Page 11 - AHATA

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local Wednesday 20 november 2024

The stories of “Compa Nanzi”

walk right on in.
Nanzi stumbled upon the
king’s quarters. With all his
excitement he sat in the
king’s throne, and put on
his crown that was hanging
on the side of the throne. It
was very hot that day, and
it wasn’t long until Nanzi
too fell asleep, right there
on the king’s throne. He
was so deep in sleep and
snoring so loud, that even
when the king found him in
his seat, Nanzi did not even
notice.
Shon Arei was flabbergast-
ed by the sight of Nanzi
on his throne, wearing his
crown. How disrespect-
ful! “Soldiers, get him!” he tiful in here that you’ve again. “Nanzi! Aren’t you
commanded. Nanzi was never seen or will ever see,” suppose to be at the bot-
sound asleep, but when Nanzi told the herder. tom of the ocean floor?”
the soldiers picked him up, The herder, very dumb, be- “I was, Your Majesty,” Nanzi
he jumped from fright. By lieved Nanzi’s word. “Let replied. But you know what,
(Oranjestad)—The most culture in the new world. then though, the soldier al- me see!” he said. there is so many things to

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