Today, on February 27th, in the Dominican Republic, not only carnival, but also independence from Spain is celebrated.
- The beginnings of the Dominican carnival date back to the 16th century.
- The carnival is celebrated mainly on the coast in Santo Domingo and in the country in La Vega.
- It is a mix of culture, tradition and religion, which becomes a great street party.
- Already weeks before, there are parades with colorful and imaginative costumes taking place from Friday to Sunday.
- The streets vibrate under the rhythms of Merengue and Hip-Hop, Salsa and Bachata as well as Reggae and Techno.
- The center of the carnival is La Vega, where the king of carnival is chosen.
- Hundreds of people with oversized masks adorned with feathers dancing with costumes through the streets.
- The masks, costumes and dances are composed of African and European elements and traditions.
- Every place has its “specialty”: In Monte Cristi with the limping devils, the devil masks and bull customes.
- In Cotuí the costumes of cardboard, paper and banana leaves.
- and in Cabral the symbolic dispute between disguised and non-disguised inhabitants.
- The great parade of Santo Domingo is the spectacular completion of the Dominican carnival, because then it continues with 6 weeks of fasting.