The Inventory Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in the Netherlands contains ICH of which the communities, groups or individuals involved have written a safeguarding plan. Those plans are reviewed by an independent review committee. Every three years an evaluation of the safeguarding takes place.

Description

Kaha di òrgel is a musical instrument that is somewhere between a cylinder piano and an organ. It consists of a wooden (sound) box with a turning cylinder in it, on which pieces of music have been put, and a crank to make the cylinder move. Besides this, Kaha di òrgel is also an ensemble, which comprises, next to the instrument, a wiri player and a dance couple. The wiri is a metal tube with ridges, which makes a rhythmic sound when one rasps the ridges with a stick. The Kaha di òrgel mainly plays dance music like the waltz and the mazurka, but also tumba and polka. There are usually maximum eight pieces of music on a cylinder. The dance couple wears European-style, mostly long clothing, although this is currently changing. Sometimes shorter skirts and colourful patterns can be seen. The Kaha di òrgel is commonly played at semi-formal occasions, like communions and receptions, but it can also be heard at family parties or sometimes on a square.

 

Community

In the Netherlands the tradition is there to stay, under the diaspora, and the typical sound is immediately recognised when the music begins. It used to be something for the wealthy, but now everyone dances to the music of the òrgel. Public is nearly always present when the instrument is played. The players and dancers are part of the community, just like the makers of the clothing and the headwear. For maintenance of the wooden casing, the tuning and putting the musical pieces on the cylinder and tuning them on the right sound and rhythm, the knowledge and skills of the experts on Curacao and Aruba is asked from the Netherlands.

 

History

At the end of the nineteenth century – when Mr. Sprock had become acquainted with it in Venezuela – the first organ was built by him on Curacao. From Curacao the instrument became known on Aruba and Bonaire. After initial success, the interest lowered until a revival came on Aruba, halfway the twentieth century. Over the years, this tradition was taken to the Netherlands, where the tradition of playing the instrument was actively picked up. Some players tour through the country to perform shows. On Bonaire it was a tradition, though at the moment this is hardly actively experienced on the island. In the meantime the Aruban Kaha di òrgel-variety has become a bit quicker than the one from Curacao.

 

Safeguarding

2022-2024

  • Pass on the knowledge gained from Aruba in the Netherlands in the form of a course and workshops to make, mark and play a cylinder role on the kaha di organ.
  • Finish a documentary about kaha di organ in the Netherlands.
  • Collaborate with other groups that play organs.
  • Actively recruit new board members.
  • Build ties with the other practitioners on the islands.
  • Think how we can approach and keep young people.
  • Aquire better knowledge of fundraising

 

Contact

Stichting SPLIKA
Postbus 18799
2502ET
's-Gravenhage
Zuid-Holland
Website