The Forming of a Community in the Heart of the Dutch Caribbean

This master thesis is focussed on the socio-cultural formation of the community of Rincon in Bonaire, between the period of 1816 until 2010. Why we can still consider this time period being characterized by creolization is the main question which is examined. Language is an important element of a culture and when cultural changes in a language develop, it is an important indication that other aspects of a culture have transformed as well. This is part of the process which is known as creolization. Throughout this research, creolization is considered to be a valuable concept that helps explaining how social and cultural changes affect this process and influences the transformation of a culture. Looking at the Dutch Caribbean and Bonaire specifically, it has had to deal with many influences ranging from Amerindian, European to African. Not much is known of the colonial past of Bonaire and it is for this reason why it is so important to research the period before and after the abolition of slavery and reflect upon the situation in the twenty-first century. It provides an opportunity to resolve any losses of historical continuity for the Bonairean. Research shows that the community of Rincon still dealt with creolization in the period of 1816 until 2010. Out of necessity, the community built their own social institutions but were at the same time confronted with Dutch colonial institutions as well. This contrast demonstrates how we as human subjects sometimes overestimate our own ability to cope with transformation. The community of Rincon exemplifies how a creolized culture is indeed capable of mobilizing new cultural elements such as a language, religion and cultural heritage; but at the same time a creolized culture remains susceptible for change. A result, which has an astounding effect on our world which is more and more confronted with diminishing boundaries each day.