ICH DOMAIN (3) SOCIAL PRACTICES, RITUALS, AND FESTIVE EVENTS

Celebrations and activities that are held throughout the year and practiced by many residents/citizens.

Held annually after the lent season in April. It is a time of public revelry and celebration involving colorful children and adult parades, music, dancing, and shows.

Celebrated annually on November 11th. Governments of the French and Dutch sides alternate each year to host a number of festivities, including swim races, kite-making competitions, dominoes tournaments, cultural parades, traditional food/drink sales, and cook-offs. The colors of the St. Maarten flag—red, white, and blue—are widely decorated around the island and worn by people to commemorate this national event.

The Christmas celebrations are usually observed from around December 1 to January 1. During the season, several parties are held, and Philipsburg (capital) is bustling with shoppers and shopping. Christmas trees and lights are widely purchased and homes are decorated inside and outside. Specific foods/drinks are made during this time, and gifts are exchanged among families, friends, and colleagues.  Boxing Day, an official holiday after Christmas, is used to continue the Christmas celebration or for leisure time or rest

During Old Year’s, several people attend church and/or gather in the main town of Philipsburg and other villages such as Maho to watch fireworks at midnight. Well wishes are exchanged, and several parties are held after the fireworks display.

On Ash Wednesday the cross of ashes is placed on the foreheads of Roman Catholics. During the Easter season, churches hold Palm Sunday parades, give out palms, and make crosses out of palms. In addition, during the Easter weekend, there are beach picnics, camping, egg hunts, and avoidance of meat on Good Friday.

Secular or non-secular routines/methods widely practiced among families and individuals throughout their lives

A religious ceremony where a baby has water poured on him/her to symbolize initiation into the Christian faith

A religious ceremony where adults are immersed into water or sprinkled with water, symbolizing purification or regeneration and admission to the Christian church

Rituals are performed to protect babies and ensure their healthy upbringing.

-Placing of an open Bible in the baby’s cradle, sometimes with scissors placed on the Bible for God’s protection.

-Passing the baby over the coffin of a close relative who has passed on so that the person’s spirit does not harm the baby.

Young man asking the father of a young woman permission to date her.

A ceremony in which two people get married.

The wake is a social gathering associated with death and held before burial. Traditionally held at the deceased person’s home, more and more it is being held at a funeral parlor or public space. A funeral is a ceremony connected with the burial, interment, or cremation of a deceased person.

Throwing all funeral ribbons and personal items in the coffin; throwing dust on the closed coffin.

Holy Communion is an important religious service in the Christian church in which  bread and wine are consecrated and shared as a symbol of the Last Supper and the death of Christ.

First Communion is a ceremony in some Christian traditions/churches during which a person first receives the Eucharist, also called Holy Communion or the Lord's Supper. In churches that celebrate First Communion, it occurs only after receiving of Baptism, and once the person has reached the age of reason (between seven and thirteen), often acting as a rite of passage. For Catholics, Holy Communion is the third of seven sacraments received.

Confirmation is seen as the sealing of Christianity created in baptism. It is a ceremony in which a baptized person, especially one baptized as an infant, affirms Christian belief and is admitted as a full member of the Roman Catholic church.

A traditional gathering of people to help build a house, well, or fence and at which food is served as compensation.

Sports and hobbies widely practiced and taught throughout the country for leisure, physical activity and/or pleasure. 

To produce a high-pitched sound or a clear musical sound by forcing air through a small hole between one's lips or teeth. It is usually done for recreational purposes.

An indoor/outdoor team sport played on a (18 by 9 meters) court and involving hitting a ball over a net with the objective to score by getting the ball to fall on the opponent’s court. In St. Maarten it is played indoors and on the beach.

An outdoor bat and ball sport played on a field with a 22-meter pitch at the center and a wicket, made of bails and stumps, at each end. The two teams either bat first or last to make all their rounds at that time.

An outdoor bat and ball sport, similar to baseball, but played on a smaller field with a softer ball. In St. Maarten, it is currently played at the John Cooper/Jose Lake Sr. Ballpark.

A bat and ball game played between two teams of nine, taking turns to bat during nine innings. The field comprises a diamond shaped circuit of four bases, which the player must pass in order to score points.

An outdoor sport played on a field with two teams of eleven players attempting to kick a ball into a net on the opposite side of the field. It is also played indoors but with six players on each team. 

An indoor/outdoor game played by two teams of five players. Goals are scored by throwing a ball through a netted hoop fixed above each end of the court. A court can be found in virtually every district in St. Maarten where one can find teams of two, three, or one-on-one.

