MP Maduro highlights cultural significance of Bob Harms' book Echoes of Africa

ORANJESTAD — Member of Parliament Xiomara Maduro emphasized the importance of documenting and preserving Aruba's cultural heritage during the presentation of Echoes of Africa, a book by author Bob Harms, at the National Archives of Aruba.

The book explores the influence of Afro-Creole spiritual traditions on the cultural identities of Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, highlighting ancestral beliefs and customs that have often received limited recognition.

Among the traditions examined are traditional healing, medicinal plants, funeral rituals and the Ocho Dia mourning tradition. The research illustrates how Indigenous, African and European influences have shaped the islands' cultural identities.

“If we fail to document these traditions, we risk losing an important part of our identity,” Maduro stated.

According to the parliamentarian, cultural research is essential to preserving collective memory and helping future generations understand their history.

Maduro congratulated Harms on his contribution, stressing that culture must not only be lived but also documented for future generations.