Category Archives: Tradition
739. Easter in Curaçao (Part 1)
NO SWIMMING on Good Friday! Or you might turn into a fish…* Soulful home-cooking on the ‘konfó’ (krioyo BBQ) seen all over the island! (Tutu, black-eyed pea mush, in the making) Good Friday = Piská Hasá ku Funchi i Tutu! (but this plate
739. Easter in Curaçao (Part 1)
NO SWIMMING on Good Friday! Or you might turn into a fish…* Soulful home-cooking on the ‘konfó’ (krioyo BBQ) seen all over the island! (Tutu, black-eyed pea mush, in the making) Good Friday = Piská Hasá ku Funchi i Tutu! (but this plate
744. Curaçao’s Pan Será
Pan Será dates back to a time when there were no bakeries outside of Willemstad (Bandariba), in Bandabou. So people would bake their own bread in fòrnu di klenku (outdoor stone ovens). The frugal recipe calls for minimal yeast, so the bread
744. Curaçao’s Pan Será
Pan Será dates back to a time when there were no bakeries outside of Willemstad (Bandariba), in Bandabou. So people would bake their own bread in fòrnu di klenku (outdoor stone ovens). The frugal recipe calls for minimal yeast, so the bread
748. Curaçao’s Female Head Art
Our Lensu di Kabes (headscarf) is a fascinating African tradition nearly extinct due to modern hair straightening and relaxing techniques (who’d voluntarily cover up their expensive hairdos?!) But back in the 19th and 20th century, Lensu di Kabes would communicate a woman’s story,
748. Curaçao’s Female Head Art
Our Lensu di Kabes (headscarf) is a fascinating African tradition nearly extinct due to modern hair straightening and relaxing techniques (who’d voluntarily cover up their expensive hairdos?!) But back in the 19th and 20th century, Lensu di Kabes would communicate a woman’s story,
759. Curaçao Carnival 2013 (Part 2)
(Never to be confused with Brazil, Trinidad or NOLA…)
760. Curaçao Carnival 2013 (Part 1)
(Never to be confused with Brazil, Trinidad or New Orleans…)
765. Curaçao’s ‘Burning Man’ Momo
In order to be king, you have to be “as big as a house” and jolly, says Brazil’s current King Momo, Rodrigues da Silva (here with his daughter). King Momo represents ‘excess’… like that cartoon-ish devil over your shoulder… you know… the one
765. Curaçao’s ‘Burning Man’ Momo
In order to be king, you have to be “as big as a house” and jolly, says Brazil’s current King Momo, Rodrigues da Silva (here with his daughter). King Momo represents ‘excess’… like that cartoon-ish devil over your shoulder… you know… the one
768. Carnival di Banda Bou
Carnival di Banda Bou, our mom-and-pop version of Carnival is my personal favorite. Wholesome and homemade not cluttered with sponsorships and ads — one big happy family parading in front of each others’ houses decked out in pretty costumes.
768. Carnival di Banda Bou
Carnival di Banda Bou, our mom-and-pop version of Carnival is my personal favorite. Wholesome and homemade not cluttered with sponsorships and ads — one big happy family parading in front of each others’ houses decked out in pretty costumes.
