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Monday 22 July 2024 LOCAL
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Adriaan Laclé

One of Aruba’s richest men in the twentieth century

the eldest of six children. Not much
is known about his childhood up-
bringing or any of his earlier busi-
ness ordeals, but during his hay day
he often helped people get loans,
was a well-established trader, and
owned several plots of land. In fact,
he commissioned the construction
of the famous La Quinta Carmen
manor—now a restaurant. Though
he himself never lived in the beautiful
manor, his own house also reflected
his success and good taste. Today his
house still stands in good condition
and can be found in the back streets
of main street Oranjestad.
Regarding his personal life, it has
been said that he was married
twice during his lifetime. He had his
(Oranjestad)—The name Adriaan first daughter during his first marriage and Maria Veneranda Laclé, who house stands on the opposite side
Laclé may ring a bell to locals as one but lost his wife soon after her birth. went on to marry successful brothers of the road to them—though cur-
of the bigger roads on the island, but During his second marriage, he fa- Eloy Arends and Maximilian Arends, rently under renovation after years
about a century ago, Adriaan Laclé thered 16 children. However, it has respectively. Their houses are still left in ruin.q
was a rich businessman, well-known been said that only 11 of those 17 standing; Eloy and Maria Monica’s
for his generosity, wealth, and taste. made it past 18 years of age. Per- mansion functions as a townhall, Source: De Kolibrie op de Rots (en
haps two of his most well-known used to host civil marriages, while meer over de geschiedenis van
Adriaan was born in 1866 and was daughters are Maria Monica Laclé Maximilian and Maria Veneranda’s Aruba) by Evert Bongers.

Episode 143 - Manaure of the Caquetios

Manaure was our legendary great chief of peccable conduct, inordinate power of
the South-Western Caribben and North-West shrewd understanding and strong character.
main land area, what today is Venezuela. He recognized in those times as a "man of
A great strategist and strong nation warrior his word" because what he said he did. He
statesman. He lived in a very large town wrote his name in history, as he was one of
called Todariquiba, located nearby the the few indigenous monarchs (caciques) in
banks of a river by the name of Rio Mitare, South America to negotiate with the Spanish But the good relations with the Spanish would soon end
in Northwestern Venezuela. This Mitare River colonization in the early 16th century. Man- when King Charles the V in 1528, faced with the debts
flows through a dry Paraguana xeric scrub aure came into contact with the Spaniards he had contracted with the German bankers, Breached
ecoregion*, dividing then into the Pedregal around 1523 through his Vassal Caciques, his contractual agreement with Manaure and decided
and Paraíso rivers which empties both into who informed Juan Martín de Ampíes, who to cede the administration of the province to the Welser
the gulf of Coro in the Caribbean. was in Aruba at the time, of the interest in House of Augsburg, things turned sour. Augsburg who had
peace negotiations for the mutual agree- no respect for the already existing alliance appointed a
Native legends mentions Manaure as an in- ment of the two parties in the region. Thus, new governor a few years later, Ambrosio Alfinger, who
teligent and brave person, who upon obtain- through his emissaries, Manaure established initiated an important indigenous depopulation masacre
ing the position of Cacique, was conferred an alliance with Ampíes. Ampíes had to suf- in the province. This was also the end of all prosperity in
legal, magical and of spiritual convictions, fer in his own flesh, the sale of slaves and the region.
he was the only one to hold such important indigenous people among merchants from The Germans seize canoes and all that were property of the
type of chiefdom compaired to what was Santo Domingo. In this situation, 150 of the nation and that of Manaure, who, upon claiming them, is
common in those days in Europe. He was indigenous people and some relatives of imprisoned. While Ampíes was expelled and stripped of all
carried in special made hammock throne Manaure found themselves kidnapped to his position, he would later return to Curaçao and Aruba in
litters by his warrios. He was described as be sold as slaves in 1525. Thanks to the dip- support of Manaures campaing. Some time later, Manaure
having an overwhelming personality, im- lomatic relations between the two parties, was released and forced to leave for some (250-300 km)
Ampíes managed to rescue, together with away from Coro, taking refuge with his family. He started
his agent, a good number of indigenous a gerilla campaign against the Germans who all ready
people, including all the relatives of Man- had mercenaries on his search. He was ambushed and
aure. executed one site in 1549 in one of the numerous battle
Grateful, Manaure sealed the first alliance, against the Conquistador mercenaries, in what is now the
than later Baptized by Ampíes with the name City of El Tocuyo.
of "Martín" and thus followed by the Foun- Our goal is to raise cultural awareness, promote education
dation of the City of Santa Ana de Coro in and safeguard our heritage as the sacred mother seed
Venezuela - on July 26, 1527 in the name of guiding you to be the next guardian of the island. If you
the Spanish Chatolic Crown. This area has love Aruba its origins and its cultural heritage, be part of
been an enormus productive trade zone the exclusive visitors of this cozy home-atelier called "Etnia
long berfore old world colonization started. Nativa". This private residential houses collections of native
Article by: Etnia Nativa art, archaeological artifacts and historic furniture, while
the facilities themselves are the result of the transformation
Whatsapp us +297 592 2702 and book of recycled materials. Meet the acclaimed columnist at
your Aruban exprerience home! Book your visit Whatsapp + 297 592 2702- or mail:
Etnia Nativa is close to the high rise hotels etnianativa03@gmail.comq