contrast to many other Caribbean nations, here in the DR there has been much intermarriage and miscegenation. Almost nobody looks to be European, or African, or indigenous. Instead, most Dominicans have a sort of cafe au lait or caramel skin color and black hair. Eye color varies from dark to light brown, to green and hazel. As a result, Dominicans have a uniquely exotic beauty.

So... those are my generalizations, which, like most generalizations contain some truth. I do love these people and do love being here.

Hasta luego.