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Diorama of a Du, a Dance Celebration on the Plantation
Gerrit Schouten (1779–1839), wood, paper, glass, 1830
In progress in the dance tent is a du, a type of role-play with music and dance that was held on the plantations. Both the performers and the spectators were people held in slavery. The lead role was reserved for the afrankeri, the narrator (the woman on the far left). The man in the red suit on the right portrays the colonial authority. During the annual du, enslaved people could give vent to their criticism of this authority or organize resistance in their own language, Sranan Tongo.
- Object numberNG-2005-24
- Dimensions61 cm x 69.8 cm x 17.1 cm x 21.3 cm x 50.5 cm x 59.4 cm