Bonaire’s “red slaves” were African slaves who worked under harsh conditions in the salt pans, distinguished by their red-colored clothing. A memorial is at the slave houses and now also a challenging dive site.
Red slave an important piece of Bonaire’s history.
The history of Bonaire’s red slaves is a lesser-known but important aspect of the Caribbean colonial past. This term refers to the African slaves who worked in Bonaire’s salt pans, where they had to extract salt under extremely harsh conditions. The name “red slave” comes from the red-colored clothing they wore, which distinguished them from other slaves on the island. The salt pans, essential for food preservation at the time, were a source of great economic importance. However, the human cost was significant, with slaves suffering brutal working conditions, poor nutrition, and disease. A memorial to this history is located at the slave houses, and red slave is now also a challenging dive site suitable only for experienced divers. The currents can be very strong and treacherous.
Casper Douma Photography
“Bon dia tur hende i bon bini na dushi Boneiru!”
My name is Casper Douma and I am a photographer. Since 2014 I’ve been living on this beautiful island, surrounded by a fringing reef. At first glance, you may see mostly cacti and drought, but Bonaire is a little gem if you get to know it better. I would like to take you on one of my photography tours to show you all the special places of Bonaire. In small groups of maximum 4 people I give you a unique look at the beauty of Bonaire. Became curious? Take a look at my website! I wish you a lot of fun on beautiful Bonaire.