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The peaceful Arawak people were among the first to settle in Dominica. They were skilled farmers who introduced crops like cassava, sweet potatoes, and corn to the island. They created sophisticated pottery and developed complex agricultural systems.

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The Kalinago people, also known as Island Caribs, began arriving in Dominica. They were skilled warriors and sailors who gradually became the dominant indigenous group on the island. Many of their traditions and practices continue to influence Dominican culture today.

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Christopher Columbus and his crew became the first Europeans to sight Dominica, naming it after Sunday (Dies Dominica in Latin) as they spotted it on a Sunday. However, they did not land due to the fierce resistance of the Kalinago people.

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French missionaries made the first European attempt to settle on Dominica, though their efforts were initially unsuccessful due to Kalinago resistance. This marked the beginning of European interest in colonizing the island.

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The first Africans arrived in Dominica, either as escaped slaves from neighboring islands or as free people. They would later form communities known as 'Maroons' in the island's interior.

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Dominica officially became a British colony following the Treaty of Paris. This led to an influx of British settlers and administrators, who established plantations and brought more enslaved Africans to work on them.

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Despite British rule, many French planters and their families settled in Dominica, bringing their culture, language, and customs. This French influence would later contribute to the development of Dominican Creole.

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1834: Emancipation and Free African Settlers

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1834: Emancipation and Free African Settlers

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With the abolition of slavery in British colonies, formerly enslaved people became free citizens. This period saw the development of free Black communities and the strengthening of African-Caribbean culture in Dominica.

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Portuguese immigrants, primarily from Madeira, arrived in Dominica to work as laborers. They contributed to the island's growing cultural diversity and economic development.

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Syrian and Lebanese merchants began arriving in Dominica, establishing businesses and becoming an important part of the island's commercial sector. Their descendants continue to play a significant role in Dominican society.