What really struck us during the 100 Opheto workshops was the involvement people already had in transmitting history to future generations. Participant Arjan even started his own museum, solely depending on its own resources, with the help of friends and family.

“I started Museo Labizjan a couple of years ago in Tera Kòrá, in a renovated kunuku house right next to my own house. I had collected some historical objects and wanted to show them to the public. Friends and acquaintances who heard about my new project were quick to donate or sell their own objects to me. I am mostly interested in objects that have to do with everyday life: things that people used in and around the house.”

“I got this pungu from a friend who also lives in Bandabou. Not many people in Curaçao know the word pungu, it’s probably very old, to me it sounds really African. In modern Papiamentu we call this object flambeu which means torch. The pungu was made by taking a long metal pipe, flattening one of the ends and then putting one in every corner of the garden for protection. They were used until electricity became common in the 20th century.”

“People who are interested can visit my museum on weekdays. I am usually not there. I work as a pipefitter and am mostly in Bandariba during working hours. We don’t charge visitors but they can leave a donation if they want. We use the money to improve the museum and buy more objects.”