How does traditional medicine co-exist next to conventional medicine in the post-colonial Dutch Caribbean?

During this Decolonial Learning Session Durwin Lynch will touch upon inter-and transgenerational traumas of Dutch Caribbean (sub)communities in relation to colonialism, racism and oppression. In his view embracing traditional healing practices, that have in general been kept ‘invisible’ throughout history, might support healing processes of inter and transgenerational trauma. He will focus his talk on exploring the deeper rooted tensions that both support and hinder the coexistence of traditional and conventional Western medicine/healing in the Dutch Caribbean. What are the historical roots of these tensions? To what extent is a potential bridge between traditional and conventional Western medicine/healing desirable and possible?

For the audio recording, click here.

Bio Durwin Lynch:

Durwin Lynch originates from the Dutch Caribbean (born in Surinam, raised on Curacao) and has a strong interest in addressing inter-and transgenerational trauma healing of Dutch Caribbean (sub) communities. He works as a PhD Researcher on the topic of ‘Public Engagement in Science’ at the Athena Institute Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and is the Program Coordinator of the Master Management, Policy Analysis and Entrepreneurship in the Health and Life Sciences.

Additional reading:

> Advances and Challenges in Safeguarding Traditional Medicine in Curaçao,  in Traditional Medicine: Sharing Experiences from the Field, by R. Ansano, 2019. Click here.

> Hende a Hasi Malu Pé: Popular Psychiatric beliefs in Curacaoan Culture, by R. M. Allen, 2005. Click here.

> Traditional healing practices originating in Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao: A review of the literature on psychiatry and Brua, in Transcultural psychiatry, 52(6), 2015. J Blom et al. Click here.

> Interview with Kevin Osepa – The Curaçao Artist Exploring Afro-Caribbean Spiritual Culture. Click here.

Colonial politics and practices of the Netherlands on Bonaire and other Caribbean islands.

In this learning session, Kjelld Kroon will share with us how Bonaire experiences colonial politics from the European Netherlands in the 21st century. Leading to the questions: How can it be that the Netherlands that speaks so much of human rights and equality is violating these principles so systematically in the so called ‘Dutch Caribbean’? How can colonialism have ended when there are ‘oversea territories’ and can there be such a thing as ‘fair’ dependency?

For the audio recording, click here.

Bio Kjelld Kroon:

Kjelld Kroon comes from Rincon/Bonaire and studies in Leiden. He is an activist for Bonaire’s political rights and did an internship at Human Rights Bonaire in 2021. As a philosophy student; Global and comparative perspectives (Leiden) he specializes in decolonial and political philosophy.

Further reading material:

> The Dutch Caribbean Municipalities in Comparative Perspective by Wouter Veenendaal, In Island Studies Journal, Vol. 10 No.1, 2015. Click here.

> Bonaire’s Green Paper: Re-listing Bonaire on the United Nations’ List of Non-Self-Governing Territories, Foundation Nos Kier Boneiru Bek, Bonaire, 2017. Click here.

> Decolonising the Caribbean Dutch Policies in a Comparative Perspective by Inge Klinkers & Gert Oostindie. Click here.
> Political decolonization and self-determination : the case of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba . Click here.
> “Zo wordt ongelijkheid tussen Europees en Caribisch Nederland al jaren in stand gehouden” Click here