Page 17 - HOH

Thursday 5 OcTOber 2023 locAl
A10

Episode LX (60): Maish grandi; Big corn or Zea mays

grains and generating hy-
brids, so corn was born.

The oldest vestiges of do-
mesticated corn were
found in Mexico and are
8,700 B.C.
The teosinte currently con-
tinues to live in Mexico
wild along streams and
slopes. There are many
types; maize is believed to
come from the Zea. mays
ssp type. Parviglumis that
grows in the southwest of
the country and is the most
similar, in genetic structure,
to corn.

The most impressive aspect
of the maize story is what it
tells us about the capabili-
ties of agriculturalists 9,000
years ago. These people
were living in small groups
and shifting their settle-
ments seasonally. Yet they
were able to transform a
ORANJESTAD — Corn as Many botanists did not see grass with many inconve-
we know it today would any connection between nient, unwanted features
not exist if it weren't for the corn and other living plants. into a high-yielding, eas-
Amerindian botanists or Some concluded that the ily harvested food crop.
expert agro engineers that crop plant arose through The domestication process of present day North Amer- and also known as cudie`s,
cultivated and developed the domestication by early must have occurred in ica, they brought corn with testimony of the presence
many crops including corn. agriculturalists of wild corn many stages over a con- them. of maize. This abundance
It is a human creation, a that was now extinct, or at siderable length of time as of food gave time to mas-
plant that does not exist least undiscovered. many different, indepen- When Europeans like Co- ter many arts of ceramics
naturally in the wild and dent characteristics of the lumbus made contact expressions and an enor-
will not survive without hu- About 10,000 years ago, plant were modified. with people were living in mous array of crafts and
man attention, it can only Mesoamerican man found the Caribbean, North and technics.
survive if planted and pro- that he could make hybrids From Mexico maize spread South America, corn was
tected by humans. with a conical grass, made north into the Southwest- a major part of the diet of The cultivation of corn
up of various grains, and ern United States and south most native people. When brought a whole new era
The greatest surprise, and that was born in the wild: down the coast to Peru Columbus "discovered" and progress to Amerin-
the source of much past teosinte (which in Nahuatl and Argentina. About 1000 America, he also discov- dian societies all over the
controversy in corn arche- means grain of God). Since years ago, as Native Ameri- ered corn. But up to this continent. Yes, to those
ology, was the identifica- then, he began to grow this can people migrated north time, people living in Eu- who cultivated corn suc-
tion of the corn’s ancestor. seed, choosing the best to the eastern woodlands rope did not know about cessfully, including those
corn. on islands and mountains
The first Thanksgiving was side. All These Amerindians
held in 1621. While sweet group claims that their flesh
potatoes, cranberry sauce and bones are made out
and pumpkin pie were not of Corn, of Maish or Zea
on the menu, however In- mays. That is how impor-
dian corn certainly would tant this wonder plant is for
have been. them. q

For Aruba corn was of vital To immerse in what Aru-
importance and the most ba is all about. its people,
important crop followed its origins, its animals and
by yuca, beans squashes culture, we highly recom-
and peanuts. Corn was mend you to book your visit
sacred for the Caquetio for our renowned cultural
and respected the whole encounter session which
plant as their creator as has been entertaining curi-
the mother food and ven- ous, scientist and bohemi-
erated with the out most ans for decades. Mail us at
Article by: Etnia Nativa respect. Beside pollen and etnianativa03@gmail.com
ceramic buren`s, ancient to confirm your participa-
Whatsapp us +297 592 2702 and book agro ceramic cultures of tion. Our facilities and ac-
your Aruban exprerience Aruba had left their native tivities take place close to
Etnia Nativa is close to the high rise hotels milling stones or Metate’s high rise hotels.