Economic factors such as soaring unemployment rates and a rising cost of living have led to waves of social unrest in Curacao. In the pre-industrial phase, the woman was regarded as responsible for the preparation of food and the bearing of children. This was distinctly seen through an intensive visit to one of the local places on the island “Kas Di Pali Maishi”. Women still prepare a traditional kind of bread, where history is brought back through the old pots and wood oven.

It is not a case of attracting wide publicity here for the place itself. I am putting my observations down in writing for a better understanding of what lies beyond the making of the bread.

By freedom of choice as a legitimate right for thinking and practice, these women are struggling to join the industrial labor force out of economic necessity. This simple salient culture is an emancipatory tool to improve their socio- economic lives.

From their limited perspective, they believe that there is a need for a greater inclusion in the job market to foster female entrepreneurship. Funds are scarce and volunteers are assisting them during the visit hours.

I believe that they are the key partners in national growth, their participation in the economy could help promote sustainable development. Empowerment or emancipation, which one is required to boost their entrepreneurial activities and economic independence? I can perceive that both complete one another. Without empowerment, no woman can get engaged in the emancipation process to unleash the available potentialities to make a change. Women must be able to make strategic life choices to become free from old customs and social limitations. This freedom shall pave the way to gain access and control of all forms of resources on the island.

“She is making a simple bread out of primordial ingredients”, added one of the women participating in the workshop. I thought about how we can move from a simple idea like baking bread to a broader motto. She must become inclusive in the totality of social and economic changes to achieve full and equal human rights. She is afraid to lose this local tradition. Without proper funds and government support to ensure an environment free from all forms of oppression, she will not be able to pass it on from a generation to another.

Let us stay optimistic about the role women must be mobilized to play, squarely those who have effectively turned their sufferings into joy.

 Using a towel or newspaper nowadays is a great option to handle a cactus. In the olden days, women used a pair of wooden tools that they named the “Chi” and the “Cha” (Kas Di Pali Maishi)! The first represent the woman and the second the man. One of the tools cannot function without the other! What is right or prudent from this story, is the unity of men and women to have the mutual and correct attitude to start breaking the manacles around their ankles! Power should be understood as an act, where a woman is an independent phenomenon vital for the social production side by side with the man. © ReinaSankari 2020

Cheers

Twitter: @Reina Sankari