In the Dominican Republic, an encounter can begin with three words that might baffle anyone who translates Spanish literally. A friend arrives, a message pops up, a conversation begins, and out comes this familiar phrase: “¿Qué lo que?” It doesn’t require a complicated explanation. Above all, it establishes a connection. Behind this phrase lies a social convention, a way of speaking, and, now, three very recognizable letters: KLK.
What does "¿Qué lo que?" really mean?
The closest equivalent would be “what’s new?”, “what’s going on?”, or, in English, “what’s up?”. SpanishDictionary classifies the expression as a regionalism used in Dominican Republic and as a greeting. In other words, a literal translation isn’t very helpful. In conversation, “¿Qué lo que?” primarily serves as a casual opening. The response, therefore, doesn’t need to be a detailed account of one’s day. Like many greetings, the expression can simply establish a sense of closeness between two people. Context, tone, and the nature of the relationship matter just as much as the words themselves. This is where local speech eludes overly literal translations.
A phrase that depends on tone and context
Saying “¿Qué lo que?” is not the same as using a neutral phrase in every situation. It’s informal in tone. Its power lies in everyday conversations among family, friends, or people who share the same cultural codes. An expression is never just a definition. It also indicates who is speaking, to whom, in what situation, and with what degree of closeness. Vocabulary thus becomes an indicator of social life. In the Dominican Republic, this phrase is one of the elements associated with a local way of speaking.
From “¿Qué lo que?” to KLK
The story becomes more interesting when it moves from speech to the screen. In written exchanges, the phrase is commonly shortened to three letters: KLK. This abbreviation preserves the sound and intent of the greeting while adapting to the speed of digital messaging. The phenomenon is prominent enough to be addressed in institutional discussions about Dominican speech. In 2022, a meeting organized by the Academia Dominicana de la Lengua on the way people speak in Santo Domingo was titled “¿KLK ciudad? ¿Cómo habla la ciudad de Santo Domingo?” .” The choice of KLK in this title shows just how effectively these three letters can function as an immediately recognizable linguistic sign in the Dominican context.
When Three Letters Become a Symbol of Identity
The connection between “¿Qué lo que?” and Dominican identity also extends beyond the island’s borders. A study presented in 2024 at the Hispanic Linguistics Symposium examined several elements of the Dominican lexicon among 25 residents of Long Island, New York. In particular, the researchers observed that “que lo qué” was associated with Dominican identity by the participants. The expression was also strongly linked to perceptions of friendliness. The study thus demonstrates how certain words travel with communities and continue to evoke social associations far from the territory where they are used.
This finding does not mean that all Dominicans use “¿Qué lo que?” in the same way, nor that the expression alone sums up Dominican Spanish. The Academia Dominicana de la Lengua points out that speech patterns vary by region, with each area having its own rhythms, sounds, and words. It is precisely this diversity that makes it unique.
A short phrase, a bigger story
With “¿Qué lo que? ”, three words are all it takes to start a conversation. With KLK, three letters are now all it takes to convey that same sense of complicity on a screen. Oral tradition, digital writing, and the diaspora—this formula reminds us that a language also evolves through everyday usage. Perhaps that’s what makes these expressions so valuable. They don’t just exist in dictionaries. They circulate among people, change form, and sometimes become identifying markers. After “KLK,” what other Caribbean expression deserves to be decoded to understand what a region reveals through its way of speaking?
“¿Qué lo que?” is a colloquial Dominican expression used as a greeting. Depending on the context, it can be similar to “what’s new?”, “what’s going on?”, or the English phrase “what’s up?”
KLK is the abbreviation for “¿Qué lo que?” and is used primarily in written and digital communication. These three letters help preserve the spirit of this Dominican greeting in messages and on social media.
“¿Qué lo que?” is strongly associated with Dominican linguistic usage. Beyond its meaning, the expression can serve as a marker of closeness and identity, even within Dominican communities living outside the country.
In Santo Domingo, Kundengo Minier and César Namnúm were recently honored for more than five decades dedicated to traditional Dominican music and sound. But during the concert A Ritmo de Son, the two men weren’t just there to receive an award: they picked up their instruments, shared the stage, and reminded everyone that a musical heritage remains alive as long as it continues to be played.
A tribute that ends with music
There were plaques of recognition and tributes. But above all, there was music. Kundengo Minier and César Namnúm shared the stage during A Ritmo de Son, a concert led by Roberto Bobadilla and the Son Urbano ensemble. The evening blended sound, dance, and cultural memory. The two musicians performed several songs, including “Ven mi morena”, “Celo al aire”, “Isabel”, La Paloma and A la loma de Belén. Their collaboration culminated in “Cuarto de Tula”. A moment that summed up the spirit of the evening: the two men were not being celebrated for a chapter that had closed, but for the music they continue to share.
The Centro Cultural Banreservas and the Fundación Arte y Cultura Raíces sought to recognize careers spanning more than five decades dedicated to the preservation, research, and dissemination of sound. Behind this tribute lies a question: How does music endure across generations without becoming merely a memory?
Kundengo Minier: Passing on Knowledge Through the Hands
At Kundengo Minier, the answer lies first and foremost in the performance itself. A guitarist and cuatrista, he also builds his own instruments. For more than fifty years, his career has been dedicated to preserving and promoting the sound and other forms of expression found in traditional Dominican music.
