María Encarnación Mota y Carmona

María Encarnación Mota Carmona
Grandfather's Great Aunt

María Encarnación Mota Carmona, born in 1840 in Baní, Peravia, Dominican Republic, was the daughter of General Manuel de Regla Mota y Álvarez, a prominent Dominican military figure and the 5th President of the Dominican Republic (May 26, 1856 – October 8, 1856), and Ana Joaquina Carmona González. She was one of several siblings, including Ezequiel, Margarita, José Antonio, Manuel María, María Valentina, Juan Gregorio, María Altagracia, Francisco Luis, and María De La Merced Mota Carmona. Growing up in a politically influential family in Baní, María Encarnación was exposed to the turbulent political and social climate of the Dominican Republic during its formative years following independence from Haiti in 1844. Her father’s close alliance with Pedro Santana, a key figure in Dominican politics, placed the Mota family at the center of national affairs, shaping María Encarnación’s worldview and commitment to her country’s sovereignty.


Revolutionary Actions
María Encarnación Mota Carmona, often referred to as “Canela Mota,” is celebrated as the “Heroína Banileja” for her courageous opposition to the annexation of the Dominican Republic to Spain in 1861. When her father, Manuel de Regla Mota, raised the Spanish flag in Baní in March 1861 to signal the incorporation of the Dominican Republic into Spanish rule, María Encarnación publicly protested this act. Her dissent was seen as a bold and symbolic stand against the loss of Dominican sovereignty, which she viewed as a betrayal of the nation’s hard-fought independence. According to historian Rufino Martínez, her protest was so significant that it was initially dismissed as “madness” by contemporaries, but later generations honored her as a patriot for her fearless stance.

During a nationalist gathering in Baní, as patriots rallied against the annexation, María Encarnación took to the streets, passionately denouncing the Spanish occupation. She is famously quoted as proclaiming a poetic verse: “Mi bandera no se baja, ella estuvo siempre arriba. Es el alma de mi patria y por ella doy mi vida” (“My flag will not be lowered, it has always flown high. It is the soul of my homeland, and for it, I give my life”). This powerful declaration encapsulated her unwavering commitment to Dominican independence and inspired others to resist foreign domination. Her actions were particularly remarkable in the context of a patriarchal society, where women’s contributions to political struggles were often overlooked.

María Encarnación’s protest was not merely symbolic; it aimed to incite an insurrection against the Spanish authorities. Her courage in publicly challenging her father’s decision and the broader annexation movement marked her as a key figure in the early resistance that would culminate in the Dominican Restoration War (1863–1865). This war, led by figures like Gregorio Luperón, ultimately restored Dominican sovereignty by expelling Spanish forces. María Encarnación’s role as a vocal and visible opponent of annexation in Baní made her a local heroine and a symbol of resistance in Peravia province.

Legacy
María Encarnación Mota Carmona’s legacy is deeply tied to her role in the fight for Dominican sovereignty. Historian Manuel Valera has highlighted her as the most significant figure in Peravia province’s opposition to the Spanish annexation, emphasizing the altruistic nature of her actions. Her protest is regarded as one of the most courageous acts of the Restoration period, earning her a place in Dominican history as a symbol of patriotism and defiance. Despite the patriarchal tendencies of her time, which often marginalized women’s contributions, María Encarnación’s actions have been increasingly recognized in historical narratives, with calls to include her story in Dominican history texts and national commemorations.

Her legacy also underscores the broader contributions of women in the Dominican Restoration War. Alongside other heroines like María Catalina Encarnación, Antonia Batista, and Águeda Rodríguez, María Encarnación’s story highlights the critical roles women played in supporting and advancing the cause of independence, whether through direct action, mobilization of resources, or inspiring others through their courage. Her actions continue to inspire Dominicans, serving as a reminder of the power of individual resistance in the face of oppression.

Little is documented about María Encarnación’s life after her revolutionary actions in 1861. Given her birth in 1840, she was approximately 21 years old at the time of her protest, and there is no definitive record of her later years or death in the available sources. However, her impact during the critical moment of the Spanish annexation has ensured her enduring recognition as a heroine in Dominican history.

María Encarnación Mota Carmona’s brief but impactful role in Dominican history exemplifies the courage and patriotism of women during the nation’s struggle for sovereignty. As the daughter of a president who supported annexation, her decision to publicly oppose her father and the Spanish occupation was a profound act of defiance. Known as the “Heroína Banileja,” her legacy continues to be celebrated in Baní and beyond, with historians and communities advocating for greater recognition of her contributions to the Dominican Restoration War and the preservation of national identity.