Page 22 - AHATA

A9
LOCAL Wednesday 6 august 2025

The Aruban way of life

Creating community with Cas di Torto

(Oranjestad)—The Aruban
people understand that
a happy life is spent in
great ambience with your
loved ones. Passed down
from one generation to the
other, building community
has been a key aspect
in forging our traditions
and customs. The Cas di
Torto (mud house) played
a big role in cultivating
community, bridging
families together and
forming close bonds with
your neighbors—something
we highly value today. mixture of grass and mud. Building community of work, everyone would
Finally, the walls got a coat Building Torto houses was The couple’s family were gather around and enjoy
Cas di Torto: History and of white plaster to seal often a community effort. primarily responsible for a feast of hearty food. This
construction everything in. Young couples who were feeding everyone who type of help from friends
The origin of the Cas di about to get married had helped build the house. and family became a
Torto is said to date back For roofing, corn stalks, to have their house built Before construction, tradition and was called
to the early 19th century in palm fonds and straws before they could tie the someone usually had the “paga lomba”: You help
the Paraguana Peninsula in were used, allowing air knot and start their own task to prepare the meal; me today; I’ll help you
Venezuela. Refugees who to flow freely through family. This is where the help going fishing or slaughter tomorrow.
sought sanctuary on Aruba the house. This method of the community comes farm animals like goats,
introduced this building of roofing was known into play. chicken or sheep. Even Nowadays, traditional
method to the island. throughout the ABC islands the older kids had their Cas di Torto are rare,
(Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire), Neighbors, extended family tasks; the older children of especially those that are
The uprights of the walls but the use of cornstalks and friends would all help in the family usually helped still inhabited. Houses that
were made with sturdy in Aruba eventually got the construction of a Torto with collecting water and do exist probably date
and straight wayaca or replaced with use of mud House. And everyone had mixing the mud. back more than a century.
kwihi wood, or from thin and white plaster for the a role: The men oversaw the
mangrove struts. Then, the roofs. The white plaster all building of the house, and The average duration of Picture credits: Aruba
wattle walls were weaved around made the houses the women were tasked constructing a Cas di Torto National Library (BNA) and
in using branches and looks like cake, hence the with collecting wood and was 4 months. the Monumentbureau
twigs from the warero and name “Torto” (Spanish for straws, cooking and taking archive on Coleccion.awq
sisal plant, daubed with a “cake”). care of the little ones. At the end of a long day

Dining in? Try making a local favorite

How to make “pan bati”

(Oranjestad)—If you’re 1 cup grams of fine corn- the milk and beat until is ready, place on a plate
ever up for an Aruban meal (we recommend the reached a pancake-like and cover with a clean
snack, try making another Harina PAN brand) consistency. If more moister kitchen towel.
Aruban classic appetizer 2 tbsp baking powder is needed, add some water
called Pan Bati. Similar to a 1 1/3 cup of milk until reached desired con- Traditionally, pan bati is cut
pancake both in appear- 1 pinch of salt sistency. in triangle pieces, and is
ance and cooking, this is a 2 tbsp of granulated sugar often eaten as a side dish
super easy meal that adults Oil for cooking In a hot pan with oil, pour in with soup, fried fish or stews.
and children will both en- enough batter to cover the However, it is also casually
joy. Here’s how to make it! Instructions: bottom of the pan. Just like enjoyed with some butter
Add all the dry ingredients pancakes, flip the pan bati and cheese on top! .q
Ingredients: in a bowl first, and stir un- when one side turns golden
2 cups of all purpose flour til well mixed. Then add brown. When your pan bati