The sweet spiral of sugar mills that surrounded Macoris, made it a prosperous and elegant city with palatial homes and princely mansions denoting the cultural refinement of its first immigrants and of the natives who built them. Together, they created a beautiful city of Neoclassical and Victorian styles combined with a vernacular architecture that was enhance by qualified laborers who arrived from the British isles attracted by the sugar mill bonanza. The Momise dance, known as the Guloyas, a name which is also given to its dancers, is a product of these immigrants. Like their ancestors in the African jungle, who worship their god in ritual ceremonies at sunset, the Guloyas, after a day of hard work, become engulfed in their erotic and sensuous dances. During patronal festivities and carnivals, the Guloyas walk in parades in their costumes and ornaments decorated with tiny mirrors and every type of imaginable beads.
All sobriety is lost at the sound of their rustic drums.
The crowds surround them and move nervously to keep the beat of the captivating rhythm with their feet and their entire bodies. Everyone that sees them runs to the street to enjoy the spectacle. A virtual shower of coins appears along with bottles of liquor that are passed from one hand to the other until they are emptied. This is how the Guloyas and the people of Macoris celebrate their festivities and patronal activities. Do not miss them if your visit is on June 29 - The Day of Saints Peter and Paul.