Slave Shacks

Most of the Bonaire natives are mulato descendents of the Dutch colonists and their black slaves. I didn't notice many folks who looked mestizo or sambo. I don't know if the Dutch killed off all the indigenous people or I just don't know what the indigenous people look like.

The African slaves were brought to Bonaire to work the salt operation, today owned by Cargill. On the beach between the salt evaporation ponds and the Carribean Sea are little shacks, houses for the slaves. The structures are about 6' x 6' and have a little door hole facing the sea and a little window hole facing the evaporation ponds.

I'm glad the Dutch and the people of Bonaire did not demolish the slave shacks. They are quite the startling reminder.