Montamentu Explained

Montamentu is an African Caribbean^[1] ecstatic religion found in Curaçao.^[2] Precursors or earlier forms may be seen in ancestor veneration in the 18th century^[3] and a 1788 court case in which religionists were condemned by the colonial court for practicing the religion as an act of "lying to the bystanders".^[4] In the 1950s a new wave came about, introduced by migrants from the Dominican Republic.^[5] As with most African diaspora religions from the colonial and slavery era, Montamentu is a syncretic religion. Roman Catholic, African and Native American, as well as some Asian deities are revered.^[6]

Montamentu is accompanied by music. In some cases by tambú drumming, although this is a misnomer. Tambú, proper, is the drum, rhythms, music event, dancing and singing combined in a festive, non-religious setting. Also: in some ceremonies the music is provided by musical records from Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti or Venezuela. Sometimes there is chanting without drums.^[7]

Notes and References

1. Book: de Jong, Nanette . Tambú: Curaçao's African-Caribbean Ritual and the Politics of Memory. Indiana University Press. 2012. 17, 24. 978-0253356543 .
2. Encyclopedia: Encyclopedia of Global Religion. Curaçao. Mark . Juergensmeyer . Wade Clark . Roof . John . Soboslai. 2012 . 10.4135/9781412997898 . 9780761927297 . SAGE Publications, Inc..
3. Jordaan, H. (2013). Slavernij en vrijheid op Curaçao: De dynamiek van een achttiende-eeuws Atlantisch handelsknooppunt. Zutphen: Walburg Pers: 187
4. Rutten, A. M. G. (2003). Magische kruiden in de Antilliaanse folklore: Etnofarmacologie van het Caribisch gebied. Rotterdam: Erasmus: 91-93.
5. Bernadina, F. M. (1981). Montamentoe: een beschrijvende en analyserende studie van een Afro-Amerikaanse godsdienst op Curaçao: 22
6. Web site: Culture of Netherlands Antilles. EveryCulture.com . 15 September 2015.
7. Bernadina, F. M. (1981). Montamentoe: een beschrijvende en analyserende studie van een Afro-Amerikaanse godsdienst op Curaçao: 21