Tula

by Jeroen Leinders

  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

  Kabritu: Goat

  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

  Que pasa: What’s going on?

  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

  P O Box 55544

  Exhibition Road

  London SW7 2DB

  www.hoperoadpublishing.com

  http://twitter.com/hoperoadpublish

  http://hoperoadpublishing.wordpress.com

  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