Gastronomy and National Patrimony Day

Dominican Folklorist Celebrates

Santo Domingo, December 19, 2019 – Dominican folklorist Xiomarita Pérez, an expert on typical Dominican music and customs, headed the annual event that traditionally ushers in the Christmas season in the Dominican Republic. Pérez, along with a team of collaborators, at the same time organized Dominican Gastronomy and National Patrimony Day.  These events are held the second Sunday in December, as well as on December 10, respectively.

In her opening remarks, folklorist Pérez stated that this year’s event was truly special because the United Nations had declared 2019 as the International Year of Indigenous Languages.

The event, held in various areas of her home – also known as her folkloric refuge – was the perfect venue to entertain friends and those interested in learning more about Dominican dance, music and national dishes.

The annual event began early in the morning, with the music played by the Folkloric Dance Troupe of the Ministry of Tourism, led by Professor Oscar Batista.  The dancers and musicians filled the air with traditional Dominican songs and rhythms, an event enjoyed by all.

The various dishes served were prepared with coconut meat, such as “La Chola”; the Bobote; Conconete and Masita.  Also, the Nun’s Cake; Gualimon; Arepa (Dominican corn bread); Bollo de Maiz (Corn Rolls); Marqueta; Moro de Yonyon and Rice with Green Peas.  These dishes represent all four corners of the country, and especially specific neighborhoods from the National District.

All were served with delicious local beverages and drinks, such as cocoa and refreshing teas made from various local plants.

The second event was to celebrate National Patrimony Day where all those present honored those individuals who continue to work to maintain alive traditional Dominican dishes..

Several individuals were awarded special awards for their gastronomic efforts. Each received a personalized Wooden Masher – a cooking instrument used by the Taino Indians that once inhabited the island – for the efforts they carry out to make sure traditional Dominican dishes are also appreciated and enjoyed by the younger generations.

Awards were issued to Damiana Selmo, with her famous Bobote dish; Gladys Araujo, for her Marqueta; Isabel de la Cruz and Luis Ditrén, for the Chola; Rafael Rosario, for his very popular Conconete and Masita; Milagros Pérez, for her Nun’s Cake; Mirtha Peña, Rice with Milk; Georgina Durán, Corn Roll with Coconut; Ofelia Cuevas, Gualimón and Argentina López, for her corn bread.

Also recognized for their efforts in this area were Zoneida de la Cruz, Cultural Director of the northern section of Santo Domingo; Mónika Pérez, Cultural Director of Independencia Province; gastronomic journalist María Acevedo and Elías Alvarado for their particular interest and enthusiasm for Dominican culture.

These events have been taking place during the past five years, organized by the Dominican School of Popular and Folkloric Rhythms (EDORITMOS).  The goal of the events is to keep Dominican music, dance and gastronomy present in the lives of all Dominicans who live in the country and also abroad.

Folklorist Xiomarita Pérez encouraged all those who on a daily basis work to preserve Dominican gastronomic traditions, to continue with their particular recipes in order to preserve decades-old Dominican traditions.  It is a way, she explained, of also building a small business.by selling their particular specialties.

She also explained that it is important to continuously support local folklore, because it is a way of maintaining alive the voice and traditions of all Dominicans. Folklore, she explained, is much more than a dance, music, musical instruments, arts and crafts, costumes, rites, beliefs, legends and, most importantly, its gastronomy.

Pérez has dedicated most of her professional career to research, discover, study and make Dominican folklore a tradition to be proud of.