Nos prome tema!
How do you pick & choose from a culture so rich with a history so deep? When brainstorming we were overflown with different ideas and knew immediately that this was going to become a yearly commitment. We started crafting different theme’s, then paused them, put them all in the bullpen to pick & choose one. We went to the core of Dia di Rincon as we’re also celebrating its 35th anniversary: ‘Simadan, the harvest feast’.
But where did this originate from? Our harvesting culture leading to such a beautiful festivity? This journey took us alongside the government plantations in the 1600s, referred to as ‘Landstuinen’. Where our foremothers & fathers farmed producing meat, charcoal, fruits, salt and aloe for export to feed our sister island Curaçao. All happening in the hidden valley of Rincon & its hills surrounding it.
Fastforward to the period after emancipation, late 1800s early 1900s they kept practicing agriculture for the private Shons instead of the Government & West Indische Compagnie. Mostly on the same fields; Karpata, Slagbaai, Washington, Onima, Colombia.
So our forebears held on to what they knew (even prior to colonization).
In 1883 they were granted kunuku lands; ‘huurgronden’ to be able to provide for themselves. And this is were Simadan was born, during harvest season they started helping each other out taking rounds: “Awelbon, mi ta yuda bo korta maïshi awe, anto awe na 8 dia bo ta bin juda ami”.
Cutting the last maïshi around 3pm, afterwards dal biter & play music to celebrate. In the late afternoon, around 5pm they started parading from the kunuku’s with their kosecha (harvest) to their homes in the heart of Rincon. Parada di Simadan was born.
So let’s go slightly back, back to the fields where this practice originated; 'Den Landstuinen'. Our inspo, our first theme. We’re going to take you on a journey
'Den Landstuinen'
Who’s on the fields?
E Shon, head of the fields in 1600s, owner of the fields in late 1800's ealry 1900's.
His wife & kids.
The Vitó who's the right hand of the Shon 1800's, 1900's. A local who is the link between the Shon and the pueblo.
On the field you'll find the Kunukero i e muhe riba plantashi (lady in the field).
At home Yaya watches the Shons kids. Sirbiente cleans, cooks & sometimes has an affaire with the Shon & then comes: ‘yu di e kria’ :)
We’ll be offering 7 outfits to choose from, each representing their roles as realistic & as detailed as possible.
Fabric & materials have been selected thoughtfully.
The upper class had access to white cotton, silk, detailed fabrics, lace, pearl etc.
Whilst the pueblo had access to tela di pruga (raw/beige cotton). Represented in the outfits of the Kunukero, Muhe riba plantashi, Yaya & Sirbiente.
As yaya & sirbiente ar in-home they profited from a bit more luxury hence their outfits are a bit more adorned.
Muhe riba plantashi's skorch has 1 strand of lace (Kanchi), and Yaya's skorchi has lots of it.
All headpiece's have also been selected carefully & some also handmade (Shon Petra, Kunukero & little girl). Scarfs covering head completey on the field against the sun. Wrapped around hair for the cleaning lady.
Concept & inspo by Nos Toko, outfit design & creation N & M Wilson Fashion from Rincon.
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Shon Petra
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