An activity that requires the use of one’s arms and legs to move the body through water. There are swimming clubs that teach old and young to swim. Talented swimmers are coached and represent the island in national and international competitions. Others are self-taught from going to the beach. Swimming lessons are mandatory in primary schools (third grade).

An activity of catching fish either for sport or for food. Traditionally, men go out at sea in their fishing boats and fish with home-made nets.  The catch of the day is sold—traditionally on a string—to the islanders. Others fish from ashore using a round wooden block with fish line, lead, and bait or with fish pots. Lobsters are caught in shallow areas in fish- or lobster traps. Today, it is more popular for people to fish with modern fishing rods, and many do it merely as a pastime.  

The picking of whelks or sea snails from the rocks. They are usually prepared in boiled seawater.

A sport involving the racing of boats. Traditionally it was a competition among local owners of fishing boats, but over the years, it has increased in number of participants and different types of sailing boats, becoming popular during special island holidays and internationally famous with the annually organized Heineken Regatta.

A sport or activity of riding a bicycle. In the past racing was mainly part of special festivities, but lately cycling is increasing in popularity with the increase in bike owners, who hold competitions at regular times and events.

A sport in which horses and their riders take part in races. Horse and donkey racing was popular in the old times when most households had one of those noble animals. Nowadays, there are some parks where visitors and locals can take lessons or go on excursions in remote areas or swim with the horses in the sea.

A strategic game played with a maximum of 4 persons and involving 28 rectangular domino tiles, each with a line dividing it into two squares that are numbered with zero to six dots. The game is highly popular, especially among males but females also participate. Domino tournaments are held throughout the year.

A popular game that is played by all ages and families using a set of playing cards. Popular card games on St. Maarten are Romie 500, poker, I declare war…

A game played by persons of all ages that involves the movement of pieces on a board such as chess, Chinese checkers, or checkers.

A blood sport of setting two game cocks to fight each other, held in a ring called a cockpit. This practice continues to be done in secret.

Once a year, goats of different breeds are showcased to the public and jury at Colombier in the North (French territory) for being the best on the island. Participants from both the Northern and Southern sides of the island enter their rams and compete in this event.

An informal system of saving and collecting money in a savings club or partnership.  Each month, one person in the group collects the sum of money put into the group by the partners.

Plaiting—The practice of joining three or more strands of hair by weaving them over each other in a special pattern;

Ginnying—Plaiting the hair close to the head in thin rows;

Braiding—The use of store-bought hair that is added to one’s hair in a plaited pattern. Especially schoolgirls’ hair is regularly plaited and styled either at home or in salons.

Games played with minimal equipment, and which children learn by example from each other and play without reference to written rules. They are usually done during school recess and at home, after school, or in the playground.

Players form a ring by holding hands while the person inside the ring starts skipping around to the song being sung by the ones holding hands. Most popular songs include:

- Ring around the Rosie

- Four White Horses up the River

- A Rick Chick Chick (Tamandeh)

- Little Sally Water

- Brown Girl in the Ring

- London Bridge is Falling Down

- Down by the Alley

Hand games, usually non-competitive and generally played between 2 or more persons and accompanied by nursery rhymes/songs. Such as, Four White Houses and Ms. Mary Mack.

Played with six-point spiked jacks which must be picked up before the ball bounces twice. The winner is the first person to complete a prescribed series of throws.

Played with marbles made of plastic or glass, which are placed inside of a circle drawn on the ground at the start of the game. The objective is to knock the marbles out of the circle.

A game in which a player jumps in the rope while it is being turned in a circular motion by two other players holding the rope at the two ends as they chant a rhyme. The jumper must move in, complete the jump, and move out without touching the rope. Players take turns jumping in and out of the rope.

Games where children run away from the person trying to tag them. Once caught and tagged, that person becomes “it” and runs out to tag others as s/he shouts “lalick” (last lick).

One child has to find others who are hiding from him or her. Once a player is found, s/he becomes the one that seeks the others. Mostly played in the neighborhood or school play area.

A game in which a player spins a top with a piece of twine.

A game played by children who throw a stone or other object unto a set of joined squares drawn on the ground. The children jump into the squares either on one or two legs to get the stone or object.

A skipping game played by two or three children with a rope/elastic tied around the ankle of one child while the others jump in and out spelling the word Mississippi.

A game played by twirling a hoop around one’s waist, limbs, or neck.

Making string figures and tricks by manipulating the string with one's fingers or the fingers of other people.  

A game played by throwing yoyo downwards and catching it as it springs back up. Different tricks can be played with the yoyo.

A game in which two people each put a leg in a sack and hop forward together from a starting point to a finish line. Played during special events with the use of potato sacks.

