Page 16 - HOH

A9
LOCAL Thursday 23 May 2024

The legend of the Kibrahacha tree

(Oranjestad)—The Kibrahacha is The legend of the Kibrahacha went to the nearest Kibrahacha tree.
a famous tree known locally for its Written by Hubert (Lio Booi)
bright, yellow flowers that blooms for When they arrived at the tree, they
just three days. Scientifically known One day Aterima, who lived west saw that it was covered head to
as Tabebuia billbergii, and in Eng- of the hill Sero Warawara, woke up toe in thorns, with only a few closed
lish as the Yellow Poui, this tree is one day to find her father sleeping flowers at the very top. Kudawecha,
native to the Caribbean islands of in his hammock, suffering a bout of experienced veteran in all things Aru-
Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, and terrible fever. Her mother was very ban flora and fauna, told Aretima to
is considered among locals as one worried, and as was the custom in start plucking the thorns of the tree
of the most spectacular trees on the the olden days, asked Aterima to go to climb to the top where the flow-
island. But did you also know that fetch Kudawecha, who was a epis- ers are. Aretima, just as determined
the beautiful yellow flowers have a temophile, to come see his father. to save her father, didn’t hesitate Aretima’s mother quickly made a
story behind them? to start. tea out of the flowers and gave it to
Aterima wasted to time and went to her sick husband. Miraculously, after
The Kibrahacha is said to have ex- go fetch Kudawecha. Upon telling To her surprise, every time she just one sip of the tea, the father’s
tremely hard wood—so hard that Kudawecha that her father was sick, plucked a thorn of the tree, a bright, fever left his body immediately, and
it can break an axe. In fact, that’s he immediately accompanied Areti- yellow flower bloomed in its place. he opened eyes and sprung up feel-
what its name means in Papiamento: ma back to her hut, where he en- The thorns were hard to pluck out, ing new.
“kibra” (break) “hacha” (axe). The countered her father in a bad state. but Aretima continued plucking with
flowers bloom around April and May, Not willing to waste any time, he told enthusiasm and wonder at the un- The next morning, they all visited the
but this only last for about three days, Aretima that the only thing that can folding sight before her. Not too long same Kibrahacha tree that saved
as the flowers start to fall off and the cure her father is a home-made po- after she was able to fill her entire the life of Aretima’s father and they
tree starts growing its green leaves. tion made out of the Kibrahacha satchel with the yellow flowers. Ku- saw another miracle. The tree was
The Kibrahacha is especially particu- flower. At the time the Kibrahacha dawecha, satisfied to see Aretima covered again in the same bright,
lar, as it’s the only one among its was not yet in her blooming season, so happy and encouraged to help yellow flowers, with not a thorn in
neighboring trees to starts bloom- but the stubborn Kudawecha was her father, took her back to her hut. sight. And as the legend goes, from
ing first. determined to bring back Aretima’s that day on, the Kibrahacha tree no
father back to health, and so off they Upon arriving back at the hut, longer produced any more thorns. q

Aruba’s most family-friendly beaches

(Oranjestad)—One of the in the shallow shores of the grove trees near the en- high-rise hotel areas, these place for family to lay down
biggest concerns that par- beach. Beside the relaxing trance sign. Here, there are beaches are the most ac- a big blanket and have a
ents have when travelling atmosphere, there are also small and big palapas, per- cessible for visitors on foot. little picnic. This is also one
with their children is a guar- several services that may fect for big and small fami- These beaches also offer of the best places to snorkel,
antee of their safety and accommodate your stay, lies to set up their belong- many palapas free to use, as this area is filled with little
healthy enjoyment. There- like a parking lot, sun tent ings. In this area, the shore but you can also rent chairs fish and corals, even close
fore, we thought it would rentals, chairs, bathrooms is also shallow, falling right and tents. Much like Baby to the shore.
be a great help to travelling and a snack bar right at the around your knee before Beach, these sites are one
parents to list off some the far left of the beach. slowly getting deeper: per- of the best beaches for your Palm Island
most family-friendly beach- fect for kids to safely play. children to play and build Ok, this one is technically
es around the island. Mangel Halto in Pos sand castles. not a beach, but a must-
Chiquito Eagle Beach/Palm Beach visit attraction for family fun.
Baby Beach in San Nicolas Mangel Halto is situated in in the hotel area Boca Catalina in Malmok This small water park oasis is
Baby Beach is one Aruba’s the back streets of the Pos Yet another highly popular Boca Catalina is a small bay located further down the
most popular and visited Chiquito city. Though there beach site, Eagle Beach beach near the Malmok Mangel Halto Beach and is
beaches, and for good are several stairs on the sides and Palm Beach is where beach area further down reachable by boat. This wa-
reason: This sandy and quiet of the beach cliff leading most of our visitors go to the hotel areas. Though it ter park offers 6 hours of fun
lagoon is a great place for you down, the best spot for tan, swim or play in the may not be a very sandy activities, food, drinks, and a
parents to sit back and re- families to hang out is across white sand. Because they beach, it is relatively quiet chance to see pink flamin-
lax while their children play the bridge, passed the man- are near the low-rise and and tranquil. This is a great goes up close! q