In 2014 biologist Gerard van Buurt published this much coveted book on Curaçao. In it two (2) articles which were published previously by FPI (Fundashon Planifikashon di Idioma) and UNA (then University of the Netherlands Antilles) are reissued with many illustrations and with two maps added. The list of references for each article has been combined into one listing. The 2009 article on the Caquetío Indians has been revised somewhat, there are some additions; it is thus not identical to the previous version. The 2012 article also has some new entries and additional information was added to some of the entries.
The references to the original articles are:
- van Buurt G., 2009. Caquetío Indians on Curaçao during colonial times and Caquetío words in the Papiamentu language. In: Leeward voices; Fresh perspectives on Papiamentu and the Literatures and Cultures of the ABC islands. Nicholas Faraclas, Ronald Severing, Christa Weijer & Liesbeth Echteld (Eds.) Proceedings of the ECICC- conference, Curaçao, 2008, Volume I, pp. 57- 82. FPI/UNA Curaçao.
- van Buurt G., 2012. Some names of Animals and plants in Papiamentu. In: Multiplex Cultures and citizenships, Multiple Perspectives on Language, Literature, Education, and Society in the ABC- Islands and beyond. Nicholas Faraclas, Ronald Severing, Christa Weijer & Liesbeth Echteld (Eds.) Proceedings of the ECICC-conference, Guyana (in error; should be Grenada) 2011, Volume I, pp. 193-215, FPI/UNA, Curaçao/Puerto Rico.
This superbly researched book represents a welcome and ground-breaking contribution, not only to our knowledge about the flora and fauna of Curaçao and the rest of the former Dutch Leeward Islands, but also about the presence of indigenous peoples such as the Caquetío on these and other islands after colonization and the significant role that they played in forging the creolized languages and cultures of the colonial Caribbean. This work includes a substantial inventory of terms referring to the animal and plant life of Curaçao.
Prof. Dr. Nicholas Faraclas
University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras