Photographer: Pedro Genaro Rodriguez

The musical performers of the Perico-Ripiao bands are popular musicians that are part of the cultural heritage. They preserve musical tradition, strengthen the identity and contribute to the development of Dominicanness. Perico-Ripiao only exists in the Dominican Republic!

The Dominican Republic, in the heart of the Caribbean, maintains its traditions and feels proud of its identity. It is a country of people passionate about music who dance and sing.

The Perico Ripiao (also known as the Typical Merengue) is the Dominican typical merengue group, made up of the accordion, guira and drum. No one teaches Dominicans to dance or play merengue. As Labat said, they learn in the mother’s womb and when they are born, a celebration takes place in the home.

Hence, men and women enjoy themselves, they have fun wherever with whomever under a tree, in a dance hall or on the street, dancing folkloric merengue, above all, when they are attracted to, like or are in love with their partner.