Bonaire has many traditions that are part of our culture and identity. To protect these traditions, an inventory has been compiled listing 31 elements of Bonaire’s intangible cultural heritage. This inventory helps to officially recognize our traditions and preserve them for future generations. On Wednesday, October 14, 2026, the Executive Council decided to submit the inventory to the Island Council for adoption.
The Richness of Bonaire’s Living Heritage
The proposed inventory contains 31 heritage elements, divided into five categories: 1. oral traditions and expressions, 2. artistic expressions, 3. social practices and celebrations, 4. knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe, and 5. traditional craftsmanship.
Examples include songs in Papiamentu, the collections of Bonairean oral history, Simadan, Maskarada, Dia di Rincon, Barí, and the traditions surrounding San Juan and San Pedro. Playing traditional instruments such as the bamba, beku, and karkó is also part of this. In addition, the inventory includes artisanal knowledge, such as building traditional boats and Kas di Bara, making sambarku, and weaving cactus fences.
Why is the inventory important?
Some traditions are still widely practiced on Bonaire, while others are at risk of disappearing. For example, if someone masters a traditional craft but does not pass this knowledge on to others, that knowledge may be lost.
With the inventory, Bonaire can identify which traditions still exist, which are at risk of disappearing, and which require extra attention. This information can
be used to develop activities that document traditions, teach young people about them, and encourage residents to carry them on.
What’s next?
The Executive Council has submitted the inventory to the Island Council for adoption. If the Island Council adopts the inventory, it can serve as a basis for developing measures to preserve and protect Bonaire’s cultural heritage. This aligns with the Bonaire Cultural Agenda 2024–2028 and the Cultural Covenant 2022–2025, which focus on protecting Bonairean culture.
Sharing Responsibility for Our Heritage
The inventory was compiled thanks to the efforts of the UNESCO Bonaire Working Group, FuHiKuBo, heritage custodians, researchers, cultural organizations, and volunteers. The Public Entity of Bonaire (OLB) expresses its appreciation to everyone who contributed to this project.
Parents, grandparents, young people, schools, and cultural organizations all play an important role in preserving and passing on our culture.
Our traditions remain alive when we practice them, share them with one another, and pass them on to future generations.
The OLB invites all residents to discover more about the traditions and customs of our island at www.patrimoniokulturalintangibelboneiru.com.
