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LOCAL Friday 7 February 2025
Be aware of fake scams online

(Oranjestad)—As Aruba Today has mentioned a few days ago, there has been fake headlines going around on Facebook that includes the
Aruba Today logo. Since then, more of these fraudulent posts have popped up.

We once again advise our reader not to engage or click on any of these posts, and please repport them to us, preferably with a screenshot of
the post or link. Aruba Today will continue to investigate the emergence of this scam.

The stories of “Compa Nanzi”

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