785. Curaçao’s Obsession with Dutch Royalty
Our fine boss lady, Queen Beatrix (75), just announced that she’ll be abdicating the throne after 33 years… ending 123 years of female throne domination… just so my childhood crush, Prince Willem Alexander, can become King on Koninginnedag (world famous
785. Curaçao’s Obsession with Dutch Royalty
Our fine boss lady, Queen Beatrix (75), just announced that she’ll be abdicating the throne after 33 years… ending 123 years of female throne domination… just so my childhood crush, Prince Willem Alexander, can become King on Koninginnedag (world famous
788. Curaçao’s Teduki Returns Better Than Ever
‘Teduki’ stems from the Dutch ‘theedoek’ and is typically a patterned dishtowel. Curaçao’s version is a single-layered quilt of recycled remnant fabric from old clothing and head scarves patched together by our resourceful mothers, grandmothers, aunts and yayas (beloved nannies). Its seams stitched
788. Curaçao’s Teduki Returns Better Than Ever
‘Teduki’ stems from the Dutch ‘theedoek’ and is typically a patterned dishtowel. Curaçao’s version is a single-layered quilt of recycled remnant fabric from old clothing and head scarves patched together by our resourceful mothers, grandmothers, aunts and yayas (beloved nannies). Its seams stitched
791. Curaçao’s Random Fascination with ‘Buki di Bristol’
I was lucky to meet Andéchi literally ‘little Andrés’ a few months ago. Mind you, Shon Andrés Corsino Albert was born on February 4, 1938, but still goes by his nomber chikí… His mother found his name in the buki di Bristol of
791. Curaçao’s Random Fascination with ‘Buki di Bristol’
I was lucky to meet Andéchi literally ‘little Andrés’ a few months ago. Mind you, Shon Andrés Corsino Albert was born on February 4, 1938, but still goes by his nomber chikí… His mother found his name in the buki di Bristol of
802. Curaçao Fuikdag 2013
Curaçao’s fishermen introduced the very first ‘Fuikdag’ as a spontaneous, unregulated ‘gathering at sea’ to wish each other a happy, prosperous New Year the very first Sunday of every year. Today ‘Fuikdag’ is a highly anticipated debauchery of hundreds of yachts
802. Curaçao Fuikdag 2013
Curaçao’s fishermen introduced the very first ‘Fuikdag’ as a spontaneous, unregulated ‘gathering at sea’ to wish each other a happy, prosperous New Year the very first Sunday of every year. Today ‘Fuikdag’ is a highly anticipated debauchery of hundreds of yachts
805. Curaçao New Year’s Dive
A Dutch New Year’s tradition since 1960, 12 hours after midnight tens of thousands of people gather to dive into the sea, together. Then warm up with some snert (traditional Dutch pea soup). King of Snert UNOX and Zanzibar have
805. Curaçao New Year’s Dive
A Dutch New Year’s tradition since 1960, 12 hours after midnight tens of thousands of people gather to dive into the sea, together. Then warm up with some snert (traditional Dutch pea soup). King of Snert UNOX and Zanzibar have
806. New Year Tradition Tambú: Music and Dance of Curaçao (Part 6 of 6)
Documentary filmmaker, Elizeth Labega (YouTube: “Tambú: Music and Dance of Curaçao”) explores the ‘forbidden’ nature of our indigenous music and dance. Imported from West Africa in the 1600s, Tambú music is made with a single skinned drum, a metal percussion
806. New Year Tradition Tambú: Music and Dance of Curaçao (Part 6 of 6)
Documentary filmmaker, Elizeth Labega (YouTube: “Tambú: Music and Dance of Curaçao”) explores the ‘forbidden’ nature of our indigenous music and dance. Imported from West Africa in the 1600s, Tambú music is made with a single skinned drum, a metal percussion
807. Curaçao New Year’s Pagaras
New Year’s Eve starts around noon on December 31. Large crowds gather on business parking lots to hug and give each other 3 bon anja kisses on the cheek, dance, laugh, hear (and smell!) the Pagara, a long red ribbon
807. Curaçao New Year’s Pagaras
New Year’s Eve starts around noon on December 31. Large crowds gather on business parking lots to hug and give each other 3 bon anja kisses on the cheek, dance, laugh, hear (and smell!) the Pagara, a long red ribbon
808. Curaçao’s Lotto Economy
Approximately 800 resellers, often elderly women (sometimes men), in need of extra income, sell bièchi for Landsloterij, the only Public Lottery in Curaçao and the Dutch Caribbean. Drawings are held on an bi-weekly basis (24x a year) and resellers receive
808. Curaçao’s Lotto Economy
Approximately 800 resellers, often elderly women (sometimes men), in need of extra income, sell bièchi for Landsloterij, the only Public Lottery in Curaçao and the Dutch Caribbean. Drawings are held on an bi-weekly basis (24x a year) and resellers receive
1000 Awesome Things About Curaçao 