English
The Netherlands Antilles is home to people of various origins, who have built a society with their own values and standards. The inhabitants of the Netherlands Antilles may at first appear somewhat withdrawn. Once you get to know them better and really communicate with them, you will soon notice that the inhabitants are very friendly and helpful, of course with their own habits and customs. They are all very relaxed people, so they take it easy. If you adapt to this rhythm, you will certainly keep them happy. Family is very important, so they often have a strong bond with their loved ones, and there is a deep respect for the environment and nature.
On the islands of the Netherlands Antilles, you will come across a wide variety of cultures, with the culture that predominates being the African culture. This can be heard in the music style and the unique dances which you will not easily see anywhere else. The Netherlands Antilles show their mix of cultures in these dances and the music style. You can see the African and European traditions in these dance styles. The music in the Netherlands Antilles is characterised by a clear and varied rhythm, which is created by clapping and not by drums.
In the Netherlands Antilles, it is party time almost throughout the year. All the holidays, festivals and carnivals on all the islands add up to this.
A large majority of the inhabitants of the Netherlands Antilles are Catholic. Religious holidays, such as Easter or Ascension, are therefore celebrated. Each island in the Netherlands Antilles also has its own 'day', on which the surrounding islands congratulate the island.
On the first day of the new year, a big colourful carnival starts in Curacao. During this two-month festival, there are many different performances and festive parades. The festival ends in early March, on Ash Wednesday. The Tumba Festival is held a few days before Ash Wednesday. Musicians from different countries compete for the right to sing the main song of carnival. The jazz festival in May and the various regattas, which are famous around the world, make Curaçao a festival-rich island.
As well as regular regattas, the island of Sint Maarten has its own carnival. Carnival on Sint Maarten lasts three weeks and starts the second week after Easter. Another typical holiday for the island of Saint Martin is Saint Martin. This celebration takes place in mid-November.
During Carnival on Bonaire, there is room for performances by all the music and dance groups on the island. Carnival is celebrated here in honour of the Day of Worship. From 1 to 6 January, the masquerade, a cheerful and colourful festival of masks with theatre, music and dance spectacles, is held on Bonaire.
Carnival on St. Eustatius takes place in mid-July and is the most important holiday for the local population. St Eustatius also has the 'America's Day', which takes place on 16 November and celebrates independence.
Carnival begins on Saba at the end of July and is characterised by the fireworks festival on the last day.
By knowing the culture, the customs, the habits and the values of the inhabitants of the Netherlands Antilles, you will build up respect within the society. Besides this cultural information, we would like to give some information about the language, the currency, the climate and the time difference of the Netherlands Antilles.
On the Netherlands Antilles the official languages are Dutch, English and Papiamento. On Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten and Saba, English is the main language spoken. On Curaçao and Bonaire, Dutch, English and Papiamentu are spoken.
On St Maarten and Curaçao, payment is in the Antillean guilder. On Saba, Bonaire and St. Eustatius, payment is in US dollars.
The Netherlands Antilles has a tropical climate, it is 25 to 30 degrees all year round. However, you may sometimes have to deal with short and heavy rain showers.
There is no summer time or winter time in the Netherlands Antilles. In summer time it is 6 hours earlier on the Netherlands Antilles and in winter time 5 hours earlier.
The local inhabitants of the Netherlands Antilles are very friendly and helpful. They will always be happy to help you when you are in doubt about certain customs. Would you like more information about the customs on the Netherlands Antilles, do you have any questions or would you like to know what you should or should not do in order to settle on the Netherlands Antilles, the advisors of Nacas will be pleased to help you.
