Tambu: Curaçao's African-Caribbean Ritual and the Politics of Memory

178 Pages·2012·1.77 MB·English

by  Nanette de Jong

Acknowledgments i
tambú
ii Acknowledgments
tambú
Ethnomusicology
Multimedia
Ethnomusicology
Multimedia
Acknowledgments iii
tambú
Curaçao’s afriCan-Caribbean ritual
and the PolitiCs of MeMory
NaNette de JoNg
IndIAnA UnIversIty Press
Bloomington and Indianapolis
iv Acknowledgments
This book is a publication of
Indiana University Press
601 North Morton Street
Bloomington, Indiana 47404-3797 USA
iupress.indiana.edu
Telephone orders 800-842-6796
Fax orders 812-855-7931
© 2012 by Nanette de Jong
All rights reserved
No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or
by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying
and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,
without permission in writing from the publisher. The Association of
American University Presses’ Resolution on Permissions constitutes
the only exception to this prohibition.
The paper used in this publication meets the minimum
requirements of the American National Standard for Information
Sciences —Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials,
ANSI Z39.48-1992.
Manufactured in the United States of America
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Jong, Nanette de, [date]
Tambú : Curaçao’s African-Caribbean ritual and the politics of
memory / Nanette de Jong.
p. cm. — (Ethnomusicology multimedia)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-253-35654-3 (cloth : alk. paper) — ISBN 978-0-253-
22337-1 (pbk. : alk. paper) — ISBN 978-0-253-00572-4 (electronic
book) 1. Tambú (Music)—Curaçao—History and criticism. 2. Blacks—
Curaçao—Music—History and cricism. 3. Music—Social aspects—
Curaçao. 4. Blacks—Curaçao—Rites and ceremonies. I. Title.
ML3565.J67 2012
781.62′96972986—dc23
2011035912
1 2 3 4 5 17 16 15 14 13 12
Acknowledgments v
DeDicateD to my parents,
dr. gerald and mrs. Jeanette de Jong:
Batidó’i mi tobo,
Tokadó’i mi chapi
player of my tambú,
player of my chapi.
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Acknowledgments vii
CoNteNts
Acknowledgments ix
Introduction / Introducktorio:
Get Ready! / Poné Bo kla! 1
Part 1. Habri: Here It Is, the History of Tambú!
Até Aki, Historia di tambú! 13
1. The Story of Our Ancestors, the Story of Africa
e kuenta di nos Antepasados, e kuenta di Afrika 15
2. Told through the Fierce Rhythms of the Drum
kontá pa e ritmonan Furioso di su Barí 30
3.
The Laws Couldn’t Keep Tambú Away.
The Church Couldn’t Keep Tambú Away.
leinan no Por a tene tambú lew.
misa no Por a tene tambú lew. 49
Part 2. Será: Get Ready! Get Ready!
Poné Bo kla! Poné Bo kla! 71
4. Prepare for the Arrival of Our Ancestors
Prepará Bo pa e Jegada di nos Antepasados 73
5. Clap Your Hands!
Bati Bo mannan! 88
vviiiiii cAocknnteonwtsledgments
6. Come for the Party
Bin na e Fiesta 104
Conclusion/conclui:
Are You Ready? Are You Ready to Hear the History of Tambú?
Bo Ta Kla? Bo Ta Kla pa Tende e Historia di Tambú? 117
Glossary of Terms Referring to Tambú 129
Bibliography 143
List of Interviews 151
Index 153
Acknowledgments ix
aCkNowledgmeNts
I did not choose Curaçao as a research site as much as Curaçao chose me,
or, perhaps, more aptly, Curaçao captured me, the unusual diversity of its
music captivating my research interests, while the kindness and sincerity
of the people enabled a rare sense of belonging. Although now a bit ironic,
my initial plan for research was to explore the Petro pantheon of Haiti’s Vo-
dou religion. In preparation for this endeavor I attended separate language
courses in French and Patois, I took university-led seminars in French Ca-
ribbean history, and I built up a library of essays and books on the topic. I
excitedly made plans to relocate to Port-au-Prince, organizing contacts and
finalizing a place of temporary residence. As the dates for my travel to Haiti
drew closer, however, unrest between Haiti and the United States escalated.
With the United States threatening a forced invasion, the prospective lenders
of my research grant contracted their support, suggesting instead I reapply
for research to another Caribbean country.
The eventual decision to focus on the Netherlands Antilles, surprisingly,
did not come quickly or easily. Yet, once made, the decision revealed an over-
arching logic, and I remain surprised and even perplexed that the decision
was so slow in coming. I am of Dutch American ancestry; my father (now
deceased) was a major scholar of Dutch American history; and as a family
we spent summers living in Den Haag. Moving my research to the Dutch
Caribbean was not only reasonable; it felt “natural.”
The “story,” however, is not yet finished—Curaçao was not my first
choice; Bonaire, a neighboring island was, with travel to Curaçao planned
four to five months later. I bought my airline ticket, packed my suitcases, and
prepared my departure. Arriving in Miami, however, I received news that
the plane to Bonaire was canceled. Passengers were being rerouted to Cura-
çao, with flights to Bonaire scheduled one week later. Unexpectedly, I found
myself comfortably settling into Curaçaoan life during that week: within