WILLEMSTAD – MFK Member of Parliament Ishahier Monte is warning that demographic changes, migration and technological developments could threaten the survival of Curaçao's traditional customs, music, food preparation methods and other cultural practices unless stronger efforts are made to preserve them.
In parliamentary questions addressed to Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Sithree van Heydoorn, Monte expressed concern that valuable cultural knowledge could disappear as older generations pass away and younger Curaçaoans increasingly build their lives abroad.
The parliamentarian believes that protecting intangible cultural heritage is becoming more urgent as Curaçao's population changes.
Referring to figures from the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), Monte stated that 24.7 percent of Curaçao's population was aged 65 or older in the 2023 census, compared with 13.8 percent in 2011.
He considers the growing proportion of older residents particularly relevant to cultural preservation because many traditional skills, recipes, stories and customs are maintained and passed down by older generations.
Monte also pointed to the number of young Curaçaoans who leave the island each year to pursue higher education abroad.
According to the figures cited in his parliamentary questions, only approximately five percent return directly after completing their studies.
He expressed concern that the departure of younger generations could weaken the transmission of cultural knowledge within families and communities.
Another demographic development highlighted by Monte is that approximately one in four Curaçao residents was born outside the island.
While acknowledging that migration contributes to Curaçao's cultural richness, he believes these changes also make it important to ensure that the island's traditional practices remain familiar and accessible to everyone.
Traditional Knowledge at Risk
Monte identified several examples of cultural practices that he believes deserve greater attention.
These include traditional recipes for yambo and tutu, the preparation of sweets such as kokada, the making of traditional toys and games, and the knowledge associated with Curaçao's musical heritage.
He also referred to customs surrounding funerals, traditional clothing and community celebrations.
According to the parliamentarian, the importance of these practices extends beyond their immediate cultural or recreational value.
Each represents knowledge accumulated over generations and contributes to the identity of Curaçao's people.
Monte questioned how many of these traditions are being actively preserved and which ones could eventually disappear without timely intervention.
His concerns also extend to the influence of modern technology on younger generations.
Digital entertainment, changing musical preferences and new forms of communication are transforming how children and young adults interact with traditional culture.
However, Monte emphasized that technology does not necessarily have to undermine cultural preservation.
He believes digital tools could also create opportunities to record traditional knowledge, preserve historical practices and make cultural information available to future generations.
Regional Agreement on Digital Cultural Inventories
The parliamentarian referred to a declaration of intent signed on February 8, 2019, by Curaçao, Aruba, Sint Maarten and the Netherlands.
The agreement focused on developing inventories of intangible cultural heritage and making the information digitally accessible.
Monte's questions raise the issue of how far Curaçao has progressed in implementing these commitments.
He also referred to the Intangible Cultural Heritage Commission established by the Curaçao government in May 2023, which was tasked with identifying cultural traditions and determining which practices require protection.
One of the commission's responsibilities is to develop a separate inventory of traditions that may be at risk of disappearing.
For Monte, identifying these vulnerable traditions is an essential step toward preventing the permanent loss of cultural knowledge.
He wants the government to explain how it intends to ensure that children and grandchildren continue to recognize, practice and transmit the traditions inherited from previous generations.
The parliamentarian argues that Curaçao's cultural identity should not depend solely on annual festivals or commemorative events.
Instead, he believes cultural preservation must involve sustained efforts to document traditional practices, encourage participation and transfer knowledge between generations.
The questions submitted to Minister Van Heydoorn seek to establish whether the government has the policies, inventories and preservation programs necessary to address these challenges before important elements of Curaçao's cultural heritage are lost.