African Origins of Enslaved People Sent to the Dominican Republic

Transatlantic Slave Trade to Hispaniola

Enslaved Africans brought to the Dominican Republic (then Santo Domingo) came primarily from West and West-Central Africa:

1. Bight of Benin (Major Source)

• Present-day Benin, Togo, western Nigeria, Ghana.
• Ethnic groups: Fon, Yoruba, Ewe, Akan (Asante, Fante), Mina.
• Ports: Ouidah (Whydah), Porto-Novo, Lagos, Anomabu.

2. West-Central Africa: Angola & Kongo

• Angola: Luanda, Benguela ports; Mbundu, Ovimbundu peoples.
• Kongo Kingdom: Congo River estuary; Bakongo people; early Catholic conversion (1491).
• Highly organized societies; skilled artisans, farmers.

3. Senegambia

• Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau.
• Wolof, Serer, Mandinka, Fulbe.
• Early trade (1500s); Islamic influence.

4. Sierra Leone

• Mende, Temne, Limba, Fula.
• Bunce Island fort (British) major embarkation point.

5. Gold Coast / Windward Coast

• Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia.
• Akan (Asante, Fante), Kru, Grebo.

Demographic Notes

• Early period (1500s–1600s): Senegambia, Upper Guinea dominant.
• Peak (1700s): Bight of Benin, West-Central Africa surge.
• Dominican receipt lower than Cuba, Brazil, British/French Caribbean — Spanish asiento system, then direct trade.
• Cultural legacy: Vodou (Fon/Yoruba), Palo (Kongo), language retentions, music, religion.