>>213600073 (OP)Dominican DNA results typically show a mix of European, Sub-Saharan African, and Indigenous (Taino) ancestry. A common breakdown is roughly 50-60% European, 30-40% Sub-Saharan African, and 8-12% Indigenous. The European component is largely from Spain and France, while the African component is primarily from West Africa. There are also smaller percentages of other groups, including Sephardic Jews and some Asian ancestry.
Breakdown of Ancestry:
European: Primarily Spanish and French.
Sub-Saharan African: Dominant regions include Senegal, Nigeria, Cameroon, Congo, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Mali.
Indigenous (Taino): A smaller but notable component.
Other: Smaller percentages of Sephardic Jewish, Lebanese, Syrian, Palestinian, and even some Asian ancestry.
Factors Contributing to the Mix:
Colonization:
Spanish colonization brought European settlers and enslaved Africans to the island.
Migration:
There have been waves of migration from various regions, including Sephardic Jews, Lebanese, and others.
Intermixing:
Over centuries, different groups intermarried, leading to the mixed heritage seen today.
Regional Differences:
Some regions, like the Cibao, may have a higher European component due to historical migration patterns according to a Reddit thread.
Understanding the Results:
"Mulatto" or "Mestizo":
These terms are often used to describe Dominicans of mixed European and African ancestry.
"Indio":
In the Dominican Republic, this term can refer to mixed-race individuals with a skin tone between white and black according to Wikipedia.
DNA Testing:
Companies like AncestryDNA and 23andMe can provide more detailed insights into individual ancestry, including specific regions within Africa or Europe.
Self-identification:
In the 2014 population survey, Dominicans self-identified as 70.4% mixed (mestizo/indio and mulatto), 15.8% Black, 13.5% white, and 0.3% other according to Living DNA.