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.