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LOCAL Saturday 22 November 2025

Aruba: the legend behind its name

(Oranjestad)—Most folkloric tales with arrows and spears, backpacks with their families.
and legends in Aruba revolve filled with food and water con- And so when the Cacique passed
around our indigenous ancestors, tainers, they set off. They climbed Throughout the year, they travelled away, his wishes were granted and
who came from mainland Venezu- several small hills, but no sign of a back and forth to Aruba, collect- he was laid to rest in the area we
ela, and discovered the island and village. They crossed different dry ing salt. After a while they settled now know as the Paradera Cem-
made it into their new home. This riverbeds, but no sign of anything. on the island, generations of fami- etery. Where he used to live, they
particular legend tells the story of When the sun finally descended, lies living along the coast. Corobori built the Paradera Church.
the birth of the Aruba name. they found themselves near a fairly was the first indigenous inhabitant
tall hill and decided to climb it for a in our history to explore the entirety And that is the tale of what inspired
The legend follows the life of Arua, better view of a village. This hill was of the island. the Aruba name. In the genera-
an indigenous Cacique originally called Pan Dushi or Orcuyo, which tions that lived or travelled back
from Aroa in the Falcon state in today we call Hooiberg. Arua, after decades as the lead- and forth to the island, there were
Venezuela in the year 50 AD. Arua er of his tribe, spent his last days many familiar names*, like Guadiri-
had a son around the year 70 AD The next morning, they could on the island. Having reached 80 ki, a warrior who was there when
with his wife Shira, who they named clearly see that they have landed years old, he called for his family the island got discovered and his
Corobori. When Corobori was old on an island, but an unfamiliar one on his death bed. In his hammock, son, whom he called Huliba; Coro-
enough, he joined his father on the at that. When Corobori went back he said: “My children, many years bori and his children, Corodori,
usual boat trip to the islands of Cu- to where his father was waiting, he have passed, and I’ve asked my Camacuri and Turibana, Masiduri;
racao and Bonaire to gather salt. told him the news: “Father Arua, warrior to bring me back to the is- and Malmok, the 13-year-old boy
you have just discovered an island, land so I can laid to rest. The God who alerted the Cacique when
On their way back to Mainland but it is not Curacao or Bonaire. Far of living has given me the gift of life the Caribes attacked.
Venezuela, they were caught up in in the south, we saw the big moun- to see my son, grandchildren and
a heavy rain storm—a side effect tains of our homeland Venezuela, great grandchildren. But now he Familiar names: all these names
from a passing, but far away, hur- which we could have never seen is calling me home. Corobori, my are familiar to Arubans, as these
ricane. Of course, because of the on the other island. This leads us to torch is now passed to you. Guide are the names of places and
lack of motors and sail, their boat believe we are on a new island. But our people, and be the leader you plants on the island.q
was left in the mercy of the heavy that’s not all. When the sun came were always meant to become. If
winds. After a while, the storm up, we saw in the distance a glow- one day you leave my island, do Source: Un storia di e Indjan Arua
started to pass, and the clouds be- ing plain, which we think may be not forget that it is also yours. This is (A story of the Indian Arua) by Adolf
gan to clear up. Finally able to see salt.” my last wish: When I die, bury me in (Dufi) Kock.
around them, the Cacique spot- our maize plantation.”
ted land approximately an hour The Cacique was pleased to hear
away. So, they started to row in of his son’s findings. He decided to
that direction until they reached stay a couple days on the newly-
the coast. discovered island in search for salt.
The next morning they ascended
Once they arrived on what they Hooiberg again and stayed to see
thought was Venezuela, they de- if they could find nearby smoke, in-
cided to stay the night and fix their dicating an inhabitant village. But
kayak. The next morning, the Caci- they found nothing. So they went
que ordered his son and a few war- back to their initial arrival settle-
riors to go find any sign of popula- ment, now known as Santo Largo
tion in the area: “Corobori,” Arua in Savaneta. The next morning they
said. “Don’t come back without hiked along the Spaans Lagoen
news. It’s in your hands how long near the Mangel Halto Beach and
we stay here till we find our family. reached the area of Bushiri. There,
So, if you need to take a week to they boarded they kayaks and
gather information, we will wait for heading to what we know now as
you.” Malmok, where they found rocks
of salt. After a couple days of ex-
“Don’t worry,” Corobori replied. ploring the island and gathering
“As soon as we have any informa- some salt rocks, they left for Ven-
tion, we will let you know.” Armed ezuela, where they were reunited