Rumor has it that Carnival has been happening every February in the Dominican Republic since 1510. The African slaves brought into the New World were permitted once a year to mix some of their pagan celebrations with Spain’s Christian traditions resulting in... well it was just a really fun street party.
Any street party is only as good as its street food, as far as we are concerned. Carnival did not disappoint in the fried mystery meat department. Then there was that Chulitos, a rolled-up finger food that was made out of yucca and stuffed with meat and cheese
The streets are filled with dancing, music, and traditional characters such as the Lechón. These guys hold these látigo (giant whips) which they fling around landing with a giant crack, which apparently purifies the energy- and terrifies the 40-year-old white ladies.
Along with those whips they also wield vejigas, which are inflated cow or pig bladders at the end of a rope. If you get hit by one of those it’s good luck, it also hurts. And if you think that just cause you are one of those 40-year-old white ladies and they wouldn’t dare hit you on your backend, you would be wrong. Lucky... but wrong.
The dancing was spectacular. The Bachata and the Merengue, matched with the costumes prove yet again that the Dominicans know how to have a good time and balance amazing things on their heads.
After the festivals in Spain and Carnival here in the DR we have some ideas flowing for the next Greenville University homecoming parade!
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