This aspect gives his journey a special power. Passing on music isn’t just about preserving recordings or recounting what it once represented. In his case, this transmission also involves the physical aspect: crafting an instrument, understanding its tones, holding it in one’s hands, and continuing to play. Heritage thus becomes tangible. It lives on in craftsmanship and in the gestures that others can observe, learn, and then replicate.
César Namnúm: Keeping Memory Alive
César Namnúm represents another way of bringing this music to life. A musician, speaker, and writer, he is known for his work researching, promoting, and disseminating traditional Dominican music and other musical forms. While Kundengo Minier embodies, in particular, instrumental practice and instrument-making, César Namnúm reminds us that a tradition must also be recounted, documented, and shared in order to continue to thrive.
These two paths complement each other. One shows how a culture is passed down through hands and instruments. The other highlights the importance of speech, research, and dissemination. Together, they give the word “preservation” a much more vibrant meaning.
Dominican music isn't just for show
Maybe that’s what the evening A Ritmo de Son showed most clearly. After the tribute, the music continued with Son Urbano and a set list that included, among others, “La Zona merece un son”, Son a Villa Francisca, Son de San Antón or even Tribute to Piro Valerio. The audience was swept up in the rhythm and the dance. The sound, therefore, was not presented as a museum exhibit to be viewed from a distance. It filled the space, brought the musicians together, and got those who had come to hear it moving.
Preserving traditional music also means ensuring that it continues to be heard and performed. It means creating spaces where it can be performed, where its stories can be told, and where new audiences can discover it.
Who will take over?
After more than five decades of work, Kundengo Minier and César Namnúm embody two complementary ways of passing on Dominican music. Their recognition celebrates what they have already accomplished, but also draws attention to what still needs to be shared. For a musical heritage does not survive solely through those who have carried it for fifty years. It also depends on those who subsequently choose to learn it, play it, tell its story, and share it.
The question raised by this tribute therefore looks as much to the future as it does to the past: after Kundengo Minier and César Namnúm, whose hands, voices, and stages will keep the Dominican sound alive?Preserving traditional music also means ensuring that it remains heard and practiced. It means creating spaces where it can be performed, where its stories can be told, and where new audiences can discover it.
Kundengo Minier is a Dominican musician, guitarist, cuatrista, and instrument maker. For more than five decades, he has been helping to preserve and pass on traditional Dominican music and sounds.
César Namnúm is a Dominican musician, speaker, and writer. His career has focused primarily on the research, promotion, and dissemination of traditional music and other musical expressions of the Dominican Republic.
Kundengo Minier and César Namnúm were honored in Santo Domingo for more than fifty years dedicated to the preservation, research, and promotion of Dominican sound and traditional music.
In the southwestern part of the Dominican Republic, the landscape seems to defy geography. Lake Enriquillo, said to be the largest lake in the Caribbean, lies in a depression whose surface is 40 meters below sea level. It is a vast saltwater lake with no outlet to the ocean, home to American crocodiles and iguanas. Behind this very concrete scene lies a much broader question: how did such a unique lake come to be here, and what does it reveal about the territory that surrounds it?
Lake Enriquillo, a lake with no outlet to the sea
One of the keys lies in the very shape of the basin. The United States Geological Survey (USGS), a government research agency specializing in Earth sciences, describes Lake Enriquillo and the neighboring Lake Azuéi in Haiti as two salt lakes located in the Hispaniola rift valley. Both occupy a closed basin: their waters have no natural outlet to the sea.
This lack of an outlet changes everything. The lake’s water level depends heavily on rainfall, runoff, and evaporation. When water enters the basin, it is not drained into the ocean. Evaporation therefore plays a major role in the system’s balance, while salts remain concentrated in the water. This is one of the reasons why USGS researchers classify the lake as hypersaline.
The landscape is therefore never completely static. Landsat images analyzed by the USGS show dramatic changes over the decades. Between 2002 and 2016, a sharp rise in water levels submerged farmland and displaced thousands of families. In Lake Enriquillo, this geographical reality is also evident in the daily lives of the riverside communities.
A Shelter for Reptiles
Another unique feature of Lake Enriquillo can be seen along the water’s edge. The Dominican Republic’s population of American crocodiles is confined to this geographical area. In this dry, salty landscape, the presence of this large reptile gives the lake a particularly strong ecological identity.
Iguanas are also part of the scenery. Two species are found in this region, including Ricord’s iguana, a species with a very limited range on Hispaniola. Isla Cabritos, one of the recommended stops in the national park, is an iconic spot for observing this wildlife and understanding the site’s biological richness.
This biodiversity also explains the level of protection afforded to the territory. Lake Enriquillo has been listed since 2002 as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. The lake is also part of the Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve, designated in the Dominican Republic in 2002 and, since 2017, integrated into a transboundary biosphere reserve with La Selle, in Haiti, under the auspices of UNESCO.
When Lake Enriquillo Also Tells Us About the Climate
The lake is also of interest to scientists for a less obvious reason: its sediments preserve information about the climate of the past. In 2019, the USGS team retrieved several sediment cores from the lake, some of which were about five meters long. Their goal was to reconstruct the history of precipitation and droughts in the Caribbean during the recent Holocene.
