The Cultural Space of the Brotherhood of the Holy Spirit of the Congos of Villa Mella

　　Proclamation: 2001
Member State(s): Dominican Republic
Region: Latin America
Associated themes: Cultural spaces

　　
The Brotherhood of the Holy Spirit of the Congos of Villa Mella in the Dominican Republic is distinguished in the fields of music, dance and popular festivities. It performs its activities at religious festivals, especially at Whit, and at funerals of the members of the community. The brotherhood essentially comprises musicians who play instruments called "congos," especially at festivals. These congos, the origin of which is attributed to the Holy Spirit, are hand-drums. The brotherhood, which is nowadays open to all, without distinction of sex or origin, was founded in the 16th century by African slaves and people of mixed origin. For historical reasons, the brotherhood is an important element in the cultural identity of this population and of the whole region. At the Festival of the Holy Spirit, celebrated at Pentecost, there are prayers, dances and singing, accompanied by the music of the congos and a procession carrying the dove representing the Holy Spirit. The brotherhood also celebrates funeral rites with the congos. This occurs at the wake, during the procession to the cemetery and on the ninth day of mourning, when prayers are said in front of a three-tiered catafalque on which is placed a doll representing the deceased. At the Banko ceremony three years after the death, the same catafalque is prepared and the living take the leave of the deceased, who becomes an ancestor. On this occasion, all the guests dance on the music of the congos.