Page 225 - The Dutch Caribbean Isles

In 1732 the Dutch West India Company granted private mer-
chants the right to participate in the slave trade. During the
slave trade, the Papiamentu language took form.

C uraçao became involved in the slave trade in established an uprising against their masters, but
1639 when the Dutch West India Company the slave population on Curaçao peaked at 12,804
requested to import slaves from Africa. Dutch in 1789. In 1795, a major slave revolt took place un-

West India Company commenced in slave trading der the lead of Tula Rigaud, Louis Mercier, Bastian

in 1662 for the first time in the history of Curacao, Karpata, and Pedro Wakao. Up to 4000 slaves on

making Curacao the center of the Atlantic Slave the northwest section of the island revolted. Over

trade. In 1665 the first slaves in the history of Cu- a thousand of the slaves were involved in heavy

racao set foot on land and in no time they turned gunfights. After a month, the slave owners sup-

out to be responsible for the biggest source of pressed the revolt.

income on Curacao because of the work they did Many Dutch colonists grew affluent from the
on the plantations and because of the profit the slave trade, and the city built impressive
Dutch made on selling them. In 1732, the Dutch

West India Company granted private merchants colonial buildings. Curaçao architecture blends

the right to participate in the slave trade. During Dutch and Spanish colonial styles. The wide range

the slave trade, the Papiamento language took of historic buildings in and around Willemstad

form. This dialect is a mixture of Portuguese, Span- has resulted in the capital being designated as a

ish, Dutch, and African languages, and was the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Landhouses (former

primary means of communication between slaves plantation estates) and West African style kas di

and slave owners. The slaves endured harsh treat- pal’i maishi (former slave dwellings) are scattered

ment and inhumane living conditions on Curaçao. all over the island. Some have been restored and

From 1750 to 1751, the slaves at Hato Plantation can be visited.