Lake Enriquillo is thus more than just a geographical curiosity. Its sediment layers, fluctuating water level, and salinity form a natural archive that allows scientists to study the balance between rainfall and evaporation. What we see on the surface today can therefore help researchers better understand climate variations that have occurred over thousands of years.
About 40 meters that change the way you see things
What ultimately makes Lake Enriquillo so memorable is an apparent contradiction: the largest lake in the Caribbean is located in one of the driest regions of the Dominican Republic, below sea level, yet it is home to remarkable wildlife and preserves part of the Caribbean’s climate history in its depths.
The figure of about 40 meters catches the eye. But above all, it opens a door to a region where geology, climate, biodiversity, and human lives remain intimately intertwined. What if some of the Caribbean’s most fascinating destinations were precisely those whose landscapes first force us to rethink what we thought we knew?
Lake Enriquillo is located in the southwestern part of the Dominican Republic. It lies in a closed basin and is about 40 meters below sea level.
Lake Enriquillo has no natural outlet to the sea. The water that flows into the lake evaporates, leaving the salts concentrated, which explains its hypersaline nature.
Lake Enriquillo is said to be the largest lake in the Caribbean. Located below sea level, it is home to American crocodiles and iguanas, among other species, and its sediments preserve evidence of the region’s past climate.
In Barahona, in the southwestern part of the Dominican Republic, a blue stone bridges geology, craftsmanship, and national identity. Larimar is not only prized for its color: its history is tied to a specific region, to those who mine it, and to those who craft it. From the Sierra de Bahoruco to the jewelry workshops, its journey illustrates how a local resource can become cultural heritage, a symbol, and a cause for conservation.
In Barahona, a stone begins its journey
In 1974, Dominican artisan Miguel Méndez became interested in a blue stone known in the Barahona region. Together with geologist Norman Rilling, he helped identify its deposit and develop its use in jewelry. Méndez also gave it its name: “Larimar,” a combination of “Larissa,” his daughter’s first name, and “mar,” the Spanish word for “sea.” Behind this name, which has become familiar in the Dominican Republic, lies a history deeply rooted in a region, a family, and a tradition of craftsmanship.
Larimar: Why Is This Stone So Unique?
Larimar is a blue variety of pectolite that Dominican authorities claim is unique to the country. Its deposit is located in the Sierra de Bahoruco, in the southwestern part of the Dominican Republic, specifically in the communities of Los Checheses and La Filipina, in the province of Barahona. Its color, which ranges from light blue to deeper shades, gives it an instantly recognizable visual identity.
But its uniqueness lies not only in its appearance. It stems above all from its geographical origin: Barahona is not merely a backdrop for the stone; it is the place that gives it its history. This geographical context changes the way we view it: behind every crafted piece lies the concept of a heritage that the country intends to preserve.
When stone passes through the hands of artisans
Extracting this stone is just the beginning. Once it’s out of the ground, the material must be sorted, cut, polished, and then transformed. That’s where artisans play a vital role. Jewelry, pendants, rings, and decorative pieces give the stone a second life and transform a mineral resource into a cultural artifact. In December 2025, Dominican authorities reported that at least half of the extracted material remained in the country to be processed locally, particularly in the fields of handicrafts and jewelry.
This transformation represents a significant challenge: retaining more value within the region rather than simply exporting raw materials. It also helps maintain a visible connection between the stone’s origin and the processes that give it its final form before it enters the international market.
How did Larimar become a Dominican symbol?
This relationship between the stone, the region, and the craftsmanship has gradually transcended commercial boundaries. On November 4, 2011, Law 296-11 designated Larimar as the “National Stone” of the Dominican Republic. Since the passage of another law in 2018, November 22 has also been designated as National Larimar Day.
These recognitions lend an institutional dimension to what the artisans and communities of Barahona have been building for decades. Choosing this stone, then, is no longer simply a matter of selecting a blue stone. The stone evokes a place, a history of transformation, and an identity that the country has chosen to officially recognize.
Protecting the name “Larimar Barahona”
The next question was almost inevitable: How can this designation of origin be protected when the stone is exported? The answer today lies in the “Larimar Barahona” designation of origin. Its international registration under the World Intellectual Property Organization’s Lisbon System allows the name to be legally linked to the territory from which it originates.
In June 2026, the Dominican Ministry of Energy and Mines reported that this designation was protected in 28 countries. The goal goes beyond combating the misuse of the name. It also aims to improve traceability and encourage cutting, polishing, and jewelry making in the Dominican Republic.
From Barahona to the World: The True Story of Larimar
The story of this stone ultimately tells of much more than just a geological curiosity. A material buried in the Sierra de Bahoruco became a resource, then a craft, a national symbol, and now a heritage that the Dominican Republic seeks to protect beyond its borders. In this story, Barahona remains, even today, both the starting point and the central thread.
Perhaps this is where the true heritage value of this stone lies. Its uniqueness stems not only from its rarity, but also from the connection between a place, people, and the processes that transform the stone. Protecting this connection also raises a broader question: in the Caribbean, a region rich in traditions deeply rooted in their territories, how many other forms of craftsmanship could, in turn, become cultural heritage that is better recognized, better passed down, and better protected?
Larimar is a blue variety of pectolite associated with the Dominican Republic. Its deposit is located in the Sierra de Bahoruco, in the province of Barahona.
