A Visit to El Batey de Caraballo

Last Saturday, several of the Mariposa teachers and staff visited El Batey de Caraballo, where we had a chance to visit several homes as well as to enter and learn about the activities of a small voodoo temple. Although the entrance to the batey is only about a thirty minute drive from Cabarete, where we are living, it took nearly twenty minutes to reach the homes there from the entrance because we needed to drive through the sugar cane fields.

At the entrance to the batey sits the abandoned sugar cane factory. Although this factory once provided jobs, it now lays desolate. I believe it has been closed for around ten or so years.

Factory jobs were provided to Dominicans. Also, the Dominicans were given the task of overseeing Haitian workers who were imported to the batey to cut cane.  

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We passed rows upon rows of sugar cane. 

This young boy quickly learned how to use Marina's camera, and he took many pictures around his neighborhood.

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This home is constructed completely out of recycled oil drums. Necessity is truly the mother of invention for those with so little means.

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Among the dirt, broken glass, and trash, I saw a mariposa! It must be good luck!

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A young mother poses for a family portrait with her daughters, including a 3-day-old newborn. Their entire living space was about six feet by six feet for the entire family.

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Tehka bought several bags of fresh and delicious palomitas (popcorn) from this woman. I ate about one and a half bags of it!

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This man made a point to show me his bike! He weaved in and out of the small streets between the houses.

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Large murals decorated the outside of the voodoo temple. Local residents pay to enter and to speak with Ramoncito, the priest.

Ramoncito explained to us that, while there is a fee for his help, the resolution is guaranteed. He can help you to gain the love of another, become pregnant, mend a broken heart, or become more prosperous. He was very clear that the spells only work for those who believe in voodoo.

Statues, paintings, and flowers decorated the floor of the temple.

Upon the altar were bottles containing various potions...for love, luck, and prosperity...and more. 

 There is a mixture of African, Caribbean, and Catholic images. The history of the Caribbean is a history of the interactions of different races and continents, and it is shown in the symbols that you can see all around you.

 As we left the temple, I saw that Nina already had made a friend!

We cooled off by dipping our toes in the river. This woman impressed me with her balance and elegance as she walked across the river effortlessly with an enormous bucket on her head.