Slave houses on Bonaire by Brenda Verboekend

About "Slave houses on Bonaire"

by Brenda Verboekend

About the artwork

The slave houses on the dike separating Lake Pekel from the Caribbean Sea, in the south of Bonaire, are world-famous and unique. Indeed, in most places in the world, all memories of the slave era have been carefully erased.

On Bonaire, many black slaves from Africa were employed in the salt pans (there are 18 salt pans on the coral island) and on the plantations. This came to an end in 1863, as slavery was abolished in the Antilles in that year.

Rincon and Tera Cora
The slave labourers had to work in the salt pans of southern Bonaire but lived in the middle of Bonaire in the town of Rincon. It was a 7-hour walk for the slaves to walk from the salt pans to their families in Rincon. That is why the WIC built the slave huts, so to speak, in 1850, which meant some of the slaves did not have to walk up and down every day. After 1850, some of the government slaves also lived in Tera Cora (Tera Kora). During the slave era, this place was called Mundo Nobo (new world). Tera Cora is a lot closer to Bonaire's salt pans. As a result, the slaves did not have to walk as far. Today, Tera Cora is one of the suburbs of Kralendijk.

Cultural heritage
The slave huts have been thoroughly restored to their original state by the Stichting Nationale Parken Nederlandse Antillen (Stinapa). In addition, clear information boards have been placed at the site explaining in a clear manner the history of salt extraction on Bonaire.