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

Tambu is a collective name for various elements of a tradition that originates from the Netherlands Antilles and is now maintained also in the Netherlands. Tambu is primarily the name of a drum. Making a tambu belongs to the tradition. Furthermore Tambu is also the name of the music genre, the dance, the associated singing and the feast during which these elements are performed. There are, however, different elements in the Tambu on the various islands. The tambu as a major instrument is accompanied by music made with a wiri, a chapi, an agan and a triangle. On these metal instruments, often parts of agricultural tools, the rhythm is struck with a metal stick. Bystanders accompany the dance by clapping their hands. Moreover, there is a male of female lead singer and a choir that answers to what is sung, or repeats it. On the Antilles, Tambu is often celebrated in between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. In the Netherlands Tambu-evenings are organised throughout the year in Rotterdam.

 

Community

The community consists primarily of groups of musicians, singers and dancers. For the time being the makers of the tambu instrument are still all living on the Antilles. The community from Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao in the Netherlands, young and old, attends the Tambu festivals. At the same time there is a growing group of non-Antilleans who can be included in the Tambu community.

 

History

As of 1665 slaves from Africa arrived at Curacao, taking their music and dance with them. In the course of the sixteenth and seventeenth century Tambu developed out of various West-African dances, music and rituals. The Tambu arose at Curacao as ritual music and a means of communication. The custom spread from Curacao to Aruba and Bonaire. On Bonaire the drum is also known as barí. On Aruba the tambu is used as a musical instruments during the Dande celebration, shortly before New Year’s Eve. The Tambu was originally made from a keg that had been used for transporting foodstuff overseas. A goat or sheepskin was stretched over the keg. The Tambu songs once sung about the abuses on the plantations and all kinds of emotions. In the twentieth century they also covered political and everyday events. Momentarily all kinds of subjects are sung. Couples dancing Tambu are not allowed to touch each other, but they dance close to one another. The Tambu was rejected by the church, the music as well as the dance. Between 1936 and 1952 Tambu music, dance and festivities were even prohibited. In spite of this ban it was done in secret. After 1952 the ban was eased and as of 2012 Tambu celebrations have been allowed everywhere again. Emigrants going to the Netherlands have taken the Tambu custom with them. Now integration with other traditional music groups is taking place. One celebrates Tambu throughout the year in roofed halls instead of in the open air and the code of conduct of the dance is loosened.

 

Safeguarding

2022-2024

  • Fill social media with more informative pieces about the Tambu.
  • Tambu exchange, where Tambu practitioners from Curacao come to NL to perform together with practitioner in NL (lectures, workshops, concert).
  • In conversation about possible a workshop playing tambú in collaboration with tambú players from Curacao, transfer of the tradition.
  • Seek cooperation with other cultural groups, which also have a drum as a form of cultural expression (such as Txabeta from cabo verde) and organize an activity together. 
  • Organize a meeting for participants of previous period's safeguarding actions (i.e. making tambu, writing, singing, dancing)
  • Perhaps seek contacts with other museums (World Museum Rotterdam, for example)
  • Search for additional board members via (word of mouth) and vacancy on Facebook. 
  • Seek help with applying for a grant.

Contact

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