What is it about?
This study examines how music reflects and shapes the experiences of migration and cultural blending in Curaçao and the broader Caribbean after the abolition of slavery in 1863. It explores how Curaçaoan migrants, moving beyond colonial boundaries between Caribbean islands, carry their musical traditions and their Creole language, Papiamentu, and how these are blended with local styles to create new sounds that express shifting identities and connections. The focus is on how these musical forms evoke themes of belonging, memory, and adaptation in the context of diaspora and migration.
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Why is it important?
This study is important because it highlights how music and language serve as powerful tools for understanding the cultural and social dynamics of migration and identity in the Caribbean. By focusing on Curaçao and its Creole language, Papiamentu, it sheds light on how communities navigate and redefine their identities across colonial boundaries
Perspectives
I find the study of music in the context of Curaçao’s diasporic and migratory experiences compelling. It speaks to how music becomes a deeply personal tool for expressing identity, memories, and the emotions of migration. For many migrants, music is not just a form of entertainment—it is a way to hold on to their roots, preserve cultural traditions like Papiamentu, and navigate the complex feelings of belonging and displacement. Through music, individuals can bridge the gap between their past and present, creating new connections while honoring their heritage.
Rose Mary Allen
University of Curacao Dr Moises da Costa Gomez
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Music in Diasporic Context: The Case of Curaçao and Intra-Caribbean Migration, Black Music Research Journal, January 2012, University of Illinois Press,
DOI: 10.5406/blacmusiresej.32.2.0051.
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