Written by Danielle Adelaide Cairo
This past July, I happily spent two weeks in my home country of Republica Dominicana. It’s an island so full of life and rich cultural heritage, food that brings comfort and palate, and my favorite of all, music. Infectious rhythms are carried throughout all genres that belong to us, from Merengue to Bachata to our traditional folk music representing our African-Caribbean roots, Palos and Congos.
Merengue, which was born in the Dominican Republic, is a musical style that represents our island in its entirety as our spirit lives in our dance every time we give our souls completely to the rhythm. Its style is rooted in Africa, which then transcended in the Dominican Republic (particularly in the city of Santiago De los Caballeros), which is where my beloved family is from and has planted roots for generations.
On my trip, I noted there wasn’t one instance where music wasn’t heard, especially during my weekend stay at the beach. My day started and ended by laying in a cabana and ordering a Jugo de Chinola (Passionfruit Juice) and a Pescado Frito (Fried Fish), a Dominican classic. In the background you hear people laughing loudly, the waves of the ocean smacking into one another, and of course music. What was once real, feels like a fever dream now, I could hear the magical voice of renowned artist Juan Luis Guerra sing “Oh oh ojalá que llueva café en el campo, Que caiga un aguacero de yuca y té, Del cielo una jarina de queso blanco.” The lyrics bring pictures into my mind, of beautiful people from home dancing to bachata so effortlessly and passionately, in one another’s arms.
Bachata is like no other genre, rooted in such intimacy, like the expression of belonging to someone through music and dance. A genre that was once forbidden to be danced or played, but people still did it behind the regime of our old Dictator Rafael Trujillo. Many bachata songs depict themes of love, heartbreak, and struggle, sometimes vulgar by some societies. Even with the unfair marginalization’s by the elite, Bachata carried on and is a reflection of my island’s history, struggles, and resilience.
The Dominican Republic might be a small island, but we have distinct eccentricities, and our music is tenderly known worldwide. We take pride in the fact that old traditions in performing arts, such as the performances of Palo (a type of music played at festivals honoring saints) are still recited today.
My island is an endless fount of talent and fluency, I am dearly in love with where I come from. The birthplace of my customs and mannerisms, where my mother tongue is spoken so freely. A place where I feel most loved and safe, just like the saying goes, “There’s no place like home…”
