Christopher Columbus arrived in what is now the Dominican Republic in December of 1492. The Spanish named the land Santo Domingo (currently referring to the capital city) and dedicated it to Saint Dominic as the patron saint. Most of the indigenous Taino people eventually died from diseases like smallpox brought by the Europeans. In 1501, the Spaniards started importing slaves from Africa to meet their need for slave labor. Spanish men married African or indigenous women early on, and the today most people of the Dominican Republic are mixed-race.
The vast majority of Mixed Dominicans remain in the Dominican Republic (DR), but a diaspora involves nine other countries including the United States, where they have their largest diaspora.
Thousands of Dominicans came through Ellis Island to live in the U.S. in the 1800s and 1900s. A large number came in the 1960s to escape political instability. That exodus continued through the 1970s, mainly because of a high inflation rate in the DR. They are most likely to be found in New York City.
No matter where the live, Mixed Dominicans have a vibrant culture, which blends Spanish, indigenous, and African elements. They are famous for their musical style, merengue. Dominicans also enjoy salsa and bachata music. Their culture is similar to Puerto Ricans and Cubans, but they are less likely to intermarry with non-Dominicans. Typically Dominicans in the U.S. are young, and they are tuned into news from their country, which they want to return to in retirement. Second generation Dominicans are better educated than their parent’s generation. They tend to take on high paying professional jobs. Some have made it on Wall Street as investors. Others have been prominent in movies.
Baseball is their national sport, and Dominicans are famous for their excellence in this sport. Many of America’s best and most famous baseball players are from the DR.
Mixed Dominicans are usually Roman Catholic, but they also have a strong Protestant population, even in the United States. Children ask their parents for a blessing, imitating certain patterns in the Bible. They also ask for blessings from patron saints.
Mixed Dominicans need to put all their faith in Jesus Christ. They need total devotion to the only savior. They can become Christ’s ambassadors to the lost wherever they live.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move powerfully in Dominican families and churches, drawing them closer to Christ.
Pray that soon Dominicans in the United States will disciple others and teach them to disciple others.
Pray for their spiritual and physical needs to be met and for them to give God glory for it.
Scripture Prayers for the Dominican in United States.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominicans
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominican_Americans
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
