The 1969 strike on Curacao, in which the struggle for equal rights for whites and blacks came to the surface anew, was rigorously suppressed by the Netherlands. Nevertheless, this latter ‘revolt’ resulted in a considerable improvement in the position of the black population of Curacao. During the upheaval that followed the strike, a theatre piece was staged in the early 1970s entitled Tula, e rebeljon di 1795. Directed by Pacheco Domacassé, the play served as the beginning of a long process that was ultimately to lead to Tula’s rehabilitation. Tula was proclaimed a national hero in 2010.
The story of Tula is the personal story of a man who fought for what he believed in. It is a story of courage, of inspiration, and of the struggle against injustice and inequality. As such it serves as an example for the many other stories past and present of courageous people who dare to stand up against oppression and make a case for a better future. In addition to this, Tula’s story sheds light on the role the Netherlands played in the transatlantic slave trade. And of course they were not the only ones to engage in this vile and lucrative barbarism before the abolition of slavery finally made it a thing of the past
GLOSSARY
Abo, Dios, nos alabá. Abo, Kabayero, nos alabá: You God we praise. You Lord we praise.
Ami ta kla awor: Now I’m ready
Awa limonchi: Water with lime
Berdat: Truth
Bomba: Overseer
Bon nochi: Good night
Brio y poder: Strength and courage
Brua: Collective term for magical and religious practices that go beyond the boundaries of the natural
Chapi: A sort of hoe
Dushi: Sweetie
El Señor es mi pastor, nada ta faltami:
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Aunke mi ta kamna den vaye di sombra di morto,
lo mi no tin miedu di nada. Pasobra Abo ta ku mi:
If I walk through the shadow of the valley of death, I shall fear no evil.
Igualdat: Equality
Kalambé: Loose fitting loincloth
Kenepa (also knippa or knip): Fruit of the pal’i kenepa tree
Kon ta, kon kos ta: How are you?
Libertat y aliansa: Freedom and cooperation
Libertat: Freedom
Makamba: Abusive term for ‘white man’
Meskos ku nos ta pordoná esnan ku a falta ku nos:
As we forgive those who trespass against us
Mi piska: My fish
Mi tin’e: I’ve got him
Mondi: The bush
Montamentu: State of trance
Nos ta piskadó: We are fishermen
Nos Tata, ku ta na shelu, bo nòmber sea santifiká. Laga bo reino bini:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Pètji: Headscarf
Papi: Papa
Pa Bo ta ku me: Because you’re with me
Saya koe yaki: Long dress with short jacket
Shon: Master
Tambu: Drum
Trahadó: Someone who practices brua
Tula ta nos bòs: Tula is our voice
Yuda mi: Help me
Watapana: Branch from bush-like tree
Sources
– Slavery and Resistance in Curaçao (Charles do Rego, Lionel Janga)
– Verlangen naar vrijheid (J. Hartog)
– Tula. De slavenopstand van 1795 op Curaçao (Artwell Cain)
– De slavenopstand op Curaçao (J. Paula)
– Curacao National Archive
About the Author
Jeroen Leinders spent much of his youth on Curacao. After a career in advertising, he turned his talents to making documentaries and films. His work as a director includes the film Tula - The Revolt
Copyright
First published as an e-book in 2013
by HopeRoad Publishing
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All rights reserved
© Jeroen Leinders 2012
Translation from the Dutch © Brian Doyle-Du Breuil
Cover image © Storm Post Production – Sietse van den Broek & Fisheye Feature Films
The right of Jeroen Leinders to be identified as author of this work has been asserted in accordance with Section 77 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
This e-book is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorised distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s and publisher’s rights, and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.
ISBN 978–1–908446–25–1
The publisher gratefully acknowledges the support of the Dutch Foundation for Literature