Culture Ministry Tours of Slave Routes as Part of International African Ancestry Year

Culture Ministry Tours of Slave Routes as Part of International African Ancestry Year
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic  11/30/2011

As part of the declaration of International African Ancestry Year, the Ministry of Culture (MINC in Spanish), through the Cultural Itinerary Program, has organized an interesting and historical tour of the routes taken by the island´s first slaves.

The “Route of Afro-Descendents” will cover the Colonial City, Santo Domingo East, North and West as well as San Cristobal.

This historical tour, which will take place on December 3rd, will give visitors a marvelous opportunity to learn more about people of African descent. The tours will be given by experts who will lead visitors along the slave routes, sure to be charged with emotions and syncretism.

The “Route of Afro-Descendents” will cover the Colonial City, Santo Domingo East, North and West as well as San Cristobal. As always, visitors will enjoy special events prepared by the Ministry of Culture at various point along the way.

The Atarazanas Port (where slaves were brought to the island on ships with other merchandise), La Negreta (where slaves were held before being sold off to their future owners), and La Picota (a stone column where slaves were punished) are some of the historic places that form part of this tour put together for this occasion.

Also, the Lemba Port, the Academy of Sciences, the Plaza Sixto Minier (from the Congos de Villa Mella), Ermita San Lorenzo (Los Minas), the Engombe Colonial Water Wheel and the Community of Santa María will be visited.

In San Cristóbal, such historic sites as the Ermita San Gregorio Magno and the colonial water wheels of Boca de Nigua and Diego Caballero, are among other points of interest.

The trip includes lunch, free hats and t-shirts, snacks, dances and food. For more information, call (809) 221 4141, extensions 305 or 331.