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a8 local
Monday 7 april 2025
Dining in? Try making a local favorite The legend of the

How to make “pan bati” Kibrahacha tree

(Oranjestad)—The Kibra-
hacha is a famous tree
known locally for its bright,
yellow flowers that blooms
for just three days. Scientifi-
cally known as Tabebuia
billbergii, and in English
as the Yellow Poui, this
tree is native to the Carib-
bean islands of Aruba, Bo-
naire and Curacao, and is the stubborn Kudawecha
considered among locals was determined to bring
as one of the most spec- back Aretima’s father back
tacular trees on the island. to health, and so off they
But did you also know that went to the nearest Kibra-
the beautiful yellow flowers hacha tree.
have a story behind them? When they arrived at the
(Oranjestad)—If you’re ever up for an Instructions: tree, they saw that it was
Aruban snack, try making another Aruban Add all the dry ingredients in a bowl first, The Kibrahacha is said covered head to toe in
classic appetizer called Pan Bati. Similar and stir until well mixed. Then add the milk to have extremely hard thorns, with only a few
to a pancake both in appearance and and beat until reached a pancake-like wood—so hard that it can closed flowers at the very
cooking, this is a super easy meal that consistency. If more moister is needed, break an axe. In fact, that’s top. Kudawecha, experi-
adults and children will both enjoy. Here’s add some water until reached desired what its name means in Pa- enced veteran in all things
how to make it! consistency. piamento: “kibra” (break) Aruban flora and fauna,
“hacha” (axe). The flowers told Aretima to start pluck-
In a hot pan with oil, pour in enough batter bloom around April and ing the thorns of the tree to
Ingredients: to cover the bottom of the pan. Just like May, but this only last for climb to the top where the
2 cups of all purpose flour pancakes, flip the pan bati when one side about three days, as the flowers are. Aretima, just as
1 cup grams of fine cornmeal (we turns golden brown. When your pan bati is flowers start to fall off and determined to save her fa-
recommend the Harina PAN brand) ready, place on a plate and cover with a the tree starts growing its ther, didn’t hesitate to start.
2 tbsp baking powder clean kitchen towel. green leaves. The Kibraha- To her surprise, every time
1 1/3 cup of milk Traditionally, pan bati is cut in triangle cha is especially particular, she plucked a thorn of the
1 pinch of salt pieces, and is often eaten as a side dish as it’s the only one among tree, a bright, yellow flower
2 tbsp of granulated sugar with soup, fried fish or stews. However, it its neighboring trees to bloomed in its place. The
Oil for cooking is also casually enjoyed with some butter starts blooming first. thorns were hard to pluck
and cheese on top! q out, but Aretima contin-
The legend of the Kibra- ued plucking with enthu-
hacha siasm and wonder at the
Written by Hubert (Lio Booi) unfolding sight before her.
Not too long after she was
One day Aterima, who able to fill her entire satchel
lived west of the hill Sero with the yellow flowers. Ku-
Warawara, woke up one dawecha, satisfied to see
day to find her father Aretima so happy and
sleeping in his hammock, encouraged to help her
suffering a bout of terrible father, took her back to
fever. Her mother was very her hut.
worried, and as was the Upon arriving back at
custom in the olden days, the hut, Aretima’s mother
asked Aterima to go fetch quickly made a tea out of
Kudawecha, who was a the flowers and gave it to
epistemophile, to come her sick husband. Miracu-
see his father. lously, after just one sip of
Aterima wasted to time the tea, the father’s fever
and went to go fetch Ku- left his body immediately,
dawecha. Upon telling Ku- and he opened eyes and
dawecha that her father sprung up feeling new.
was sick, he immediately The next morning, they all
accompanied Aretima visited the same Kibraha-
back to her hut, where he cha tree that saved the
encountered her father in life of Aretima’s father and
a bad state. Not willing to they saw another miracle.
waste any time, he told The tree was covered
Aretima that the only thing again in the same bright,
that can cure her father yellow flowers, with not a
is a home-made potion thorn in sight. And as the
made out of the Kibraha- legend goes, from that day
cha flower. At the time the on, the Kibrahacha tree no
Kibrahacha was not yet in longer produced any more
her blooming season, but thorns. q