Later, the Spanish inhabitants of the island brought African slaves, giving rise to yet another mixture of customs and ethnicities.
[1] In the Dominican Republic, the word folklore (Folclore for Spanish) appeared for the first time on February 10, 1884, nearly several decades after its independence from Haiti.
Some historians believe that the first Carnival celebrations came with the visit of Fray Bartolomé de las Casas, when the inhabitants dressed up as Moors and Christians.
Over time, the Carnival evolved and merged with African traditions, creating a unique celebration that is characteristic of Dominican culture.
A little about some of the most popular ones: Mythical figures in Dominican culture include Ciguapa, Jupías, Biembienes, Galipote, Bacá, Marimantas, and the Cuco.