Culture

The inhabitants of Curacao are mixed breeds that trace their roots to the Arawak, Dutch, Spanish, West Indian, Latin, and African races. In that sense, it is a polyglot society. These ethnic inhabitants have fashioned a rich tradition along the historical course of its flourishing civilization. The vision of this extraordinary diversity is immensely amazing for a person visiting the island for the first time. The first inhabitants of this beautiful island were the Amerindian Arawaks who set the ball rolling for this motley mixture.

The word Curaçao, traces its roots to the Portuguese word for "heart". There are however other theories for the origin of the term. It is also attributed to the nomenclature that the indigenous people used to refer to themselves.

The people of this island are open, warm and fun loving. This is a region of carnivals and club culture. Enjoyment is a way of life for the common man and the locals manage to infuse the tourists with the same ‘joy de vivre'. Partying into the early hours of the morning, clubbing and grooving is a tradition on this island.

The various architectural monuments of the place bear testimony to the legacy of the various settlers of the region and their influence on its culture.

A. Music

The music of Curacao includes sounds and rhythms that have been incorporated from all over the world. The various races that have come here to trade and settle down have all contributed to its rich splendor. Austrian waltz, Spanish dansa, Bohemian polka, French quadrille are all found on the island and are part of the legacy of the European influence. The Jewish colonists were initially responsible for introducing these rhythms into the island, which quickly caught on and became very popular.

It is however seen that Africa by large has had the most profound influence on the music scene by exporting its various styles. The slaves, in a bid to express their sorrow and frustration, initiated Tambú a form of music and dance, which is also known as the Curacao blues. Basic instruments in this music style include the tambu (drum), kachu (cow's horn), agan (piece of iron or a ploughshare), and chapi (hoe). Women clapping along usually accompany this form of music. It has elaborate hip gyrations in its dance form.

Seú, is the traditional rhythm of Curacao's harvest festival and is made up of graceful steps called wapa. This dance is performed in the Willemstad's annual folklore parade on Easter Monday. Tumba is one of the most important forms of Curacao music with its roots in African music. Tumba is now an important part of the Carnival Road March. Another popular music of yore is the labor song that sets the pace for digging, rowing and various other tasks. There are over 1,500 versions of these songs prevailing on the island.

Modern music in Curacao is based on age-old musical traditions. This is true of the various music forms such as merengue, calypso, reggae, salsa, and cha-cha-cha. They are popularly rendered with Papiamentu words and rhythms of African origin, which lend an original style. Although it does not boast of a professional orchestra that is permanent, the various groups get together for special concerts. The jazz festivals bring out the best of both the local as well as foreign talent. It is definitely worthwhile to listen to the local music while on a visit to the island.

B. Language

Dutch is designated as the official language, but English, Spanish and Papiamentu, a unique Creole blend are also spoken by the multi-racial Curaçaoans. There are a larger number of people speaking Spanish in comparison to those speaking Dutch. Papiamentu has been re-introduced in the school curriculum during the mid 1980s, with increased acceptance. The politicians of the land are promoting this language as the instructional language. The language is popular as it is spoken across all strata of society.

Bon bini, which means Welcome and Bon dia, for Good morning are two important words in this native tongue that are a must know for every tourist on a visit to this island.

C. Religion

Curacaoan society is a free one and various religious communities practice their faith with no friction. Catholics, Protestants, Jews and Muslims have their own places of worship. The population is largely Roman Catholic with almost 80% practicing the faith. Various sects and denominations of Christianity are represented amongst the populace. This includes the Adventists, Anglican/Episcopal, Baptists, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Methodists. Some inhabitants are known to engage in African religious beliefs and practices called Voodoo and Santeria. Curacao also boasts of the oldest active Jewish congregation amongst the American continents and has the oldest synagogue that has been in use since 1730.

D. Major Events

Communities throughout history have engaged in traditional rituals and ceremonies. Ancient cultures are known to invoke spirits and religious deities for resolution of their problems and peace. Carnivals are the modern day embodiments of these traditions in Curacao. These festivities pay homage to deities with food, music, and merriment. This is accompanied by parades and street marches. Curacao Carnivals are associated with many festivals such as the Tumba Festival and the Children's Carnival. www.karnaval.an, the official website of such events lists out the entire range of activities. Curaçao continued with following the Catholic rite of giving up meat during Lent while organizing masquerade parties and marches in private clubs. Since 1969, these Lent parties have gained immense popularity.

Jump In / Jump Up is an event that is held in January, immediately after the opening of the Carnival season. Carnival groups following musical bands dance around tirelessly during the event.

The main marches are held in February or March and are the culmination of weeks of enthusiastic preparation. There are various floats, costumes and characters that form part of this pageant. Curacao's Gran Marcha is the big parade that is held on Sunday during the daytime and Marcha Despedida is the farewell march that takes place usually on Tuesday evenings.

The important characters featuring in the parade are Carnival Queen, representing Mother Earth, the symbol for fertility and peace. Carnival King (King Momo) is the symbol for infertility, sins, and bad luck. An effigy of this king is burned in a spellbinding ritual at the fag end of the carnival. A straw-filled image of the king is burned in a spectacular ritual at the end of Carnival. It is suggested that tourists reach Otrobanda early and finds a good spot to view the carnival, as it could get quite crowded once the parades start. The children also have their own carnival similar to those for the adults and present their own version of it.

Tumba festival is another event that is very attractive for the visitors to behold. It started out as a double dance that allowed slaves to vent their sorrows and frustration. Today, it is a four-day event that sees the best composers, bands and singers in and around the region come together to produce a spell biding musical extravaganza. It is a great honor for a song to be selected as the winning Tumba during this fete and the winner is designated the term, Rei di Tumba (King of Tumba). There is free flow of beer, food and dancing to set the mood. It is possible to get tickets for the entire week in advance. The burning of Rei Momo marking the end of the carnival is accompanied by fireworks, and draws a huge crowd.

E. Etiquette / Do's and Don'ts

Do's and Don'ts

- The Curacaons consider it rude if a person does not identify himself. It is considered good manners to shake hands with people you are introduced to.

- It is considered impolite to speak in a loud voice while greeting someone.

- While diving you are not supposed to touch the corals or kick them, as they are quite delicate.

- Marine turtles are endangered and therefore, it is prohibited to eat them.