Larimar has become a national symbol associated with Dominican identity, craftsmanship, and expertise. It was designated the national gemstone of the Dominican Republic in 2011.
The “Larimar Barahona” designation of origin protects the connection between the stone and its region of origin. In particular, it aims to preserve the stone’s traceability, authenticity, and the value created locally through its processing.
Standing in front of a screen displaying 1,083,448 visitors, Minister David Collado presented the results for July 2026. Behind this record-breaking tourism figure in the Dominican Republic, authorities want to highlight concrete impacts on employment, suppliers, and government revenue. But the figures also reveal a concentration of arrivals in just a few regions.
A New Milestone Reached in July
The Dominican Republic welcomed 921,718 tourists arriving by air and 161,730 cruise ship passengers in July, for a total of 1,083,448 visitors. This figure represents a 2.9% increase compared to July 2025, a 6.4% increase compared to 2024, and a 60.6% increase compared to 2019.
In the first seven months of 2026, the country welcomed a total of 7,700,118 visitors: 5,885,259 arrived by air and 1,814,859 by sea. The cumulative total is 7% higher than in 2025 and 10.4% higher than in 2024. Tourism in the Dominican Republic thus confirms a growth trend that is not based on a single exceptional month.
Punta Cana accounts for 58% of air arrivals
This is a national record, but the distribution remains uneven. In July, Punta Cana Airport handled 537,204 passengers, accounting for 58% of all air arrivals. Las Américas received 219,494 passengers, or 24%, while Cibao handled 119,662, or 13%. Puerto Plata accounted for 3%, compared with 1% each for La Romana and Samaná.
This breakdown highlights Punta Cana’s significance to tourism in the Dominican Republic. However, other destinations are also experiencing strong activity. Nationwide hotel occupancy reached 76%, with 92% in Bayahíbe, 83% in La Romana, 82% in Miches, and 80% in the Bávaro–Punta Cana area.
183,000 jobs generated by occupied rooms
Authorities estimate that hotels support more than 183,000 direct jobs and that approximately 605,000 people depend economically on the tourism industry. The kitchen is the largest source of hotel jobs, with 42,460 positions. Restaurants account for 28,991, and bars for 14,443.
In addition to these occupations are services, maintenance, security, tours, transportation, and retail. Yanira Eusebio, a beverage vendor on Guayacanes Beach, explained that the renovation of her sales stand and customer service training had helped her increase her income. Her story serves as a reminder that tourism in the Dominican Republic is not limited to hotel resorts.
Salaries, Suppliers, and Taxes
In July, the total payroll for hotels reached 4.77 billion Dominican pesos. Purchases from suppliers totaled 11.59 billion, or more than 374 million pesos per day. The sector also paid 8.729 billion pesos in taxes, according to data presented by the ministry.
The supply chain amplifies these benefits. According to Deputy Minister Jacqueline Mora, 92% of the farmland that supplies hotel kitchens is located outside the Eastern Region. Consequently, a portion of the spending generated by tourism in the Dominican Republic benefits producers located far from the popular beaches.
Do visitors leave the hotels?
Six out of ten tourists reportedly participated in activities outside their accommodations, including excursions, tours, snorkeling, or buggy rides. This tourism activity can support tour guides, transportation providers, restaurant owners, and small businesses. It also allows visitors to explore regions and cultural heritage sites beyond the scope of an all-inclusive vacation. Satisfaction levels remain high: an average of 4.4 out of 5, with 91% of respondents saying they would like to return and 59% stating they would recommend the destination.
What the record doesn't show yet
These results illustrate the sector’s economic strength, but not its full distribution. They do not specify job stability, wages by occupation, or the share of revenue retained in each municipality. Nor do they measure the impacts on housing, water, waste management, or coastal areas. The next challenge for tourism in the Dominican Republic will therefore be to transform record visitor numbers into sustainable value. After 1,083,448 visitors in July, the question is no longer just how many people are arriving, but how many local communities, workers, and businesses are thriving alongside them.
The Dominican Republic welcomed 1,083,448 visitors in July 2026. This total includes 921,718 tourists arrived by air and 161,730 cruise passengers.
According to data from the Ministry of Tourism, hotels support more than 183,000 direct jobs. In July 2026, they are said to have paid 4.77 billion pesos in wages, purchased 11.59 billion pesos in goods and services from suppliers, and generated 8.729 billion pesos in taxes.
Punta Cana remains the country’s main gateway for tourists. In July 2026, its airport welcomed 537,204 passengers, or 58% of air arrivals, ahead of Las Américas with 24% and Cibao with 13%.
In Santiago de los Caballeros, in the Dominican Republic, some Victorian houses still feature their ornate balconies, zinc roofs, and bright colors. Yet behind these facades, time is taking its toll. Abandonment, deterioration, and squatting are undermining part of this heritage. According to urban planner Reynaldo Peguero, approximately 400 Victorian and Republican-era buildings remain in the city. Each one tells more than just an architectural story: it tells the story of a neighborhood, a family, and sometimes a chapter in the nation’s history.
This reality gives a concrete face to the ongoing debate in the Dominican Republic. On July 24, 2026, the Senate approved, on second reading, a bill on the protection and acquisition of cultural heritage. The bill must still be reviewed by the Chamber of Deputies before it can be sent to the executive branch. It is therefore not yet an enacted law. Behind this bill lies a practical challenge: restoring an old building requires resources, while allowing time to take its toll can erode its value. The solution, therefore, cannot rely solely on property owners or the government alone.
