Different Influence on the Culture of the Dominican Republic

¶ … Dominican Republic is an island nation of rich culture and lasting tradition, located in the Caribbean Sea. Winning its status as an independent republic in 1844, the republic is best known for its beaches, resorts, and unique history (Brown, 1999). However, it is perhaps the unique blend of cultural influences from around the world that make this beautiful island the fascinating area it is today. Its influences, stemming from African, Taino, Spanish, and English origin, combine to create an experience more unique than those found almost anywhere in the world.

Of these influences, the Taino Indian culture is the first that can be noted in almost all areas of life in the Dominican Republic. The Tainos inhabited the island from before 11 A.D. through the colonization of the island by Columbus and the Spanish in 1492 (Brown, 1999). From the agricultural practices and foods to the religion and art, the impact of the early Taino Indians is clear.

Agriculturally, the Taino Indians established a system for preserving meat by salting and barbecuing the food (Brown, 1999). Today, the barbecued meats of the Dominican Republic are a mainstay of the culture, heralded the world round as some of the most unique cuisine. In addition, the Tainos introduced the use of the yucca plant as a basis for cassava bread, a type of bread found only in the Dominican. In addition to being a staple of the food culture of the area, it is believed that the Taino's refusal to bake this bread for the coming Spaniards of the late 1400's eventually caused their own demise (Brown, 1999). The Tainos also introduced tobacco to the area.

Artistically, the Taino influence continues to surface, and in some cases, even resurface in today's more blended cultural system of the Dominican Republic. Numerous samples of Taino art have been recovered through archeological excavation, comprising of stone-carved figurines, baskets, and woodcarvings. These findings have resulted in numerous reproductions of the early artworks, and today are often found in a number of forms, including wood, plastic, stone, and glass. In the mid-1990's, musicians began to compose songs mimicking the music of the Indians, and thus brought back the arito, a traditional Taino ritual dance (Brown, 1999).

Religiously, the Taino influence is more subtle, yet still present. The Taino's belief system consisted of the luases, which consist of the powers of fire, water, earth, and wind. While current religions in the Dominican are primarily of Catholic or voodoo decent, the influence of the luases presents its self in both religions extensively (Brown, 1999).

Influences of African cultures are also present in the Dominican Republic. In the 1993 census, many Dominicans reported themselves as having African decent, clearly showing the influence of early Spanish slaves on the previous Indian population of the area (Kryzanek, 1992). Perhaps the most dominant example of the African influence is the rate of polygamy and matriarchy. In the more remote regions of the island, away from the tourist areas, many families are dominated by the female presence. An equal number of households closer to the center of the island practice polygamy (Brown, 1999).

Agriculturally, another mainstay of current Dominican Republic cuisine is the vegetable known as the plantain. Originating in Africa, the plantain is often used today in the toston, eaten daily in many areas. The toston consists of a mixture of meat, boiled plantain, and spices, wrapped in banana leaves. Further agricultural influences are seen in the guandul, a form of lima bean, the yam, watermelon, and guinea hen (Cambeira, 242).

Musically, the culture of the Dominican Republic contains a variety of African influences. In particular, the percussion instruments of Africa have had a long lasting impact on the music of the area. The adenco, spoon-playing, maracas, and the yon are just some examples of these instruments. Made primarily from sugarcane and metal oil drums, these types of devices have become a primary influence in today's musical scene (Austerlitz, 1998).

Spanish influence is also prevalent, particularly in the area of language. The Dominican Republic speaks a variation of Spanish, combined with words of the Taino and African languages. Almost all formal documents of the island are in Spanish, as is the national anthem (Brown, 1999).

Additionally, Spanish influence can be seen in the religious culture. While some of the inhabitants of the island still practice the African voodoo, many are considered Roman Catholic. Stemming from the early churches of colonial periods, the Roman Catholic religion is much like that of Spain. Traditions of the Church have been closely followed by those in the Dominican Republic, such as the recent tradition of folk mass, played on guitar, as opposed to traditional mass played on piano (Brown, 1999).

Additionally, Spanish influence can be seen in the middle and upper class social customs. Music, dance, painting, sculpture, and even the architecture of these classes are highly representative of the Spanish heritage. While the lower class individuals allowed for African and Taino influence, it is only recently that the higher classes have begun to allow for cultural changes (Brown, 1999).

While the Taino, African, and Spanish influence on the culture of the Dominican Republic has been a lasting one, the influence of the United States has been more recent in nature. While much of the influence has been of a political nature, the significance of the cultural impact cannot be ignored. As technology has advanced, the Dominican Republic has been inundated by United States pop culture through movies, television, music, and consumer goods. As this influence has spread among the youth, their culture has altered to allow for questionings of morals and values that were standard for the Dominican Republic for centuries (Hall, 2000).