Tambú: Curaçao's African-Caribbean Ritual and the Politics of Memory

by Nanette de Jong

Overview

As contemporary Tambú music and dance evolved on the Caribbean island of Curaçao, it intertwined sacred and secular, private and public cultural practices, and many traditions from Africa and the New World. As she explores the formal contours of Tambú, Nanette de Jong discovers its variegated history and uncovers its multiple and even contradictory origins. De Jong recounts the personal stories and experiences of Afro-Curaçaoans as they perform Tambu–some who complain of its violence and low-class attraction and others who champion Tambú as a powerful tool of collective memory as well as a way to imagine the future.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780253223371
Publisher:	Indiana University Press
Publication date:	04/24/2012
Series:	Ethnomusicology Multimedia Series
Pages:	182
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Nanette de Jong is Senior Lecturer at the International Centre for Music Studies, Newcastle University.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction/Introducktorio: Get Ready! / Poné Bo Kla!
Part 1. Habri: Here It Is, the History of Tambú! / Até Aki, Historia di Tambú!
1. The Story of Our Ancestors, the Story of Africa / E Kuenta di Nos Antepasados, e Kuenta di Afrika
2. Told through the Fierce Rhythms of the Drum / Kontá pa e Ritmonan Furioso di su Barí
3. The Laws Couldn't Keep Tambú Away. The Church Couldn't Keep Tambú Away. / Leinan No Por a Tene Tambú Lew. Misa No Por a Tene Tambú Lew.
Part 2. Séru: Get Ready! Get Ready! / Poné Bo Kla! Poné Bo Kla!
4. Prepare for the Arrival of Our Ancestors / Prepará Bo pa e Jegada di Nos Antepasados
5. Clap Your Hands! / Bati Bo Mannan!
6. Come for the Party / Bin na e Fiesta
Conclusion/Conclui: Are You Ready? Are You Ready to Hear the History of Tambú? / Bo Ta Kla? Bo Ta Kla pa Tende e Historia di Tambú?
Glossary of Terms Referring to Tambú
Bibliography
List of Interviews
Index

What People are Saying About This

Michigan State University - Michael Largey

Examines the practice of Tambú that is associated with the syncretic religious tradition of Montamentu using memory as a framing device for understanding the African-derived cultural values, musical expressions, and socio-politically resistant behaviors against dominant European-based ideals of acceptability.

SUNY–Oneonta - Donald Hill

To understand Tambú is to understand Caribbean music.

Editorial Reviews

"In addition to its ample contribution to scholarship on the Caribbean and its musical practices, colonial-, and post-colonial histories, de Jong makes valuable contributions to a number of scholarly literatures concerned with Afro-Caribbean performance practices."—The World of Music

"De Jong emphasizes 'tambu's' role as a medium of memory, cultural and political commentary, and commemorative history.Fall / Winter 2015"—Latin American Music Review

"Overall, this volume in Indiana University Press's Ethnomusicology Multimedia series is an important contribution to Caribbean ethnomusicology and studies of creolization processes."—New West Indian Guide

"To understand Tambú is to understand Caribbean music."—Donald Hill, SUNY–Oneonta

"Examines the practice of Tambú that is associated with the syncretic religious tradition of Montamentu using memory as a framing device for understanding the African-derived cultural values, musical expressions, and socio-politically resistant behaviors against dominant European-based ideals of acceptability."—Michael Largey, Michigan State University

From the Publisher

Overall, this volume in Indiana UniversityPress's Ethnomusicology Multimedia series is an important contribution to Caribbean ethnomusicology and studies of creolization processes.

New West Indian Guide

In addition to its ample contribution to scholarship on the Caribbean and its musical practices, colonial-, and post-colonial histories, de Jong makes valuable contributions to a number of scholarly literatures concerned with Afro-Caribbean performance practices.

The World of Music

De Jong emphasizes 'tambu's' role as a medium of memory, cultural and political commentary, and commemorative history.Fall / Winter 2015

Latin American Music Review