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Monday 29 July 2024 locAl
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The stories of “Compa Nanzi”

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