Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine July 2017 | Page 155
Photo Credit: Paul Arps
Walking around the streets of this long-standing
village, one can easily get lost in time with a guide
booklet and map in hand, having conversations
with the friendly locals and being immersed
in the interesting cultural variations you will
encounter. Brightly-colored houses and ancient
stone buildings are beautifully scattered all over
the town, eliciting a mellow, laidback mood. A
lovely blend of Indian, African, Asian and European
influences are evident throughout.
Listening to traditional Bonairean music, you’ll be
charmed by the combination of sounds emanating
from instruments made from farming tools with the
help of other modern accompaniments - a perfect
musical balance resulting in mesmerizing tribal
beats. Being cleverly resourceful, Bonaireans, over
the years, created unique musical instruments with
items readily available. One such instrument is the
Bari which is a small rum barrel concealed with
sheepskin to create a drum. Another is the Chapi, a
percussive instrument shaped from the metal end
of a hoe. Still more creative is a unique shaker made
from the jaw of a donkey with the teeth still intact.
Photo Credit: BGabel
Discovered during the 1500’s, Rincon is now
the cradle of Bonaire’s history. The town
maintains some of the significant traditions
and cultures of yesteryear and celebrates
these with festivals highlighting the town’s
antiquity that is deep-rooted in religion and
its associated celebrations during the various
holiday seasons.
Singing and dancing is an integral part of the
culture of Bonaire. During a visit to Rincon in
December, you may witness the Bari Festival during
which time traditional music is used to tell stories
of the rough life endured by the slaves.
These and much more can be experienced during a
visit to the island of Bonaire - a beautiful island with
a rich cultural history.