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Wednesday 19 november 2025 locAl
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Episode CCCXX-330
Where the Wind Carves Legends: The Watapana and Fofoti of Aruba
The narrative of Etnia Nativa—which means Native Yet over time, the Watapana has
Ethnicity—highlights the importance of recovering been overshadowed by another tree
and preserving Aruba’s cultural identity and heritage. — the Fofoti. While both trees are
In this episode, we delve into two iconic trees of the often confused due to their similar
island. coastal habitats and striking forms, it is
the Fofoti that typically steals the spot-
On the sun-drenched, wind-battered shores of Aru- light in photographs, especially those
ba, there are two iconic trees that have captured the taken at the iconic Eagle Beach.
hearts of visitors and locals alike: the Watapana and
the Fofoti. Yet, there’s a curious twist to their story — The Fofoti, or green buttonwood tree
one that blends history, mistaken identity, and the re- (Conocarpus erectus), is regularly as-
silience of these stunning natural wonders. Both trees sociated with mangroves, as they of-
have roots that run deep in the island’s history, each ten share the same habitat. Thanks
symbolizing the essence of Aruba, and their story is to its high tolerance for salt, the Fo-
one of survival against the odds. foti symbolizes Aruba’s ability to thrive
under harsh conditions. Its twisted,
gnarled bark and low-branching
Aruba’s Watapana tree (officially known as Caesal- trunk have made it a favorite among
pinia coriaria) is often mistakenly called the Divi Divi photographers and visitors alike.
tree — a name actually tied to its famous seed pods, Found along the island’s coastlines,
which once held great economic importance. The the Fofoti is uniquely adapted to sur-
name “Divi Divi” was first used by the indigenous peo- vive extreme dryness, high salinity, al-
ple of Aruba to refer specifically to the pods of the kaline soils, and intense sun — all while Today, both trees stand proudly as sym-
Watapana tree, prized for their high tannin content. providing shelter and food for various bols of Aruba’s identity, each with a rich
This tannin was widely used in Europe for leather tan- pollinators. history and a tale to tell. The Watapa-
ning, and for more than a century, Aruba’s Watapa- na’s legacy lives on in the island’s history
na pods were exported across the seas. Despite its global distribution in tropi- books, its dried leaves still enriching the
cal and subtropical regions, the Fo- soil, its pods once again becoming a
foti has become an iconic symbol of precious commodity. The Fofoti, on the
The tree became so valuable in the 19th century that Aruba’s strength. Its roots reach deep other hand, stands tall in photos from
cutting a branch without a special permit was illegal. into the soil, both literally and meta- Eagle Beach to Malmok, its gnarled
This respect for the Watapana extended beyond its phorically, holding the shoreline to- branches an emblem of the island’s
economic worth — the tree also played a critical gether against the relentless waves. coastal beauty.
ecological role, enriching the soil and helping pro- Its resilience in the face of difficult
tect the island from erosion. Its importance to Aruba’s conditions mirrors Aruba’s own — an The real story isn’t about mistaken iden-
survival and identity was so profound that the island’s island that has weathered hurricanes, tities, but about resilience. The Watap-
Parliament eventually declared it the national tree of droughts, and the pressures of mod- ana and Fofoti, each unique, embody
Aruba. ern development, yet continues to the enduring spirit of Aruba — a spirit
flourish. that, like these trees, will thrive for gen-
erations to come.
So, the next time you see a photo of
these iconic trees — whether it’s the
Watapana with its rich history or the Fo-
foti with its twisted, windswept charm
— remember and try to identify these
two separate and different trees spe-
cies from each other symbols of Aruba’s
heart, soul, and timeless beauty.q
Discover Aruba’s true heritage at Etnia
Nativa, founded in 1994. A cultural pio-
neer, it co-founded the National Park,
Archaeological Museum, and many
initiatives for heritage and conserva-
tion. Experience the island’s soul like
never before.
WhatsApp: +297 592 2702 or
Email: etnianativa03@gmail.com
