How does culture and ethnic backgounds affect food traditions in Dominican Republic?

Answer 1

This question is a good example of why we should be interested in history. There are many factors involved. One reason is the availibility of types of food native to a specific region, such as what kinds of grains, vegetables and animal life are native to that region. Another reason has to do with the trading of goods both within that region and with other cultures. For example: Nations or regions within a nation that are located near an ocean or a sea would have had the ability to trade with other nations or national groups that had access to boats and ships or sea ports along a given coastline. Another reason involves the religious beliefs in a given region. A well-known example of this would take into consideration the religious beliefs involving the Hindu religion. It is because of the peoples' religious beliefs that they eat a vegetarian diet. Sometimes politics plays a role in establishing cultural customs and what kinds of foods people will eat. Suppose there is a conflict or war. One nation may have more ability to prevent the trade of a type of food going into the other nation. When a restriction like this continues for a long enough time period, the common people of the affected country will adapt and that adaptation may become an established way of life. Then, too, consider Immigration. When people travel to other parts of the world, they take their beliefs and customs with them and their ways of cooking and eating to their new homeland. They will learn of the ways of the people in their new homeland and the people already in the new land will learn from them, thus blending the two cultures and cuisines. The traditions and beliefs are passed on from one generation to the next generation. This is by no means an all comprehensive answer to such a broad question. I couldn't think of a simpler way of explaining.

Answer 2

Some of the foods in Dominican cuisine are made from plants native to the New World. The cuisine of the Dominican Republic also shows Spanish and African influences.