Signs of History: Slave Huts - Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands

Slave Huts

Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands

N 12° 03.458 W 068° 16.840

Short Description:

Slave huts are located on the southeast coast of Bonaire south of the salt ponds of Cargill Salt Inc. salt production facility.

Long Description:

During the time of slavery slaves would sleep in these two rows of huts while they were working the salt ponds. Each Friday afternoon the slaves walked seven hours from these slave huts to the town of Rincon to spend the weekend with their families. They returning each Sunday.

A mounted aluminum sign among the slave huts provides the history of these slave huts and their importance to salt production in Bonaire during the 19th century.

The sign is inscribed in Papiamentu and English. The English version is inscribed:
                                 
                                           SLAVE HUTS

THESE HUTS WERE CONSTRUCTED IN 1850 DURING THE 
SLAVE TIME AND SERVED AS CAMPING FACILITIES FOR SLAVES
WORKING IN THESE SALT PONDS TO COLLECT AND SHIP THE SALT,
ONE OF BONAIRE'S MOST IMPORTANT EXPORT PRODUCTS. THESE HUTS
WERE USED AS SLEEPING QUARTERS AND A PLACE TO PUT AWAY
PERSONAL BELONGINGS OF THE WORKING TEAMS.