Page 9 - AHATA

Tuesday 31 december 2024 locAl
A10

The stories of “Compa Nanzi”

(Oranjestad)—The most popular character you it and committed to what he had in mind. It was
may hear about in the Caribbean is Anansi, a warm afternoon, and the castle personnel
known locally on Aruba as “Compa Nanzi”. Lo- were taking their afternoon nap. Even the sol-
cal children grew up hearing the tales of the dier guarding the castle door was fast asleep,
conniving spider, and his legacy forms part of snoring so loud that his beard bounced up and
the oral narrative tradition that is common in down on his chin. Nanzi just slipped past him,
Aruba. looked back for a moment then walk right on
in.
Although the stories are most popular in the Ca- Nanzi stumbled upon the king’s quarters. With
ribbean, “Compa Nanzi” is not entirely unknown all his excitement he sat in the king’s throne,
globally, especially not in the West African re- and put on his crown that was hanging on the
gion. Brought to the “new world” by enslaved side of the throne. It was very hot that day, and
Africans from Ghana, the historical thread of it wasn’t long until Nanzi too fell asleep, right
how Nanzi was introduced on Aruba follows the there on the king’s throne. He was so deep in
enslaved Africans in Curacao during the colo- sleep and snoring so loud, that even when the
nial era, which saw the biggest population of king found him in his seat, Nanzi did not even
enslaved Africans in the Dutch Caribbean. notice.
The stories of Compa Nanzi were a sign of hope Shon Arei was flabbergasted by the sight of
for freedom among the slaves, who passed Nanzi on his throne, wearing his crown. How dis-
around different stories involving the famous respectful! “Soldiers, get him!” he commanded.
spider through word of mouth, due to not being Nanzi was sound asleep, but when the soldiers
able to express their native culture in the new picked him up, he jumped from fright. By then
world. These stories were a way to not only pre- though, the soldier already had him in their
serve their culture, but it acted as a medium for hold.
relief during the harsh treatment to which they “Put him in a sack, stitch it up and throw him
were subjected to. in the ocean!” the king said furiously. Two sol-
It wasn’t until the end of the nineteenth century diers immediately entered the chamber, took
that the stories of Nanzi were written down in the crown off Nanzi’s head and pushed him in the poor herder started screaming to let him
different languages. However, not all stories are a sack. out, but the soldiers ignored him, thinking it was
completely alike in every country, as is the risk Nanzi was terrified; it looks like this time he Nanzi.
of oral story telling. However, one thing will al- won’t get away with his schemes. To get to the Shon Arei went strolling a while later. He thought
ways be dominant in Compa Nanzi’s stories: his ocean, the soldier walked a long distance, and to himself: “This time Nanzi could not get away
sneaky ways to get what he wants! where beginning to feel very thirsty. Luckily they with his foolishness. He probably drowned in
How Nanzi fooled the king passed by a pub, and decided to have a nice that sack ages ago.” That is why, when he saw
One day Nanzi was taking a stroll near the cas- cold beer. They set the sack with Nanzi in it out- Nanzi walk behind the herd of sheep on the
tle of Shon Arei, the king. He had this sudden side and went to enjoy the refreshments. Nanzi street, he was flabbergasted again. “Nanzi!
urge to walk in. He didn’t think too much about was still trembling with fear in the sack. Aren’t you suppose to be at the bottom of the
What is that he hears? A herd of sheep walking ocean floor?”
by? “I was, Your Majesty,” Nanzi replied. But you
“Compadre, listen here!” Nanzi screamed as know what, there is so many things to see down
loud as he could. The sheep herder got close to there in the sack! Like this herd of sheep. See-
the sack. “What is this?” ing that they had no herder, I started walk-
“Man, there is something very beautiful in here ing behind them and gained their trust pretty
that you can see. It’s very rare and strange, but quickly. At the bottom of the ocean there are
indeed, there is something so beautiful in here so many wonderful things, like diamonds, and
that you’ve never seen or will ever see,” Nanzi bags of gold. Chests of silver and other precious
told the herder. stones,” Nanzi told the king.
The herder, very dumb, believed Nanzi’s word. “What is that you say?” the king was intrigued.
“Let me see!” he said. “I want to see it too!”
“Well if you must insist,” Nanzi said, “I’ll let you The king immediately demanded to his soldiers
take a look, but only for a quick second.” The to be put in a sack and be placed in the ocean.
herder opened the sack, and Nanzi immedi- Naturally, Shon Arei died because of this. He
ately jumped out. Before the herder could even was never found again. Nanzi followed the sol-
take a look into the sack, Nanzi pushed him in it, dier back to the castle, where sat once again
and the herder fell head first in. on the late king’s thrown and put his crown on.
Nanzi didn’t waste any time, and closed off the He took possession of all of Shon Arei’s belong-
sack real tight. He then picked up the herder’s ings, and lived the rest of his life as king.q
hat and starting walking behind the traveling Story and pictures are from “Kon Nanzi a Nek Shon
sheep as if nothing happened. After a little Arei (i otro kuentanan antiano di e araña sabi)” by
while, the soldiers headed back outside to con- Nilda Pinto.
tinue their journey. As they picked up the sack,