Curacao writer, sculptor and artist Elis Juliana's poetry blends the intrinsic rhythmic and tonal aspects of the Papiamentu language as he depicts the Afro-Caribbean lifestyles of his people with the traditional form of Japanese haiku. Juliana reveals the vitality of his native language Papiamentu with short and swift flashes of intense impressions and potent ideas in his writing. With humor he typifies the character and individuality of the Antillean. The volume will be of interest to scholars of Creole languages, readers interested in the Caribbean literary/socio-cultural scene, and students of translation and poetry. This publication was made possible by a grant from the Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds Nederlandse Antillen en Aruba.

Translated by: Helene Garrett