Echoes of Resilience: Migrant Mothers Share Their Stories in Curaçao’s ‘Trunk Full of Cultures’
Curaçao, a gem in the southern Caribbean, is renowned for its vibrant tapestry of over fifty coexisting cultures, a place poetically described as a “trunk full of cultures.” Within this rich mosaic, the “Mama Baranka” (Mothers of Rock) project offers a poignant glimpse into the lives of migrant mothers who have found new beginnings on the island, navigating challenges while enriching its diverse identity. This initiative, spearheaded by Wintertuin Curaçao and led by emerging poet Aline Abdul, transforms their personal journeys into powerful narratives of resilience, identity, and belonging.
The Genesis of Mama Baranka: A Literary Platform for Migrant Voices
The Mama Baranka project, an initiative of Wintertuin Curaçao, a branch of the Netherlands-based literary organization Wintertuin, aims to spotlight and strengthen the literary voices of the Caribbean. Specifically, it seeks to create greater awareness for migrant literature and the integral role migrants play in Curaçaoan society. Project leader Aline Abdul, a young poet and law student with her own bicultural background, was uniquely positioned to guide this endeavor. Having grown up in Curaçao after being born in Lebanon, Abdul intimately understands the complexities of integration and the lingering sense of being an outsider, even when fully adapted.
Abdul facilitated ten intensive literary sessions where six migrant mothers from diverse backgrounds – including Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Colombia – shared their deeply personal experiences. These sessions delved into the everyday realities of their lives, encompassing clashing norms and values, social pressures, parenting, and the relentless pursuit of employment. The raw honesty and emotional depth of these narratives were then carefully sculpted by Abdul into prose and poetry, preserving the essence of each woman’s voice. The project culminates not only in literary works but also in a documentary, ensuring that these crucial stories are not only heard but also preserved and shared.
Curaçao: A Historic Melting Pot of Peoples
Curaçao’s identity as a “trunk full of cultures” is deeply rooted in its history. Initially inhabited by indigenous Arawak and Caquetio peoples, the island later became a significant hub for European exploration and, crucially, the transatlantic slave trade. Over centuries, its strategic location and colonial history have drawn people from across Europe, Africa, South America, and the wider Caribbean, creating a unique cultural fusion evident in its languages, cuisine, music, and traditions. This rich diversity means that, unlike in some other regions where migration can be a politically charged issue, in Curaçao it is often framed as a social matter.
Navigating Life as a Migrant Mother: Challenges and Triumphs
Despite Curaçao’s welcoming multicultural environment, migrant mothers often face significant hurdles. The initial context suggests that finding employment can necessitate downplaying or even “erasing” their country of origin from their resumes, a stark reality that deeply impacts self-worth. This experience underscores the broader challenges of gendered labor market discrimination, where traditional roles can limit opportunities, and the persistent feeling of being labeled a “foreigner” even after years of integration. For these women, motherhood and migration are inextricably linked to their island experience, often requiring immense mental fortitude.
“Curaçao has given my children peace, it has brought us headaches, sunshine, and sometimes also storms,” illustrates the complex reality for one mother. “Curaçao is our trunk. Sometimes it opens and we see the sun. Sometimes it closes and we must find a way to survive in the dark”. This duality of experience is a recurring theme, capturing both the gratitude for the stability and freedom their children find on the island and the pain associated with the struggles they endure. The mothers themselves often invoke the phrase “Kòrsou ta pidi forsa” (Curaçao asks for strength), a testament to their enduring resilience and determination.
Asserting Belonging: ‘We Too Are Curaçao’
The Mama Baranka project serves as a powerful vehicle for migrant mothers to assert their place within the Curaçaoan community. By transforming their personal stories into artistic expressions, the project not only validates their experiences but also challenges exclusionary narratives. The mothers’ collective declaration, “Nos tambe ta yu di e tera’ki. Nos tambe ta Kòrsou” (We too are children of this land. We too are Curaçao), is a profound statement of their multifaceted identity and rightful belonging.
Aline Abdul views literature as a “quiet rebellion,” a method of inscribing one’s experience into permanence, making it visible and undeniable. This artistic expression allows these women to move beyond the “foreigner” label and claim their status as integral members of the island’s fabric. Their stories, filled with both vulnerability and an “enormous mental strength,” contribute to a deeper understanding of what it means to build a life and a community in a new land.
Conclusion: A Vibrant Chapter in Curaçao’s Cultural Narrative
The Mama Baranka project is more than just a literary endeavor; it is a testament to the power of storytelling in fostering connection, understanding, and empowerment. It highlights the often-unseen contributions of migrant mothers and enriches the narrative of Curaçao as a dynamic, ever-evolving “trunk full of cultures.” These shared stories underscore the universal human desire for belonging, the strength found in motherhood, and the profound resilience that allows individuals to create new homes and forge new identities amidst diverse communities in the Caribbean and beyond.