Denise Aleman
Traveled to the Dominican Republic, Summer 2012
The art of dominoes and its relevance is slowly fading from the present generation. Being of Cuban heritage, there was never a family gathering where the ivory covered blocks of dominoes were not brought out at the end of the event. When I visited the Dominican Republic and the Plaza de Colon this summer, an image touched a special place in my heart. Men of all ages sat around wooden tables, enjoying a game of dominoes. Local bands played vibrant Hispanic music in the background and children ran sporadically through the flocks of birds resting on the ground. The Hispanic culture has a center deeply rooted in family. From grandfather to grandson, the game of dominoes allows for the unity of family no matter the age. A simplistic game of dominoes, that involves matching black circles together, has a complex history that can circle and tie family together.