What happens when a society is taught to turn away from the land that once sustained it? In this episode, we explore how Curaçao’s relationship with nature, agriculture, and labor was fundamentally reshaped after the abolition of slavery on July 1, 1863. As industrialization and wage labor gradually replaced agricultural livelihoods, profound cultural shifts followed. This week's guests: Cindy Eman: is a member of the core team behind the Farm to Crafts project, where her passions for science, nature, sustainability, and agriculture come together. She leads the project’s environmental and scientific components, helping bridge traditional knowledge with contemporary research. Her work includes developing and overseeing experiments with botanical dyes made from locally grown plants, while also contributing to the conservation and cultivation of Curaçao’s native species, including indigo, dushi kabei, and brasia. Through guided nature walks, Cindy introduces participants to the island’s unique flora and shares the rich history of traditional indigo production, including the historic indigo vats found at Malpais. Rose Mary Allen: is one of Curaçao’s leading cultural anthropologists, whose research has focused extensively on the history of slavery, emancipation, and post-emancipation society on the island. Throughout her career, she has documented the lived experiences, resilience, and cultural heritage of Afro-Curaçaoans, challenging dominant historical narratives and bringing overlooked stories to light. In this conversation, she places Curaçao’s relationship with nature into its broader historical context, dispelling long-held myths while recovering valuable knowledge that has gradually faded from collective memory. Together, Cindy and Rose Mary reveal how history continues to shape the way we think about nature, agriculture, and the environment today. They challenge assumptions about weeds, gardens, and cultivation, reminding us that a healthy landscape does not have to be stripped of greenery or covered in concrete. Instead, they invite us to rethink our relationship with the natural world and rediscover the wisdom that has always been present in Curaçao’s landscape. Connect with Farm to Crafts: https://www.instagram.com/farmtocrafts/ https://www.facebook.com/FarmtoCrafts/ Our quarterly newsletter www.farmtocrafts.com ABOUT Welcome to Farm to Crafts, the podcast exploring a project bridging the gap between Curaçao's farmers, crafters, and designers. Since 2023, this initiative has worked to strengthen the island's agriculture and creative sectors by turning natural fibres into high-quality design products using local techniques. On an island once dismissed as "Isla Inútil," this team challenges that narrative. It's where design, ecology, and community meet. In this 5-part series, host Nelly Rosa takes you behind the scenes of this local creative experiment, using the land for new perspectives.
