Healing History By Susan Campbell
Facing the future by acknowledging the past… At the foot of Mt. Christoffel lies Piedra di Monton, a mound of silent stones that speaks volumes about mankind's insatiable quest for freedom. It originates from the belief that slaves who did not eat salt could place a stone here and sing a sacred song in order to receive the power to fly back to Africa. Centuries later, it still remains… a virtual graveyard of hope. Over the ages, the specter of slavery has been woven through every Antillean folk song, dance step and artist's brush stroke. Legends of heroes like Tula, leader of the slave rebellion of 1795, have been proudly handed down, illuminating those who chose not to accept such an unnatural destiny. Last year, a stunning bronze sculpture entitled “Desenkadena” was unveiled on the very spot where the dead bodies of the rebellion's leaders were displayed as deterrents to additional insurrection. And recently restored was a Kas Di Yerba – the original slave dwelling structure as an historic monument. Aside from these scattered testaments to a darker time very little had been documented about Curaçao's infamous past prosperity as one of the largest slave trading centers in the region. Until now. Museum Kurá Hulanda – “In the garden of your soul, weed out rage, so as to plant peace. Let not woes of old enslave you anew,” is the English translation of the Papiamentu words by poet “Nydia Ecury” emblazoned on the outside wall of this new museum dedicated to the history of Black suffering. The complex sits directly on the spot that was once the major slave holding yard. It was conceived and constructed by Jacob Gelt-Dekker, a self made Dutch millionaire. After retiring at the age of 40 to travel the world, Dekker fell in love with an old Otrobanda mansion and spent months restoring it to its former glory. He also fell in love with Curaçao, and decided to contribute something of substance to the community that had made him so welcome. After discovering that there was an inherently national inferiority
complex due to its slave-related history, he decided to do what no one else had done before… comprehensively acknowledge the past. A mammoth undertaking… Dekker purchased the entire city block next to his new home and set local artisans to work. After months of development, the complex was officially opened last April and is among the largest museums in the Caribbean, The exhibits and collection come from the far reaches of the globe and include unique artifacts representing proud accomplishments of Africa's past cultures (before slavery) as well as authentic items that attest to man's inhumanity to man. A gorgeous courtyard for live theatre, a magnificent sculpture garden, a reconstructed African village slave ship, and tributes to the likes of Darwin de Leakey who traced the origins of man back to Africa, are among the many treasures to be found here. An exhibition called Black and White is dedicated to the display of historic documents such as were found on the infamous ship Amistad. Borrowing a line from the award-winning Amistad movie, “Who we are is indeed, who we were…” Dekker hopes that by bridging the gap of information about this era, a new, informed consciousness will lead to a better understanding between human beings. Visit: http://www.kurahulanda.com/en/museum