The island has statues everyone wants to hug

In many places, standards of beauty are given based on the standards of supermodels or beauty queens. But in Curacao, an island located in the Caribbean Sea, people celebrate a different beauty. It is the kindness and warmth of mothers and big sisters in the family, along with a large and steady body. Visitors can find statues called Mama and Chichi placed around the island, from the squares, outside the hotel to unknown locations.

Mama (mother) and Chichi (older sister) are affectionate, friendly, brightly colored. These statues are usually carved with arms outstretched or interlaced, contemplative and quiet. Regardless of the position, these statues give viewers a feeling of welcome, or dear, warm motherly love. Many of the statues can be up to 2 meters tall, and many visitors, when they see it for the first time, want to rush over and hug Mama or Chichi to take pictures.

Statues like these have become iconic, positively celebrating the female body. It is like a reminder that the women here appear beautiful and warm with healthy bodies and kind hearts.

One of the most famous, visited and photographed Mamas is located on a sunny hillside in the Otrobanda district of Willemstad. This is the work of sculptor Hortence Brown. With a height and width of nearly 2 meters, Mama sits serenely on top of a small cliff, under a tree with bright red bougainvillea flowers. She is adorned with a vibrant, red dress and a saffron-colored head scarf. Mama clasped her hands together, looked out at Sint Anna Bay and waited patiently for her loved ones to return.

Brouwn is 84 years old, started sculpting at the age of 17 and is a sculptor specializing in the human form. The inspiration for Brown to create Mama appeared 35 years ago, after observing Curacao mothers across the island often sitting in one place, enjoying a long day while waiting for their children to return from school. Today, Brouwn’s sculptures can be found all over the world, but most are still on this island in the Caribbean.

Many Curacao people, as well as tourists, say they see their loved ones in the statues. Brouwn said: “I was looking out from the kitchen one day. A man came in, sat down and talked to my Mama. Since then, I’ve noticed that many people like to sit next to them, even at the table. sometimes converse with those sculptures”.

Like Brown, Serena Israel is a German sculptor who has lived in Curacao for 21 years. She specializes in creating works about Chichi – the image of the eldest (big sister) in the family. “Chichi is not just the eldest sister. They are the pride and heritage of Curacao. During the first world war, Chichi was often the one who stood up to worry about the housework because men went to war, their mothers had to work. make money. Chichi becomes the breadwinner of the family.” At that time, the older sisters in the family were called Chichi, as a way of showing respect.

Israel has been making small Chichi figures out of paper mache and sold to tourists as souvenirs for 14 years now. Demand was increasing day by day, she set up a factory. Here, visitors can visit and see first-hand how Israel makes the Chichi. She also makes large Chichi statues to honor their importance in the island’s culture.

Angelique Martina, an artist who lives on the island, said: “For me, Chichi are strong, smart, hardworking women who take care of their children and take care of everything. They are wonderful people.” .

Mama, Chichi are carved with all shapes, sizes, colors and always show happiness. “Recently there are many projects that speak out about loving and cherishing the body, whether fat or thin. The statues also help to prove to people around the world that body shape is not related to the soul. “Whether you’re thin or fat, tall or short, doesn’t determine if you’re a happy person,” Martina said.

Mr. Minh (According to Curacao Activities)