Dominican Republic: Where Property Meets Memory
The bill recognizes public or private properties of historical, artistic, architectural, archaeological, documentary, scientific, or ethnological value as cultural heritage. It also covers intangible heritage, underwater heritage, and certain collections. The owner would retain ownership of the property but would be required to comply with specific obligations: to maintain it, to allow inspections, and to seek authorization before making certain alterations.
The most debated measure is expropriation. Under certain circumstances, the government may acquire private property when a lack of maintenance threatens its preservation, when its preservation so requires, or when a public interest is established. The procedure must comply with the legal framework and provide for compensation.
The issue, therefore, goes beyond a simple conflict between the government and property owners. When a historic house collapses, it is not just a private building that disappears. It is traditional craftsmanship, family memories, and a way of living in the city that are lost. The property belongs to one person. But the memory it holds can belong to an entire community.
A living heritage, not just a backdrop
In the Dominican Republic, Reynaldo Peguero is calling for better identification of vulnerable buildings and for coordination among public and private stakeholders. Saúl Abreu, executive director of the Association for the Development of Santiago, also believes that the government should consider acquiring properties of significant heritage value. The goal would not be to preserve these houses in their current state, but to give them a new purpose: as a museum, cultural space, training center, or institutional building.
This approach aligns with a key principle for the Dominican Republic: preservation does not simply mean maintaining a facade for visitors. Heritage remains alive when it continues to be visited, shared, and passed down. Without active use, restoration can become an empty shell. Without residents, artisans, historians, and community organizations, legal protection alone is not enough.
The bill also provides for a right of first refusal for the government when an owner wishes to sell a cultural heritage property. It would establish guidelines for work on national monuments, the export of certain objects, and archaeological excavations. Penalties ranging from 10 to 50 times the public-sector minimum wage are also being considered.
Who will decide what is worth saving?
However, the text raises several questions. How can one determine that a property owner is no longer fulfilling their duty to preserve the property? What support will be offered to them before expropriation? How can fair compensation be determined? And above all, will the government subsequently have the necessary budgets, specialists, and time to restore the acquired properties? These questions are essential. A preservation law must not become an arbitrary tool. It must be based on transparent inventories, independent expert assessments, accessible appeals, and a long-term strategy. It must also recognize that some property owners want to preserve their properties but simply lack the means to do so.
In the Dominican Republic, therefore, the debate is not simply a matter of choosing between private ownership and public intervention. It calls for the development of shared responsibility. The government can provide oversight and funding. Property owners can maintain and pass on these buildings. Local communities can document them. Citizens can restore these places to their rightful place in daily life. Ultimately, the question is simple: when a building embodies a part of our shared history, can we wait until it disappears to realize how important it was?
The project aims to prevent the loss of buildings, objects, or collections of heritage value. Controlled expropriation could be considered when abandonment or lack of maintenance threatens their preservation.
No. The bill was approved on second reading by the Dominican Senate, but it must still go through the legislative process before it can be enacted.
Protection could apply to historic buildings, works of art, archives, collections, archaeological sites, and other tangible or intangible assets recognized for their cultural value.
From July 13 to 17, 2026, researchers, students, and heritage professionals will gather in the colonial city of Santo Domingo. For its 31st edition, the International Congress of Caribbean Archaeology is promoting a powerful idea: the sea that separates these territories is also the one that tells the story of their connections.
Santo Domingo, a meeting place for Caribbean researchers
In a few days, the INDOTEL Cultural Center will welcome experts who will come together to share their findings. Some are studying the archipelago’s earliest settlements. Others are researching agricultural societies, slavery, underwater archaeology, or the traces left by the colonial period. The International Congress of Caribbean Archaeology will be held in the heart of the Colonial City of Santo Domingo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The choice of venue is no coincidence. In this part of the Dominican capital, the different layers of history remain visible in the streets, buildings, collections, and archaeological sites.
Organized by the Academy of Sciences of the Dominican Republic and the International Association of Caribbean Archaeology, the International Congress of Caribbean Archaeology will also bring together students, heritage managers, and members of the public interested in these disciplines. The main sessions are scheduled for July 13–17, 2026.
The Caribbean Sea as a passage
The theme of this edition, “Archaeology: Building Bridges Across the Caribbean Sea”, challenges a common perception of the region. The sea is no longer seen merely as a distance separating the islands. It becomes a space of movement, migration, exchange, and transformation. The research presented should cover periods ranging from prehistory to the colonial era. It will shed light on how populations moved between the continental coasts and the island territories, as well as between the islands themselves.
This is where the International Congress of Caribbean Archaeology goes beyond the scope of a mere scientific gathering. It invites us to reexamine Caribbean identities through material evidence: pottery shards, human remains, traces of dwellings, ritual objects, shipwrecks, and food traces. Each element has the potential to challenge a narrative that has long been accepted as fact.
International Archaeology Conference: Topics That Go Beyond Museum Display Cases
The announced focus areas demonstrate the breadth of the topics covered. In particular, the scientific program must incorporate the region’s earliest inhabitants, the archaeology of enslaved groups, rock art, underwater archaeology, DNA and isotope studies, as well as the links between the environment, climate change, and human occupation.
