Category Archives: Superstition
603. Curaçao’s ‘Forbidden’ New Year’s Tradition
Prolific Dutch writer Jan Brokken once described this forbidden new year’s tradition in all its culturally sensitive glory: “though man and woman don’t touch each other during tambú dance, they move more provocatively than a Dutch couple making love.” This form of recreation and
603. Curaçao’s ‘Forbidden’ New Year’s Tradition
Prolific Dutch writer Jan Brokken once described this forbidden new year’s tradition in all its culturally sensitive glory: “though man and woman don’t touch each other during tambú dance, they move more provocatively than a Dutch couple making love.” This form of recreation and
735. Curaçao’s Obsession with Superstition
Asina Nan Di… By Paul Hubert Franz Brenneker (‘Pader Brenneker’) Nan di: No bari kas despues di seis’or di atardi. Nan di: No kumpra nada na 50, ni na 13 tampoko, Djo libra! Nan di: No duna un hende nada na
735. Curaçao’s Obsession with Superstition
Asina Nan Di… By Paul Hubert Franz Brenneker (‘Pader Brenneker’) Nan di: No bari kas despues di seis’or di atardi. Nan di: No kumpra nada na 50, ni na 13 tampoko, Djo libra! Nan di: No duna un hende nada na
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
750. Curaçao’s Good Luck Tricks (Part 2)
1. Don’t crawl, your mother might pass away. 2. Black butterflies signal looming death; chase them out of the house ASAP! 3. To prevent evil eye, never say that a newborn baby is cute! (Newborns are ugly no matter what)
750. Curaçao’s Good Luck Tricks (Part 2)
1. Don’t crawl, your mother might pass away. 2. Black butterflies signal looming death; chase them out of the house ASAP! 3. To prevent evil eye, never say that a newborn baby is cute! (Newborns are ugly no matter what)
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
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
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
809. Curaçao’s New Year’s Superstition
In my Gomes Casseres family, we leap over burning incense on December 31. Don’t ask. Show up around 7:30 – 8 pm half-tipsy, sometimes full-tipsy from all-day roadside day time new year’s eve parties. Jump over the smoky pan filled with
809. Curaçao’s New Year’s Superstition
In my Gomes Casseres family, we leap over burning incense on December 31. Don’t ask. Show up around 7:30 – 8 pm half-tipsy, sometimes full-tipsy from all-day roadside day time new year’s eve parties. Jump over the smoky pan filled with
832. Curaçao Kitchens Drive Mosquitoes Insane
We lament our dry, arid climate and pray for rain… when we finally get some rain… we detest the seemingly ‘magical’ appearance of mosquitoes and flies. So our awesome problem-solving ancestors cooked up a plan to confuse the suckers, make their
832. Curaçao Kitchens Drive Mosquitoes Insane
We lament our dry, arid climate and pray for rain… when we finally get some rain… we detest the seemingly ‘magical’ appearance of mosquitoes and flies. So our awesome problem-solving ancestors cooked up a plan to confuse the suckers, make their
866. Fiesta di San Juan
We were rattled and are currently recovering from too much rain in much of the northern Caribbean and US East… (I’m on Sandy Day #4 of no power and very thankful to good friends for putting me up)… Ironically, I
866. Fiesta di San Juan
We were rattled and are currently recovering from too much rain in much of the northern Caribbean and US East… (I’m on Sandy Day #4 of no power and very thankful to good friends for putting me up)… Ironically, I
880. Curaçao’s 7 Good Luck Tricks (Part 1)
1. If you happen to accidentally walk over a child’s body – reverse your step. (Poor thing might not grow anymore). 2. Never sweep a woman’s foot with a broom. If you do, she won’t marry. 3. If you step
880. Curaçao’s 7 Good Luck Tricks (Part 1)
1. If you happen to accidentally walk over a child’s body – reverse your step. (Poor thing might not grow anymore). 2. Never sweep a woman’s foot with a broom. If you do, she won’t marry. 3. If you step
904. Curaçao Recycles Everything…
Spotted in Westpunt at Hofi Pachi Colá… Wea di pishi (translated: ‘piss pans’ used as port-a-potties in the old pre-indoor plumbing days) now serve as hats, to shield cacti from the scorching sun. Just kidding! Wea di pishi turned upside
904. Curaçao Recycles Everything…
Spotted in Westpunt at Hofi Pachi Colá… Wea di pishi (translated: ‘piss pans’ used as port-a-potties in the old pre-indoor plumbing days) now serve as hats, to shield cacti from the scorching sun. Just kidding! Wea di pishi turned upside
907. Curaçao’s Evil Eye Protection
We buy these little packets filled with blous (blue powder) at the drugstore. Many mothers rub blous under their newborns’ feet to protect them against Oyada (Evil Eye). Others rub blous in their hair, between their buttocks. Some even shower
907. Curaçao’s Evil Eye Protection
We buy these little packets filled with blous (blue powder) at the drugstore. Many mothers rub blous under their newborns’ feet to protect them against Oyada (Evil Eye). Others rub blous in their hair, between their buttocks. Some even shower
937. Don’t put your Purse on the Floor in Curaçao!
Apparently your money will run away from you…
1000 Awesome Things About Curaçao 