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a8 local
Monday 7 october 2024

The stories of “Compa Nanzi”

(Oranjestad)—The most not only preserve their cul- excitement he sat in the
popular character you may ture, but it acted as a me- king’s throne, and put on
hear about in the Carib- dium for relief during the his crown that was hanging
bean is Anansi, known lo- harsh treatment to which on the side of the throne. It
cally on Aruba as “Compa they were subjected to. was very hot that day, and
Nanzi”. Local children grew It wasn’t until the end of the it wasn’t long until Nanzi
up hearing the tales of the nineteenth century that the too fell asleep, right there
conniving spider, and his stories of Nanzi were written on the king’s throne. He
legacy forms part of the down in different languag- was so deep in sleep and
oral narrative tradition that es. However, not all stories snoring so loud, that even
is common in Aruba. are completely alike in ev- when the king found him in
ery country, as is the risk of his seat, Nanzi did not even
Although the stories are oral story telling. However, notice.
most popular in the Carib- one thing will always be Shon Arei was flabbergast-
bean, “Compa Nanzi” is not dominant in Compa Nan- ed by the sight of Nanzi
entirely unknown globally, zi’s stories: his sneaky ways on his throne, wearing his
especially not in the West to get what he wants! crown. How disrespect-
African region. Brought to ful! “Soldiers, get him!” he
the “new world” by en- How Nanzi fooled the king commanded. Nanzi was
slaved Africans from Gha- One day Nanzi was taking sound asleep, but when
na, the historical thread of a stroll near the castle of the soldiers picked him up, Nanzi told the herder. suppose to be at the bot-
how Nanzi was introduced Shon Arei, the king. He had he jumped from fright. By The herder, very dumb, be- tom of the ocean floor?”
on Aruba follows the en- this sudden urge to walk in. then though, the soldier al- lieved Nanzi’s word. “Let “I was, Your Majesty,” Nanzi
slaved Africans in Cura- He didn’t think too much ready had him in their hold. me see!” he said. replied. But you know what,

cao during the colonial about it and committed to “Put him in a sack, stitch “Well if you must insist,” there is so many things to
era, which saw the biggest what he had in mind. It was it up and throw him in the Nanzi said, “I’ll let you see down there in the sack!
population of enslaved Af- a warm afternoon, and the ocean!” the king said furi- take a look, but only for a Like this herd of sheep. See-
ricans in the Dutch Carib- castle personnel were tak- ously. Two soldiers imme- quick second.” The herder ing that they had no herd-
bean. ing their afternoon nap. diately entered the cham- opened the sack, and Nan- er, I started walking behind
The stories of Compa Nan- Even the soldier guarding ber, took the crown off zi immediately jumped out. them and gained their trust
zi were a sign of hope for the castle door was fast Nanzi’s head and pushed Before the herder could pretty quickly. At the bot-
freedom among the slaves, asleep, snoring so loud that him in a sack. even take a look into the tom of the ocean there are
who passed around differ- his beard bounced up and Nanzi was terrified; it looks sack, Nanzi pushed him in so many wonderful things,
ent stories involving the fa- down on his chin. Nanzi just like this time he won’t get it, and the herder fell head like diamonds, and bags of
mous spider through word slipped past him, looked away with his schemes. first in. gold. Chests of silver and
of mouth, due to not being back for a moment then To get to the ocean, the Nanzi didn’t waste any other precious stones,”
able to express their native walk right on in. soldier walked a long dis- time, and closed off the Nanzi told the king.
culture in the new world. Nanzi stumbled upon the tance, and where begin- sack real tight. He then “What is that you say?” the
These stories were a way to king’s quarters. With all his ning to feel very thirsty. picked up the herder’s hat king was intrigued. “I want
Luckily they passed by a and starting walking be- to see it too!”
pub, and decided to have hind the traveling sheep as The king immediately de-
a nice cold beer. They set if nothing happened. After manded to his soldiers to
the sack with Nanzi in it out- a little while, the soldiers be put in a sack and be
side and went to enjoy the headed back outside to placed in the ocean. Nat-
refreshments. Nanzi was still continue their journey. As urally, Shon Arei died be-
trembling with fear in the they picked up the sack, cause of this. He was never
sack. the poor herder started found again. Nanzi fol-
What is that he hears? A screaming to let him out, lowed the soldier back to
herd of sheep walking by? but the soldiers ignored the castle, where sat once
“Compadre, listen here!” him, thinking it was Nanzi. again on the late king’s
Nanzi screamed as loud as Shon Arei went strolling a thrown and put his crown
he could. The sheep herd- while later. He thought to on. He took possession of all
er got close to the sack. himself: “This time Nanzi of Shon Arei’s belongings,
“What is this?” could not get away with and lived the rest of his life
“Man, there is something his foolishness. He probably as king.
very beautiful in here that drowned in that sack ages
you can see. It’s very rare ago.” That is why, when he Story and pictures are from
and strange, but indeed, saw Nanzi walk behind the “Kon Nanzi a Nek Shon Arei (i
there is something so beau- herd of sheep on the street, otro kuentanan antiano di e
tiful in here that you’ve he was flabbergasted araña sabi)” by Nilda Pinto.
never seen or will ever see,” again. “Nanzi! Aren’t you