On Friday, April 4th, the Plaza del Museo Arqueológico Regional Altos de Chavón was the setting for a cultural and educational event: the “Taíno Experience In the Spirit of Peace.” This activity, led by children's literature writer and oral storyteller Evelyn Cáceres Castellanos, in alliance with Guillén Ethnic Art, managed by master artisan Ramón Guillén, had the primary objective of bringing children closer to the roots of Taíno culture in a didactic, creative, and meaningful way.
The initiative is part of a series of six experiences that will tour different provinces of the country, promoting Taíno culture among new generations, thanks to the support of the General Directorate of Patronage of the Ministry of Culture, which has recognized the project as being of national cultural interest. This fact generated great enthusiasm for the Directorate of the Altos de Chavón Regional Archaeological Museum, given the possibility of being another stop on this interesting tour.
During the activity, the children enjoyed the storytelling of the tale “En Son de Paz,” written by Cáceres Castellanos, accompanied by its original song. Additionally, they were able to interact with representative elements of Taino culture, such as a traveling exhibition of large-scale artisanal figures created by Guillén Arte Étnico.
The day also included a Taíno pottery workshop, where participants molded clay with their own hands, and a live demonstration of the casabe-making process, which concluded with its tasting. A complete sensory experience that allowed children to learn, touch, sing, savor, and understand the richness of Dominican indigenous traditions.
The event was attended by students from the Hogar del Niño, from the MIR Foundation, tourists, as well as children from the Casa de Campo community, who shared this educational space full of history, art, and reflection.
“We've been developing this experience since 2022. We started with a pilot test at Galería 360 with Ramón Guillén, and seeing the positive impact it had on children, we decided to take it nationwide. Thanks to the Patronage Law and the support of the Ministry of Culture, we have already been able to carry out four of the six planned experiences,” expressed Evelyn Cáceres Castellanos. “Our goal is to promote our cultural identity, respect for diversity, and bullying prevention through knowledge of our roots.”
The next editions of the experience will be held at the Museum of the Dominican Man in Santo Domingo and in Puerto Plata, where it is expected to continue sowing seeds of cultural awareness in the little ones.
With this initiative, the Altos de Chavón Regional Archaeological Museum maintains its commitment to the preservation and dissemination of indigenous heritage, hosting activities that strengthen Dominican identity from childhood.