The Dominican Republic is known for it’s stunning beaches and sprawling resorts but what few know is that it’s rich in history stretching back thousands of years. So to celebrate that history here are some things you may not have known about the Dominican Republic! AN ISLAND OF FIRSTS After colonization the Dominican Republic was …
Afro-Dominican women have contributed an innumerable amount to Dominican history and yet are often ignored and/or forgotten. We’re breaking the cycle of erasure by sharing 5 Black Dominican women we admire and that you should absolutely know and celebrate. Mamá Tingó (Florinda Muñoz Soriano) Activist for rural farm workers’ rightsBorn: 8 November, 1921Assassinated: 3 November, …
Cabarete is known as the adventure capital of the Dominican Republic so it’s not necessarily known for romance though there are many stunning candlelit restaurants along the beach. But if you’re looking to spice up date night with more than just dinner there are plenty of ways to bring on the adventure. Here are 5 activities …
The Dominican Republic is a country rich in folkloric traditions and beliefs. They’re woven into our everyday lives and are an important, vibrant part of our culture. Part of that folklore is the magic, monsters and mythical creatures that populate our stories. Much like our magical rituals and superstitions, Dominican monsters can trace their origins …
CULTURE: Dominican Monsters & Mythical Creatures Read More »
For many people speaking Spanish can be synonymous with being latinx, so much so that not being able to speak the language can often elicit reactions of shock or derision and can leave non-Spanish speaking latinx feeling frustrated, ashamed or alienated. There are many reasons why a latinx might not be able to speak Spanish, but the …
Latinx Speak: The Importance of Speaking Spanish Read More »
In the Dominican Republic we often spend a lot of time talking about the Taíno and European contributions to our culture and identity and so little about African contributions. Part of it is intentional and another factor is pure ignorance, many in rural areas (so most of the country) don’t know that there were even African …
CULTURE: How the African Diaspora Left It’s Mark on the DR Read More »
Real language and communication happens in idiomatic expressions. Not in the verb conjugations, not in the thesaurus-like catalogue of adjectives stored in our heads or flashcards, but in the everyday words we cobble together to make meaning where there seems to be none. And that, to me, is where language fluency resides as well, somewhere between …
Eight Spanish Language Expressions You NEED to Know Read More »
Magic, superstition, and religious beliefs are woven into the very fabric of Dominican culture and it’s hard to see where one ends and the other begins. It was so normalized, that in my household, no one batted an eye whenever anyone mentioned spirits or witches. Not in a puritanical, fearful way or dripping in skepticism, but …
CULTURE: Dominican Superstitions, Rituals & Spells Read More »
For some reason a popular misconception about Dominicans is that the only thing we eat is rice, beans, and stewed (guisado) chicken, pork or beef. While I can’t argue that this isn’t a main staple in our food, its really not the only thing we eat. In fact, there are so many dishes that are …
My students often joke that I speak four different versions of Spanish and English: their prestige versions, a southern Dominican dialect, and an English a friend likes to call “urban vernacular Dominican-inflected Spanglish.” While I teach prestige English and Spanish I have a deep-rooted love for my dialect and “non-standard” English. They are my default, …