A game played with one person sitting inside and the other pushing the wheelbarrow as fast as possible to the finish line. A variation of the game has one person functioning as the wheelbarrow while the other functions as the driver.

A game in which children have to race to the finish line while holding a spoon with an egg or lime without dropping it.

A race involving participants completing the race with a leg of one runner tied or strapped to that of another runner. The aim is for the pair to run together to the finish line without falling over.

Kites are made from paper and other materials such as tape, ribbon, twine, etc. and taken to a flat area to fly. Usually done around the Easter holidays.

Games enjoyed by both adults and children and involving the use of paper, pencils and pens for entertaining purposes

Pieces of paper are folded in such a way as to make the participant guess what is hidden under the folds to reveal a message.  

Games using paper and pencil/pens: i.e. Tic Tac Toe, Hangman, Connecting the Dots (Squares), doodling ....

Pieces of paper are folded in such a way that they could be used to create objects such as boats, planes, or hats.

The preparation and consumption of locally made cuisine are an integral part of St. Maarten’s history, culture, and identity

Seafood is a regular dish. Fish/shellfish (shrimp, oysters, octopus, mussels, crab…) is caught or bought at the fish market or shop; cleaned with lime or salt; and cooked, boiled, fried, steamed, or made into a soup. Seafood is also prepared and sold during special occasions and barbecue events and usually served with fungi, salads, plantain and/or rice and peas.

Crabs are caught, and the shells are removed and cleaned. The meat is seasoned and stuffed in the shell and served as a dish.

Fish is caught in a net, by line, or in a trap. The scales and the insides are removed. Cuts are made on both sides, especially for frying, and seasoning/

spices added to maximize flavor.

The conch is a large, protected shellfish which can be eaten steamed or preserved in vinegar. The best way to make it tender is in the pressure cooker. Dumplings are made of flour or cornmeal and boiled with the conch.

The fish is cleaned and cut on both sides, then boiled and served with provisions (pumpkin and other root vegetables such as sweet potatoes, yams, eddos, cassava, etc.)

The fish is cleaned and cut on both sides, then boiled and served with provisions (pumpkin and other root vegetables such as sweet potatoes, yams, eddos, cassava, etc.)

Local dishes are usually prepared and served daily. Examples are: rice and peas, fish and dumplings or fungi, stewed goat, chicken, fish, plantain, fried rice, cassava, arrowroot, and soups. There are special occasions where specific dishes are served (i.e. ham during the Christmas season).

Made from salt cod, this is a savory staple dish in St. Maarten cuisine and eaten any time of the day. This is seasoned with minced vegetables and normally served with rice and peas or Johnny cakes or dumplings.

Saltfish is served with dumplings, which are made of flour or cornmeal. Cattle-tongue is a special-sized dumpling shaped like a cow’s tongue.

Rice dishes can be made from different types of rice, along with different types of meat, poultry or seafood, and vegetables.

Made with cooked rice and broth, seasoning (spices), vegetables, and pieces of chicken; a very popular dish among the locals and also called Rice Pilaf or Cook Up.

A rice dish with added peas (can be different types of peas) to the cooked rice and mixed with spices. The rice and peas can also be boiled together to give it a special flavor.

Soak peas overnight until soft then boil on a low temperature. Add salt or other spices.

The soup is usually named after the meat or fish source used.

A rice dish with added peas (can be different types of peas) to the cooked rice and mixed with spices. The rice and peas can also be boiled together to give it a special flavor.

The conch is cleaned and cooked with tomato paste, pumpkin, pimento, veggies, and peppers.

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The oysters are bought fresh and are cleaned and boiled with onion, garlic, and ginger. The soup is made with a creamy or watery consistency.

The pigtail is soaked overnight and boiled at least once before it is combined with peas and other vegetables and spices.

The pigtail is soaked overnight and boiled at least once before it is combined with peas and other vegetables and spices.

This soup is made with goat meat cut into small pieces and boiled with other ingredients and spices until tender; it is served with or without dumplings.

A soup made with a type of locally grown wild spinach and sautéed vegetables, salt, and pepper.

This dish combines yellow corn flour, grated sweet potatoes, pumpkin, coconuts, raisins, margarine, and sugar. Small portions of the mixture are placed in banana leaves, grape leaves, or aluminum foil and then folded, tied, and boiled in water.

Ears of fresh corn are roasted over the fire, in the coal pot, or on the barbeque grill.

These local snacks eaten daily and served at parties and special occasions include croquette, tuna or cheese and crackers, pig-in-a-blanket (sausages rolled in dough), patties, and deviled eggs.

