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THE CARNIVAL MASKS OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

By  Ivan Erickson

This website will attempt to showcase the different traditional carnival mask styles from Santiago, Dominican Republic. The video link below contains a few live scenes of the yearly carnival parade in Santiago and interviews with some participants and mask makers. 

THE MASKS AND COSTUMES IN ACTION!

The Passion and Pride is Evident

In Santiago, carnival is an all day affair every Sunday in February. While the parade does not start in earnest until 3:30 PM, parade participants are getting ready early Sunday morning. There are cash prizes for best masks and best teams from the different neighborhoods.

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LA JOYA MASK BY IVAN ERICKSON

Representing a Santiago neighborhood.

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LOS PEPINES MASK BY IVAN ERICKSON.

This style represents the

Los Pepines area of Santiago.

This is a sample of the multitude of styles of masks and costumes that parade every year in February. Additional pictures wil be added later.

All photographs were taken by

Ivan Erickson during carnival celebrations on the last Sunday in February.

Ivan Erickson holds intellectual property rights over all images and content on this website. Please contact Mr. Erickson for further information.

If you appreciate this Dominican tradition and would like to contribute to support Dominican mask making and promote it in The U.S and underserved Latino communities, please read my appeal at the end of this section.

Carnaval February 2023

New masks and costume styles in 2023

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The pictures below are from past carnival celebrations in Santiago, Dominican Republic :