Informatie
‘Contemporary Curaçao: A Caribbean Community’, edited by Ieteke Witteveen, Wim Kamps, and Guido Rojer, offers an interdisciplinary exploration of Curaçao’s rich cultural tapestry. Drawing on contributions from historians, anthropologists, sociologists, and cultural critics, the volume first examines the island’s colonial legacies, spanning Spanish and Dutch rule, and the transatlantic slave trade. It shows how these historical forces have shaped contemporary notions of ‘Kòrsou’ identity, a blend of African, European, and Latin American influences. Language emerges as a lens through which social status and group affiliation are negotiated; essays detail the coexistence of Papiamentu, Dutch, and English in everyday conversation, literature, and theater, underscoring how linguistic choice fosters both community cohesion and creative expression.
‘ Contemporary Curaçao is a collection of 27 articles that covers topics ranging from history, economics, law, gender issues, and sustainability to art and culture. It presents a compact but thorough introduction to the island of Curaçao. All articles have been written by local academic experts. The book is an excellent tool for those who are in need of an overview of the island’s historic and current issues.’
Table of Contents
Curaçao at a Glance ….. 11
Curaçao in Caribbean Perspective – Ieteke Witteveen, Wim Kamps, and Guido Rojer, Jr. ….. 15
Demographics – Menno ter Bals ….. 19
A Brief History of Curaçao – Nolda Römer-Kenepa ….. 23
The Great Slave Rebellion of Curaçao in 1795 – Nolda Romer-Kenepa ….. 45
May 30, 1969 – Louis Philippe Römer ….. 53
Curaçao at a Constitutional Crossroads – Suzy Römer ….. 57
Archaeology: Curaçao’s History Started 5000 Years Ago – Ieteke Witteveen ….. 63
Willemstad Curaçao, a UNESCO World Heritage City – M.A. Newton and G. J. M. Gehlen ….. 69
Selected Aspects of Curaçao’s Economy – Guido Rojer, Jr. ….. 75
Curaçao Law – Frank Kunneman ….. 83
Education in Curaçao – Sygmund Montesant ….. 89
Media in Curaçao – News Travels Fast – Oscar van Dam ….. 95
Papiamentu, the Vernacular of Curaçao – Luisette Sambo and Wernher Suares ….. 99
Population and Ethnicity – Natasha Maritza van der Dijs ….. 105
Anthropology in an Era of Transformation in the Dutch Caribbean Societies – Rose Mary Allen ….. 111
Religious Syncretism in Curaçao – Rose Mary Allen ….. 119
Contemporary Women – Stella Pieters Kwiers ….. 125
Women in the Labor Market of Curaçao – Zaida Lake ….. 129
Museums in Curaçao – leteke Witteveen ….. 133
Music and Identity in Curaçao – leteke Witteveen ….. 139
Literature in Curaçao – Wim Rutgers ….. 147
Visual Arts in Curaçao – Jennifer Smit ….. 153
The Architectural Development in Curaçao – Ronald Gill ….. 157
Curaçao and Sustainability: Some Observations – Lloyd Narain ….. 163
Curaçao’s Drinking Water – Sharo Bikker ….. 167
Terrestrial Ecology (Plants and Animals) – John A. De Freitas ….. 169