A round bread made of flour, salt, sugar, and baking powder and fried in oil or baked. Widely prepared and eaten throughout the year and particularly during the Carnival season. Available on the menu in most local restaurants and food trucks.

A filling is prepared from either meat, chicken, saltfish, tuna, vegetables, or cheese and placed inside dough, which is then folded and closed at the ends with fingers or fork and then fried or baked.

The saltfish is prepared by mincing it and adding spices, onions, and flour. Then it is shaped into balls, rolled in raw egg and breadcrumbs, and deep-fried.

Tuna fish is prepared with onions, mayonnaise, black pepper, and season salt and mixed together and placed on store-bought crackers. Various cheeses are diced and also placed on the crackers. These snacks are served usually at parties and other special occasions. 

Mini kebabs-The ingredients (olive, onion, sausage, and cheese) are diced and placed on toothpicks.

Kebabs-Pieces of chicken, meat or seafood are marinated and placed on wooden skewers. They can be broiled in the oven or put on the barbecue grill.

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Eggs are boiled, cooled, and peeled. Then the whites are removed from the yolks and the cooked yolks are then mixed with mayonnaise, salt, and pepper to one’s taste. The yolk mixture is squeezed/spooned back unto the egg whites. This is served during special occasions.

Water is boiled and the rice, oats, cornmeal, etc. is added to the pot and then stirred until cooked. During the cooking process, other ingredients such as milk and spices are added

Local sweets are usually prepared at home and sold by vendors in small stores or on the roadside.

Tarts are prepared with filling of locally picked or canned fruits. The delicacies can be ordered from the bakers or bought at stores, in the market, or during festivals.

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Grated coconut is mixed with brown sugar, water, milk, flavor, and coloring. Then it is boiled until syrupy, cooled, and cut in pieces or rolled in balls and sold along the road or at special occasions.

Potatoes/sweet potatoes are grated and mixed with sugar, margarine and grated pumpkin. For the bread pudding, raisins, cinnamon, nutmeg, prunes and rum are usually added.

These are made by using a plain cake recipe with butter, flour, eggs, milk/water, and salt. Fruits of your choice are added and mixed in and the cake is baked in the oven. Fruit and black cakes are mostly prepared during the Holiday season and for weddings.

Tamarind paste (with or without hot sauce), salt, and sugar are shaped into bite-size balls and dusted with sugar.

These are made by fruits being cleaned and stewed in water. Sugar is added until it is thickened. The jams are used on bread, cookies, and/or in tarts. 

The same procedure as used with the jam used here, but the guava becomes thicker in substance, sometimes by using gelatin. After cooling, it is cut into pieces and sold or presented in that way.

Making of juices and/or fermented beverages from fruits, parts of fruits, or bark grown locally.  The preparation and consumption of locally made beverages are an integral part of St. Maarten’s history, culture, and identity. 

Whenever a certain fruit is in season, it is picked, cleaned, and prepared for boiling or brewing. Water and sugar, and sometimes other flavors, are added to make it into refreshing delicious drinks.

This is made from a flowering red plant and brewed to produce a rich liquid. Sugar is added and the juice is served cold. It is mostly consumed during the  Christmas holiday season.

Made from the fleshy pods of the tamarind tree. It is boiled, sweetened, and served cold.

Made by squeezing limes and adding water and sugar to the juice. It is served cold.

Made by peeling the soursop, adding milk, and letting it steep. The seeds are removed, spices are added if desired, and it is served cold. Instead of milk, water can be used.

Made by taking the pulp out of the passion fruit and adding water and sweetener. The seeds are sifted out and it is served cold.

The ginger root is grated, boiling water is added, and it is rested for hours or days depending on the desired strength. It can be drunk as is or rum can be added.

Rum making is done by crushing the sugar cane stalks, extracting the juice, and distilling the liquid produced from fermented sugar cane juice. It is often used in our local beverages.

Made by extracting small guava berries, adding spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar, and other ingredients and put in a bottle to ferment for several weeks; served during the Christmas season.

Made by extracting small guava berries, adding spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar, and other ingredients, and put in a bottle to ferment for several weeks; served during the Christmas season.

Rum and brown sugar are added to the fruit, soaked for a few weeks, and served in small glasses. The longer the fruits are steeped in the rum, the stronger the drink becomes. The punches are popular during special occasions.

Herbs such as lemongrass, basil, mint, etc. are selected, washed, and then placed in a pot or cup, and boiling water is poured over it. It is steeped before drinking. Some bush teas are made by boiling the herbs in the water for a while before cooling and drinking.