Date of Award

2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Humanities

First Advisor

Zabriskie, Queen

Second Advisor

Viera Vargas, Hugo

Area of Concentration

Music

Abstract

This thesis challenges the denials of blackness as well as the anti-blackness and anti- Haitian sentiments that prevail in the Dominican society, while also addressing the Spanish-Taino only descendant narrative. It does so through EL CIMARRONAJE, a musical album that fusions Afro-Dominican rhythms with other musical styles. EL CIMARRONAJE itself, intends to demonstrate in this essay how Afro-Dominican culture and history have survived through these rhythms. This thesis starts by tracing their history in the first chapter; while in the second chapter, it highlights the different aspects of how EL CIMARRONAJE through its production in collaboration with traditional Dominican percussionists channels the survival of black Dominican culture and history. Thus, EL CIMARRONAJE is not only vocal about blackness in the lyrics of some of the songs but also highlights the importance of shared interest networks and embodied ethnography during its production. It presents and places a meaningful importance on traditional Dominican percussionists, as the most authentic agents that play a crucial role in the reproduction of black Dominican culture and history through these rhythms. This thesis embraces the Africanity of the Dominican people and culture by placing a meaningful importance on the oral knowledge and traditions that have been passed down generation after generation. It also confronts racist narratives. In addition, it portrays how Afro-Dominican culture and history have survived not only through Afro-Dominican drumming but also through the Dominican spiritual syncretism displayed during these drum ensembles. It also finds how what is perceived as Dominican folklore is in reality black Dominican culture and history.

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