The International Congress of Caribbean Archaeology will also feature roundtable discussions, keynote lectures, and presentations in Spanish, English, or French, with simultaneous translation. This linguistic diversity is essential in a region where research is often scattered across various academic and publishing spheres. The organizers have announced visits to Dominican museums, exhibitions, and archaeological sites to connect the scientific discussions with the field.
A Regional History That Is Still Incomplete
After 31 editions, the International Congress of Caribbean Archaeology serves above all as a reminder that the region’s history is never fully written. New methods can shed new light on already known archaeological remains. New excavations can shift chronologies. New comparisons can reveal connections that contemporary borders have made less visible.
For Caribbean people, the issue goes beyond simply understanding the past. It also concerns how to protect sites, share discoveries, and make this knowledge accessible beyond specialized circles. In Santo Domingo, archaeology will therefore not only seek out what has disappeared. It will seek to understand what connected Caribbean societies even before their histories were told separately. What if the next great narratives of the Caribbean were still right beneath our feet, in a cave, or at the bottom of the sea?
The 31st International Congress of Caribbean Archaeology will be held July 13–17, 2026, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Researchers, students, and heritage professionals will present papers on the region’s history, settlements, and archaeological heritage.
The conference will take place in the colonial city of Santo Domingo, primarily at the INDOTEL Cultural Center. This choice places scientific exchanges at the heart of a region marked by several periods of Caribbean history and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The theme of this 31st edition is “Archaeology: Building Bridges Across the Caribbean Sea.” It highlights the sea as a space for movement, exchange, and connections between the islands and the mainland, rather than simply as a border.
In the Caribbean, a high energy bill can slow down a business. A storm can cut off a road, block a port, or jeopardize a harvest. A security crisis can also extend beyond the borders of a single country. It is against this daily reality that the Canada-CARICOM dialogue is taking on a new dimension today.
Meeting in Panama City on the sidelines of the 2026 General Assembly of the Organization of American States, the foreign ministers of Canada and CARICOM sought to reinvigorate their strategic partnership. At the heart of their discussions was an action plan focused on three major priorities for the region: security, climate, and the economy.
Cooperation Aimed at Achieving Concrete Results
The Canada-CARICOM partnership builds on the strategic agreement launched in 2023. But the 2026 meeting marks an important milestone: both parties now want to move forward with a plan that is more specific, clearer, and more measurable.
The goal is not merely to demonstrate diplomatic closeness. It is to establish priorities, timelines, and funding mechanisms capable of producing results. For Caribbean countries, this clarity matters. The region faces a range of interrelated challenges: energy costs, climate-related disasters, maritime security, financial vulnerability, and the crisis in Haiti. The Caribbean is not merely asking for aid. It is seeking partners capable of understanding its realities and working alongside it for the long term.
Security: A Regional Emergency
Security is central to this new Canada-CARICOM plan. The ministers discussed transnational crime, gangs, irregular migration, maritime security, and illicit flows. For the region, these issues are not isolated. The sea serves as a link, but it is also an area of vulnerability. Trafficking, criminal networks, cyberthreats, and political crises sometimes spread faster than institutional responses can keep up.
Canada already supports certain regional initiatives through capacity building, targeted interventions, and operational partnerships. The new challenge is to move toward a more coordinated response: better protecting maritime areas, strengthening institutions, sharing relevant information, and limiting the influence of criminal networks.
Haiti: A Crisis That Affects the Entire Caribbean
Haiti is a major focus of the discussions. The political, security, and humanitarian crisis the country is facing has direct consequences for the region. In particular, the ministers highlighted the risks associated with drug and arms trafficking. Support for the Gang Suppression Force was among the topics discussed. This force is intended to help restore security on the ground, with a mandate set to be renewed by the United Nations Security Council.
But the response cannot be limited to security measures alone. The ministers also reaffirmed the right of Haitians to choose their own government. They support the holding of credible elections as soon as conditions permit, as well as efforts to combat corruption and impunity. Haiti serves as a powerful reminder: no lasting stability in the Caribbean can be achieved by leaving a country to face such a profound crisis on its own.
Climate and the Economy: Two Sides of the Same Challenge
The new Canada-CARICOM plan also clearly links climate and the economy. In the Caribbean, a natural disaster is never just a weather event. It affects families, businesses, roads, schools, ports, and public finances. Access to reliable and affordable energy is once again a priority. Overly expensive energy stifles innovation and puts a strain on households. A more stable energy supply can support industry, services, investment, and the transition to more sustainable models.
Trade is also part of the equation. The CARIBCAN program, which grants duty-free access to the Canadian market for most products originating in 18 Caribbean Commonwealth countries and territories, remains an important tool. It serves as a reminder that the Canada-CARICOM partnership is not just about diplomacy. It also encompasses economic opportunities, supply chains, and the ability of Caribbean businesses to expand beyond their local markets.
Greater Attention to the Caribbean's Vulnerability
Another key aspect of the Canada-CARICOM partnership concerns financing. Several Caribbean states are considered middle-income countries. Yet their vulnerability to climate-related disasters, economic shocks, and supply disruptions remains very high. This is one of the region’s major paradoxes. On paper, some countries appear too “advanced” to easily access concessional financing. In reality, a single crisis can undermine years of progress.
