Page 16 - AHATA

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local Friday 5 december 2025
Meet an Aruban trailblazers: Padu Lampe

(Oranjestad)—This week we his interest in parapsychol-
remember one of our most ogy and supernatural phe-
beloved Aruban giant, Juan nomenon. He wrote three
Chabaya Lampe—better books in Papiamento on the
known as Padu Lampe or subject in 1986, which was
Padu del Caribe. As one of published by the Aruban
the most important and re- National Printing Press with
nowned artists in the Aruban sponsorship provided by the
cultural sphere, Padu’s long Prince Bernhard Funds Neth-
career led him to be hon- erlands Antilles.
ored today as “the father of our community.
culture.” Besides that, Padu passed
his exam on “Society to Ad- Padu will always be in Aru-
On April 26th, 1920, Juan vanced Ethical Hypnosis” ba’s heart, because he had
Chabaya Lampe “Padu in 1964 in New Jersey. He composed various special
Lampe/Padu del Caribe” received a certificate as songs dedicated to the
was born in Nassaustraat, not too familiar with music style. In 1939, he participat- a hypnotechnician, which mothers of the island; his
Oranjestad. He grew up in theory, he showed innova- ed in an art exhibit in New gave him the authority to song “Sonrisa di un baby”
a happy musical environ- tions in his compositions. York, where he won a bronze practice hypnosis in some (“A baby’s Smile”) has been
ment, and it is because of Lastly, Padu was a promoter medal for his painting “Typi- states. written in three different lan-
this that he developed a of Creole music around the cal View of Aruba.” guages. Padu also wrote our
love for music. Starting from world. Over the course of his ca- national anthem “Aruba Du-
the age of 12, he was agile Padu remained a popular reer, he received many shi Tera”, along with Mr. Rufo
in the clarinet, mandolin and One of the most important artist within the Dutch Antil- accolades and awards in Wever. This song was ap-
cuatro. Henry Lampe, his fa- moments in Aruban history, les and the Caribbean as a Aruba, Curacao, Venezuela proved by the government
ther, was also a well-known in which he was able to wit- pianist, singer, author and and the Netherlands. of Aruba and was named
pianist and musician. ness first-hand, was the first painter. Padu Lampe was the official anthem of the
radio broadcast on the is- a local artist who became Padu del Caribe passed island in 1976.
In a publication of the infor- land on March 20th, 1954. renowned in Venezuela, away on November 29th,
mative seminar, “Observer”, Here, he was accompanied Colombia, The U.S. and The 2019, at the age of 99 years Other songs that have been
from august 1st, 1962, Padu’s by Antillean guitarist Julian Netherlands too. In the old. Padu brought the Aru- considered as being almost
many merits and friendly per- Coco and Hubert “Loi” Booi. 1950s, he sold no less than ban culture around the a second anthem for Aru-
sonality stood out. It was said 50 thousand copies of his world. His legacy will remain bans is the special compo-
that he was an excellent pia- In the art world, Padu was long-playing albums (LPs). ingrained in the Aruban cul- sition he wrote for his wife
nist with a personal style and also a known painter. During tural history, and he will be Daisy Croes called “Abo so”.
full of surprises. Secondly, his youth, he made several Padu Lampe was a multi- known forever as one of the Daisy later passed away in
though the composer was painting using his unique faceted artist, inspired by most influential trailblazers of 1994.q

The Aruban way of life: Creating community with Cas di Torto

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