St. John and St. Peter's Fire JumpingDia di San Wan i San Pedro

This traditional event features fire-jumping rituals during the feast days of St. John (San Juan, June 24) and St. Peter (San Pedro, June 29) in Bonaire. Local men (and sometimes women) dance and jump over bonfires to Kriyo rhythms on these saint’s days. The celebrations take place late June in the Sorobon plain area and are accompanied by drumming on marimbas, wiri (gouiro), karko (conch shell), and other local instruments. It is a communal expression connecting to Africa-origin rituals and marking the summer’s agricultural cycle 1.

The practice harkens back to indigenous and African influences on Bonaire. Fire Jumping during these Saint days is unique to the island. InfoBonaire explains it as returning 'to their roots' with fire-dancing and Kriyo music on the Saints’ Days 1. It is a social gathering as much as a ritual, reinforcing local identity through shared music and dance practices.