The ministers therefore emphasized the need to reform the international financial architecture. The idea is simple: the actual vulnerability of small states must be taken into account more fully—not just their average income.
A plan to follow closely
The coming months will be crucial. Officials still need to finalize the details of the action plan, identify priority initiatives, develop an implementation schedule, and strengthen monitoring efforts. A dialogue among senior officials is scheduled for the fall to advance this work.
The Canada-CARICOM partnership alone will not solve the Caribbean’s challenges. But it says something about the current moment: the region wants to be heard as a strategic area, not just as a vulnerable one. Now the real question remains: Will this new plan bring about visible changes for Caribbean people, businesses, and territories?
The new Canada-CARICOM plan is a roadmap designed to strengthen cooperation between Canada and the Caribbean Community. It is based on three priorities: more resilient economies, climate action, and regional security. The goal is to move from a diplomatic partnership to more concrete actions, with timelines, measurable results, and sustainable financing mechanisms.
Haiti is a key focus because its political, security, and humanitarian crises have repercussions for the entire region. The ministers discussed drug and arms trafficking, support for the Gang Suppression Force, and the right of Haitians to choose their own government. For CARICOM, Haiti’s stability therefore remains a regional issue, not just a national one.
The Canada-CARICOM Partnership directly links climate and the economy. It emphasizes access to reliable and affordable energy, the development of trade, the strengthening of supply chains, and access to financing tailored to the vulnerabilities of small Caribbean states. The goal is to enable the region to better withstand natural disasters, economic shocks, and international crises.
At daybreak, in many neighborhoods of Santo Domingo, kitchens come to life with a simple task: mashing green plantains after they’ve been cooked. This purée is often topped with red onions marinated in vinegar, Dominican salami, fried cheese, and eggs. This iconic breakfast dish has a short name: mangú. Behind this familiar word lie Dominican culinary history, African heritage, and an etymology that is still debated.
A Word for an Everyday Dish
Mangú refers first and foremost to a dish made from green plantains that are boiled and then mashed into a smooth purée. Depending on the family, cooking water, butter, or oil may be added to adjust the texture. Red onions, often sautéed with vinegar, add a tangy note that contrasts with the sweetness of the plantains.
The dish is often served with “los tres golpes,” literally “the three bites”: fried Dominican salami, queso de freír, and fried eggs. This combination has become one of the most recognizable symbols of the Dominican breakfast. While it does not hold official status as a national dish, it plays a major role in the country’s eating habits and in how it presents its cuisine to the world.
African Roots on Your Plate
The origins of mangú are generally traced back to African traditions of boiled, pounded, or mashed starchy foods. These culinary practices crossed the Atlantic with enslaved Africans and later evolved according to the available ingredients and local customs.
In the Caribbean and Latin America, several dishes also feature mashed plantains. Puerto Rican mofongo is most often made with fried and mashed plantains. In Cuba, fufú de plátano is prepared differently. In Colombia, cayeye is generally made with cooked green plantains, while the Ecuadorian bolón often combines plantains with various toppings. These recipes are not identical, and their names do not necessarily share the same origin. However, they reflect culinary influences linked to the African history of the Americas.
An Etymology That Remains Open
The exact origin of the word “mangú” remains unclear. One commonly cited theory links it to “mangusi,” which is said to be a term originating from the Congo Basin. However, this theory is not supported by linguistic evidence that is clear enough to be considered a certainty.
Another story goes that an American soldier, during the occupation of the Dominican Republic that began in 1916, tasted the dish and exclaimed, “Man, good! ” The Dominicans then supposedly transformed this phrase into “mangú.” The story is popular, but the chronology contradicts it. The word was already attested in 1899 in a text by Francisco Ortea devoted to linguistic usages observed in the country.
This evidence alone is not enough to resolve the entire etymology. It does, however, show that the term did not originate during the American occupation. Rather than choosing between two tenuous accounts, it is more rigorous to acknowledge that the word’s origin remains open to interpretation. The dish may have African roots without its name being automatically linked to a specific African language.
From the Homeland to the Diaspora
Today, mangú is enjoyed far beyond just breakfast. It can be served at various times of the day and remains a staple in Dominican restaurants throughout the diaspora, particularly in New York, Miami, and Madrid. In the United States, home to more than two million people of Dominican descent, this dish retains strong sentimental value. While its texture, toppings, and presentation vary from family to family, its presence serves as an immediately recognizable point of connection across generations, both in the Dominican Republic and in communities around the world.
For many, a plate of mangú evokes home cooking, a Sunday morning, or a shared meal. The word doesn’t encapsulate the entire Dominican Republic, but it captures an intimate part of it: the traditions passed down, the adapted flavors, and the stories we continue to explore.
Next week, RK Words will cross another sea. We’re heading to Jamaica to explore “bashment,” a word from Jamaican patois associated with partying, dancehall, and a whole new way of taking the stage.
Mangú is a Dominican dish made from green plantains that are boiled and then mashed into a smooth purée. It is often served with red onions dressed in vinegar. Although it is commonly associated with breakfast, it can also be eaten at other times of the day. Mangú holds an iconic place in home cooking and in the culinary identity of the Dominican Republic.
