Brief introduction
The Kukuru dance theatrical tradition, created by workers in the mid-19th century among English-speaking immigrants from the Caribbean from the Dominican Republic. The term "kukuru" originally had a pejorative connotation of immigrants who worked on the island's British sugar plantations. They set up their own churches, schools, charities and gathering houses to help each other and organize collective cultural events, such as the annual Kukuru dance theatre event in San Pedro.
Dominica is located in the eastern part of the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea
Regional and historical context
Dominica is located in the eastern part of the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea. It is bordered by Haiti to the west, the Caribbean Sea to the south, the Atlantic Ocean to the north, and Puerto Rico to the east across the Mona Strait. The territory is high and mountainous, and the Cordillera Mountains are divided into three parts: the center, the north and the east. At 3,175 metres above sea level, Duarte Peak in the centre is the highest peak in the West Indies. There is the Siwaao Valley in the north-central part and a large arid desert in the west. The main rivers are the North Yak River and the Yuyo River. Lake Enriquilo in the southwest is the largest lake and the lowest point on land in Latin America, with a level of more than 40 meters below sea level. The northern and eastern parts have a tropical rainforest climate, and the southwest has a savannah climate.
The Kukuru culture has a special role in witnessing the historical development of Dominica
Dominica, co-located with Haiti on the island of Spain. It has a population of about 9 million to 10 million. The island of Spain is the second largest island in the Caribbean Sea after Cuba. Originally inhabited by American Indians. Arrived in 1492 by the voyage of Christopher Columbus. In 1496, the Spaniards founded the city of Santo Domingo on the island, becoming the first permanent settlement of European colonists in the Americas. It belonged to France in 1795. It was returned to Spain in 1809. On February 27, 1844, it became independent and established the Dominican Republic. 95% of Dominicans are Catholic. About 15 per cent of the Dominican population is of mixed descent, 16 per cent is Hispanic and 80 per cent is of African descent. The influence of Columbus and the Spanish missionaries was so strong that the Bible was compulsory in school.
On Christmas Day on December 25th and the first week of January, there are a variety of Kukuru dance theatre performances
Basic information about Kukuru Dance Drama
On Christmas Day on December 25th and the first week of January, there are a variety of Kukuru dance theatre performances. It can also be seen every year on June 24 during the festivals and carnivals that pay homage to St. Peter, the city's protectors. In this type of performance, music, dance, gestures, characters of African origin and plots of drama, legends, characters drawn from medieval European literature, and biblical characters are mixed. The festivities also include gatherings such as Christmas carols, string music and percussion band performances. There is also a commercial activity known as "Nigo", which includes masquerade balls and theatrical performances with scenes, such as "David and Goliath", "Moko-Yombi", "Cowboy and Indian" and "Mommy".
The influence of African culture is reflected in the particular values, customs and institutions of Kukuru society
Combining traditions
The Kukuru culture combines African and British traditions, so it has a special role in witnessing the historical development of the Dominican Republic. The influence of African culture is reflected in the particular values, customs and institutions of Kukuru society, and can also be found in the unique culinary and medicinal traditions, linguistic forms, social institutions (such as churches, meeting places, sports clubs and schools), and dance and theatrical traditions that resemble medieval scenes. These particular dance theatre traditions, which combine African and British traditions, have survived in the island's Spanish cultural environment. Older people in the Kukuru community still use their special Caribbean-flavored English at home. Today, the COCOLO community is scattered in different parts of the Dominican Republic, and most of it is integrated into the wider Dominican society. THIS DEVELOPMENT HAS BECOME MORE DIFFICULT FOR THE ELDERLY COCOLO TO PASS ON TO THE YOUNGER GENERATION WITH HIS KNOWLEDGE IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN ITS SPECIFIC INSTITUTION AND KEEP THE TRADITION OF DANCE THEATER ALIVE AT ALL TIMES.
In 2005, Dominica nominated the "Kukuru Dance Drama" to be inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Oral and Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.