The city of Santa Bárbara, capital of Samaná Province in northeastern coast of Samaná Bay in the Dominican Republic, is a destination for nature lovers, honeymooners, and whale-watchers.
The Samaná Province is also home to what is known in the Dominica Republic as Americanos de Samaná (Samaná-Americans) where descendants of free black Americans immigrated beginning in 1824. They took advantage of the pro-African immigration policy of then president Jean Pierre boyer when Samaná was under Haitian rule. This migration to Santa Bárbara, Samaná began with 34 African-American families. Naturally, this African-American culture distinguished themselves from the rest of the Dominican Republic as they maintain many elements of 19th century African-American culture—such as their brand of English, food, games, community organizations, African-American names, manners, music and some recipes that have been preserved as a result of their isolation, which until the 20th century was accessible only by boat. Most are of the African Methodist Episcopal and Wesleyan faith brought to the island by their ancestors.
Frederick Douglass addressing a crowd of about 200 African-Americans who migrated to the Dominican Republic, January 28, 1871.
So many free Blacks moved from the United States to the Caribbean, not only because of the weather and beautiful beaches, but to get away from a racist society. Today, it is estimated that 80% of the population in Samaná is of African-American descent. While it is difficult to estimate the number of Samaná Americans today due to intermarriage and emigration from Samaná. The number is estimated to be around 8,000.There are no monolingual English-speakers anymore; all Samaná-Americans are bilingual in English and Spanish. As a result of the influence of mainstream Dominican culture, including compulsory Spanish-language education, many of the old markers of African-American culture are no more.
Comparatively speak, these Black folks succeeded in escaping racism. Blacks in the other parts of the Dominican Republic are looked at as having a lower social status than lighter skinned and more Spanish looking people. This is even more prominent closer to Haiti because of Dominicans dislike of Haitians who are mainly of very dark skin. But all the way across the island, in Samaná, almost all of the people who live there are very dark skinned as well, but their skin color isn’t an issue.
Frederick Douglass addressing a crowd of about 200 African-Americans who migrated to the Dominican Republic, January 28, 1871.So many free Blacks moved from the United States to the Caribbean, not only because of the weather and beautiful beaches, but to get away from a racist society. Today, it is estimated that 80% of the population in Samaná is of African-American descent. While it is difficult to estimate the number of Samaná Americans today due to intermarriage and emigration from Samaná. The number is estimated to be around 8,000.There are no monolingual English-speakers anymore; all Samaná-Americans are bilingual in English and Spanish. As a result of the influence of mainstream Dominican culture, including compulsory Spanish-language education, many of the old markers of African-American culture are no more.Comparatively speak, these Black folks succeeded in escaping racism. Blacks in the other parts of the Dominican Republic are looked at as having a lower social status than lighter skinned and more Spanish looking people. This is even more prominent closer to Haiti because of Dominicans dislike of Haitians who are mainly of very dark skin. But all the way across the island, in Samaná, almost all of the people who live there are very dark skinned as well, but their skin color isn’t an issue.