The exact origin of the word “mangú” remains uncertain. One theory links it to a term supposedly originating in the Congo Basin, but this theory lacks solid linguistic evidence. Another account claims that the word comes from the English expression “Man, good! ,” which was used during the American occupation of the Dominican Republic. This version is contradicted by a written record of the word dating back to 1899, before the occupation began in 1916.
“Los tres golpes,” or “the three accompaniments,” refers to the three side dishes traditionally served with mangú: fried Dominican salami, the cheese used for frying called queso de freír and fried eggs. This combination makes up one of the most recognizable breakfasts in the Dominican Republic. Depending on the family or restaurant, the dish may also include red onions or avocado.
Organized by the Caribbean Chamber of Commerce in Europe (CCCE), the second edition of Caribbean Days brought together various expressions of Caribbean culture at UNESCO headquarters in Paris. Over the course of four days, the event provided a forum for dialogue on regional cooperation, sustainable tourism, and economic relations between the Caribbean and Europe.
A Caribbean-style restaurant with a view of Paris
On the roof of UNESCO, Caribbean chefs from the association Les Toques françaises are preparing a three-course Caribbean menu. From the restaurant, guests can see the Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, and the Left Bank. This scene captures the spirit of the Caribbean Days : to showcase the Caribbean through its creative works and craftsmanship, and then use this cultural presence to foster broader exchanges.
The Caribbean Chamber of Commerce in Europe (CCCE) organized this second edition as part of Latin American and Caribbean Week. Under the theme “Peace, Diversity, and Sustainability,” the event brought together representatives from the cultural, institutional, diplomatic, and economic sectors.
Over the course of four days, the program featured the visual arts, gastronomy, fashion, film, literature, poetry, music, and dance. These disciplines showcased various facets of Caribbean creativity in a venue dedicated to education, science, culture, and heritage.
Creative Industries Take Center Stage
The Caribbean Days highlighted the creative industries as one of the region’s strengths. Cuisine, fashion, film, storytelling, music, and dance served as points of connection between different regions and sectors.
This diversity brought together Caribbean ambassadors, other diplomats, representatives from the public sector, and private-sector stakeholders. Culture thus provided a common framework for discussions on development, investment, and partnerships.
Founded in November 2019, the CCCE’s mission is to facilitate exchanges between the Greater Caribbean and Europe. It also seeks to encourage European investment in the region’s sustainable economic development. In Paris, this mission has taken the form of meetings between institutions, businesses, and Caribbean representatives.
Regional Cooperation Over Lunch
A luncheon discussion focused on cooperation between France’s overseas territories in the Caribbean and CARIFORUM member states. Representatives from the Bank of France, Expertise France, and the OECD gave presentations.
The remarks by French Senator Micheline Jacques, who supports an economic partnership between France’s overseas territories and Haiti, refocused the debate on a concrete question: How can we strengthen ties among the various parts of the Caribbean region?
Through this event, the Caribbean Days brought culture, diplomacy, and the economy closer together. Gastronomy was not merely a backdrop; it served as a framework for dialogue on potential areas of cooperation and on the Caribbean’s role in its relations with Europe.
Sustainable Tourism in the Face of Climate Change
A roundtable discussion was held on sustainable tourism. Geoffrey Lipman, former president of the World Travel and Tourism Council and former deputy secretary-general of the World Tourism Organization, participated alongside Florian Valmy-Desvillers, director of business development for the Caribbean Tourism Organization in the United Kingdom and Europe.
Jo Spalburg, Secretary General of the CCCE, summarized the main message of these discussions. According to him, the acceleration of climate change makes it necessary to develop tourism that is more sustainable and more beneficial to local communities. These communities play a direct role in protecting the region’s natural and cultural heritage for future generations.
This reflection gives the Caribbean Days a specific scope. It links the promotion of Caribbean destinations to the responsibility of preserving what attracts visitors: landscapes, cultural heritage, cultural practices, and local knowledge.
From Cultural Visibility to Partnerships
As this second edition comes to a close, the CCCE is highlighting a collective goal: to transform cultural visibility into collaborations, innovation, and sustainable growth for the region.
The Caribbean Days have shown that culture can foster dialogue among diplomats, institutions, businesses, and creative professionals. What happens next will depend on the ability of the partners gathered in Paris to turn these exchanges into concrete partnerships that benefit Caribbean regions and communities.
Caribbean Days, also known as Journées des Caraïbes, is an event organized by the Caribbean Chamber of Commerce in Europe at UNESCO headquarters in Paris. Over the course of four days, the second edition of the event showcased the visual arts, gastronomy, fashion, film, literature, poetry, music, and dance. The event took place under the theme “Peace, Diversity, and Sustainability,” as part of Latin American and Caribbean Week.
Caribbean Days is organized by the Caribbean Chamber of Commerce in Europe (CCCE). Founded in November 2019, this organization seeks to facilitate exchanges between the Greater Caribbean and Europe, while encouraging European investment in the region’s sustainable economic development. In Paris, the CCCE brought together representatives from the cultural, diplomatic, institutional, and economic sectors to discuss Caribbean culture and challenges.
Caribbean Days combined the promotion of creative industries with discussions on regional cooperation and sustainable tourism. A luncheon forum focused on relations between France’s overseas territories in the Caribbean and CARIFORUM member states. A roundtable discussion also addressed the effects of climate change and the need to develop more sustainable tourism that better benefits local communities working to protect the region’s natural and cultural heritage.
