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Thursday 20 June 2024 locAl
A10

The stories of “Compa Nanzi”

(Oranjestad)—The most back for a moment then opened the sack, and Nan-
popular character you may walk right on in. zi immediately jumped out.
hear about in the Carib- Nanzi stumbled upon the Before the herder could
bean is Anansi, known lo- king’s quarters. With all his even take a look into the
cally on Aruba as “Compa excitement he sat in the sack, Nanzi pushed him in
Nanzi”. Local children grew king’s throne, and put on it, and the herder fell head
up hearing the tales of the his crown that was hanging first in.
conniving spider, and his on the side of the throne. It Nanzi didn’t waste any
legacy forms part of the was very hot that day, and time, and closed off the
oral narrative tradition that it wasn’t long until Nanzi sack real tight. He then
is common in Aruba. too fell asleep, right there picked up the herder’s hat
on the king’s throne. He and starting walking be-
Although the stories are was so deep in sleep and hind the traveling sheep as
most popular in the Carib- snoring so loud, that even if nothing happened. After
bean, “Compa Nanzi” is not when the king found him in a little while, the soldiers
entirely unknown globally, his seat, Nanzi did not even headed back outside to
especially not in the West notice. continue their journey. As
African region. Brought to Shon Arei was flabbergast- they picked up the sack,
the “new world” by en- ed by the sight of Nanzi the poor herder started
slaved Africans from Gha- on his throne, wearing his screaming to let him out,
na, the historical thread of crown. How disrespect- but the soldiers ignored
how Nanzi was introduced ful! “Soldiers, get him!” he him, thinking it was Nanzi.
on Aruba follows the en- commanded. Nanzi was Shon Arei went strolling a
slaved Africans in Cura- sound asleep, but when while later. He thought to
cao during the colonial the soldiers picked him up, himself: “This time Nanzi
era, which saw the biggest he jumped from fright. By could not get away with
population of enslaved Af- then though, the soldier al- his foolishness. He probably
ricans in the Dutch Carib- ready had him in their hold. drowned in that sack ages

bean. “Put him in a sack, stitch ago.” That is why, when he
The stories of Compa Nan- it up and throw him in the saw Nanzi walk behind the
zi were a sign of hope for ocean!” the king said furi- herd of sheep on the street,
freedom among the slaves, ously. Two soldiers imme- he was flabbergasted
who passed around differ- diately entered the cham- again. “Nanzi! Aren’t you
ent stories involving the fa- ber, took the crown off suppose to be at the bot-
mous spider through word Nanzi’s head and pushed tom of the ocean floor?”
of mouth, due to not being him in a sack. “I was, Your Majesty,” Nanzi
able to express their native Nanzi was terrified; it looks replied. But you know what,
culture in the new world. like this time he won’t get there is so many things to
These stories were a way to away with his schemes. see down there in the sack!
not only preserve their cul- To get to the ocean, the Like this herd of sheep. See-
ture, but it acted as a me- soldier walked a long dis- ing that they had no herd-
dium for relief during the tance, and where begin- er, I started walking behind
harsh treatment to which ning to feel very thirsty. them and gained their trust
they were subjected to. Luckily they passed by a pretty quickly. At the bot-
It wasn’t until the end of the pub, and decided to have tom of the ocean there are
nineteenth century that the a nice cold beer. They set so many wonderful things,
stories of Nanzi were written the sack with Nanzi in it out- like diamonds, and bags of
down in different languag- side and went to enjoy the gold. Chests of silver and
es. However, not all stories refreshments. Nanzi was still other precious stones,”
are completely alike in ev- trembling with fear in the Nanzi told the king.
ery country, as is the risk of sack. “What is that you say?” the
oral story telling. However, What is that he hears? A king was intrigued. “I want
one thing will always be herd of sheep walking by? to see it too!”
dominant in Compa Nan- “Compadre, listen here!” The king immediately de-
zi’s stories: his sneaky ways Nanzi screamed as loud as manded to his soldiers
to get what he wants! he could. The sheep herd- to be put in a sack and
How Nanzi fooled the king er got close to the sack. be placed in the ocean.
One day Nanzi was taking “What is this?” Naturally, Shon Arei died
a stroll near the castle of “Man, there is something because of this. He was
Shon Arei, the king. He had very beautiful in here that never found again. Nanzi
this sudden urge to walk in. you can see. It’s very rare followed the soldier back
He didn’t think too much and strange, but indeed, to the castle, where sat
about it and committed to there is something so beau- once again on the late
what he had in mind. It was tiful in here that you’ve king’s thrown and put his
a warm afternoon, and the never seen or will ever see,” crown on. He took posses-
castle personnel were tak- Nanzi told the herder. sion of all of Shon Arei’s be-
ing their afternoon nap. The herder, very dumb, be- longings, and lived the rest
Even the soldier guarding lieved Nanzi’s word. “Let of his life as king.
the castle door was fast me see!” he said. Story and pictures are from
asleep, snoring so loud that “Well if you must insist,” “Kon Nanzi a Nek Shon Arei
his beard bounced up and Nanzi said, “I’ll let you (i otro kuentanan antiano
down on his chin. Nanzi just take a look, but only for a di e araña sabi)” by Nilda
slipped past him, looked quick second.” The herder Pinto.q