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local Wednesday 8 January 2025

Shedding light on Aruba’s history Episode CCLXXXV-285

The narrative shared through Etnia Nativa, which means native inhabitants, but it also strives to
native ethnicity, emphasizes the importance of reclaim- contribute to a more honest and inclusive
ing and recognizing the island’s cultural roots and heri- discussion about Aruba’s identity and its
tage, which have often been overshadowed by colonial future, moving away from colonial narra-
history. The entity actively engages in promoting the val- tives and practices that have long shaped
ue of rediscovering native traditions, history and identi- the island’s cultural and social structures.
ties, while highlighting the importance of moving beyond In 1635, the Dutch West India Company
colonial influences or submissive behavior. employed some indigenous people as
hunting servants. In exchange for their la-
A significant theme is the acknowledgment of the persis- bor, they were given basic provisions such
tent colonial legacy in Aruba, which continues to shape as clothing, shoes, and, for the first time,
the collective mindset. The influence of both Spanish and full rations of bread and “agua ardiente” instructions aimed at “civilizing” the indig-
Dutch colonialism on Aruba and the broader Caribbe- (a type of alcohol). Although these indi- enous people. These instructions empha-
an region is crucial for understanding how educational viduals were officially considered “free,” sized converting them to Christianity and
systems and ideologies have been influenced by these their living conditions were harsh, and their promoting a “decent” lifestyle, which the
colonial powers. The way historical narratives are often freedom was severely limited by the eco- Company defined according to Europe-
framed through the lens of the colonizers resulting in a nomic and social structures of the time. an norms. The education of indigenous
skewed perception of the past, one that needs to be Their status, though legally not enslaved, children was particularly emphasized, as
challenged for a more authentic understanding. was shaped by the demands of the colo- the Company sought to change what it
nial economy. considered “barbaric practices” through
Etnia Nativa reflects on the contrasting realities under A court case from around 1804 in Aruba efforts to encourage agricultural work,
the Spanish and Dutch colonial regimes. Under Spanish sheds light on the restrictions placed on the fishing, or other forms of labor. Idleness
rule, indigenous peoples enjoyed some political recogni- indigenous population. It concluded that was viewed as a vice, and the Compa-
tion, as Spain treated their kingdoms as equal to those while indigenous people were allowed to ny believed that engaging indigenous
of Europe. However, this acknowledgment was far from raise goats and sheep, they were prohib- people in work would prevent them from
the lived reality, where natives were still subjected to ex- ited from raising donkeys, horses, or cows. falling into what they saw as undesirable
ploitation, or forced labor, and various forms of violence This limitation suggests that their econom- behaviors.
through systems like encomienda; a so-called grant by ic autonomy was tightly controlled, as the Thus, while Dutch rule theoretically offered
the Spanish Crown to colonists in America conferring the colonial authorities sought to regulate and legal protections for indigenous people—
right to demand tribute and forced labor from the Indian restrict indigenous involvement in certain prohibiting their enslavement—the reality
inhabitants of an area. economic activities. was far more complicated.q
Under Dutch rule, the situation for indigenous people was Moreover, Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire If you enjoyed reading our stories and
legally different. The Dutch colonial system theoretically hosted a population of “red slaves”—in- are interested in learning more regard-
provided indigenous peoples with rights as free citizens, digenous people who had been captured ing the true identity of the island, we
not subject to the brutal enslavement practices seen un- in conflicts on the mainland and brought recommend you to book a visit to Etnia
der the Spanish. However, the gap between legal rights to the islands by tribal chiefs. These cap- Nativa—the only “living museum of its
and the lived experience of the indigenous populations tives, often young children, were taken kind in the Caribbean”—a fascinating
persisted. While there were some protections in place, during times of war and served various choice, a trend-setter since 1994 and
these were often undermined by exploitation and severe roles within the colonial economy. By the co-founder of Islands National Park, Ar-
deprivation. The indigenous populations were theoreti- 19th century, many of these individuals chaeological Museum Aruba and Ar-
cally protected from enslavement, yet they faced other were living on the islands, speaking their tisan Foundation among others. Etnia
forms of systemic oppression. native languages, and continuing to be Nativa shares valuable knowledge and
The work of Etnia Nativa in shedding light on these con- marginalized in the colonial social hierar- connects you to the ancient island’s
trasting historical narratives serves a dual purpose: not chy. spirit and soul. Whats App +297 592 2702
only does it honor the resilience and history of our island’s The Dutch West India Company issued etnianativa03@gmail.com