Religion and Traditions

http://caribya.com/dominican.republic/religion/roman.catholicism/

  
   Although Dominicans are very happy people there is another topic that is not to joke around with and that is religion. This is a topic not to discuss with Dominicans especially when doing business with them. The reason is because they are very religious and if you don’t believe in God, or Jesus, its better just to keep it to yourself and if they wish to discuss topics of religion, its best try to keep it neutral.

 Both the official and most popular religion in the Dominican Republic is Roman Catholicism and it has been a part of the region's history since the earliest European settlers made their way to the island. "Current census data indicates that 95 percent of the population follows this religion."http://caribya.com/dominican.republic/religion/roman.catholicism/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_the_Dominican_Republic

   Although 95 percent of the population is Roman Catholic, many Dominicans do not attend church regularly. Religious customs among Catholics include rosarios, which are processions organized to pray for help from a patron saint or the Virgin Mary. Evangelical Protestantism has also become popular in recent years. Its emphasis on family values and condemnation of alcohol, prostitution, and wife-beating, it has made this religion attractive to low-income Dominicans, who traditionally have had unstable family structures." Followers of spirit worship and voodoo, which was introduced into the country by Haitian immigrants, are thought to still number about 60,000."

                        

http://travelservice.do/en/excursions/voodoo.htm

   When doing business with them it’s also important to respect any holidays that they may celebrate with their families, such as the Dominican Carnival. In February the Dominican Carnival is one of the most colorful and lively traditions of the Dominican Republic. The Carnival is celebrated in all regions of the country, where costumes and masks with different meanings are used. On February 27, coinciding with National Independence, a Carnival parades takes place in main cities. The most famous are in Santo Domingo, La Vega and Santiago.

   There is also another important holiday called Day of the Lady of Altagracia, the La Virgen de la Altagracia is considered by Catholics as the Protector and Spiritual Mother of the Dominican Republic. Her feast day is January 21, a holiday on which many faithful followers flock to the temple in Higuey to worship the Virgin.  

                                               

                                     http://blog.bluebayresorts.com/?p=5416&lang=en
   
  In conclusion, as a leader we need to have the ability to demonstrate respect for political and spiritual beliefs of people in other cultures. Even if we may not agree with what they believe it’s important to be still be open minded, to hearing about their traditions and practices. Dominicans appreciate when we are curious to know about their religion and history. This shows that you are interested and care about what they believe as a person.