Page 23 - AHATA

Thursday 8 May 2025 locAl
A10

The legend of the Kibrahacha tree

(Oranjestad)— As the cli-
mate begins to dry up here, When they arrived at the
the Kibrahacha is ready to tree, they saw that it was
bloom. Known locally for covered head to toe in
its bright, yellow flowers, this thorns, with only a few closed
special tree only blooms for flowers at the very top. Ku-
three to four days only. Scien- dawecha, experienced
tifically known as Tabebuia veteran in all things Aruban
billbergii, and in English as flora and fauna, told Aretima
the Yellow Poui, this tree is to start plucking the thorns
native to the Caribbean is- of the tree to climb to the
lands of Aruba, Bonaire and top where the flowers are.
Curacao, and is considered Aretima, just as determined hut, Aretima’s mother quickly
among locals as one of the only one among its neighbor- Aterima wasted to time and to save her father, didn’t made a tea out of the flow-
most spectacular trees on ing trees to start blooming went to go fetch Kudawe- hesitate to start. ers and gave it to her sick
the island. But did you also first. cha. Upon telling Kudawe- husband. Miraculously, after
know that the beautiful yel- cha that her father was sick, To her surprise, every time just one sip of the tea, the
low flowers have a story be- The legend of the Kibraha- he immediately accompa- she plucked a thorn of the father’s fever left his body im-
hind them? cha nied Aretima back to her hut, tree, a bright, yellow flower mediately, and he opened
Written by Hubert (Lio Booi) where he encountered her bloomed in its place. The eyes and sprung up feeling
The Kibrahacha is said to father in a bad state. Not will- thorns were hard to pluck new.
have extremely hard wood— One day Aterima, who lived ing to waste any time, he told out, but Aretima continued
so hard that it can break an west of the hill Sero War- Aretima that the only thing plucking with enthusiasm The next morning, they all
axe. In fact, that’s what its awara, woke up one day to that can cure her father is and wonder at the unfold- visited the same Kibraha-
name means in Papiamen- find her father sleeping in his a home-made potion made ing sight before her. Not too cha tree that saved the life
to: “kibra” (break) “hacha” hammock, suffering a bout out of the Kibrahacha flower. long after she was able to of Aretima’s father and they
(axe). The flowers bloom of terrible fever. Her mother At the time the Kibrahacha fill her entire satchel with the saw another miracle. The
around April and May, but was very worried, and as was was not yet in her blooming yellow flowers. Kudawecha, tree was covered again in
this only last for about three the custom in the olden days, season, but the stubborn Ku- satisfied to see Aretima so the same bright, yellow flow-
to four days, as the flow- asked Aterima to go fetch dawecha was determined happy and encouraged ers, with not a thorn in sight.
ers start to fall off and the Kudawecha, who was a to bring back Aretima’s fa- to help her father, took her And as the legend goes,
tree starts growing its green epistemophile, to come see ther back to health, and so back to her hut. from that day on, the Kibra-
leaves. The Kibrahacha is es- his father. off they went to the nearest hacha tree no longer pro-
pecially particular, as it’s the Kibrahacha tree. Upon arriving back at the duced any more thorns. q

Aruban snacks and where to find them

ORANJESTAD — Want to taste some-
thing different for a change? How
about some Aruban snacks that you
can find all around the island? Hop
in your car, and go to these loca-
tions to find some of the most popular
and tasty snacks that are beloved
by our locals.

One of the staples of Aruban cuisine
and snacks is the Pastechi. Pastechi
is a Caribbean fried pastry that is that stretches from San Nicolas to
filled with cheese, meat, chicken, the Hotel Area. You can also find
veggies and sometimes even fish! pastechis and krokets at local baker-
Or perhaps you might want to try a ies and snack shops, like Bright Bak-
croquette, locally called a “kroket,” ery in Piedra Plat, Huchada in Santa
which is a crusty fried snack with typi- Cruz or Pastechi House in the city
cally a meat and dough mix filling. center. These places may also sell some creaminess. However, you can ice vendor:
The Aruban kroket is based on its other snacks and sandwiches too, also ask to hold the milk. Batidos are 1. Right next to the Red Anchor in
Dutch counterpart, the “bitterbal”. perfect for on-the-road lunch break. commonly found in snack shops too. San Nicolas, on the way to Baby
You may find some batido shops Beach.
These two snacks are typically found While you’re at it, why not accom- next the flee markets downtown, or 2. Along the main road next to the
in all local snack trucks, which can pany your snack with a refreshing if you’re on your way to San Nicolas, airport field.
be found all over the island, includ- “batido”? Batidos are fruit shakes, at Mauchi Smoothies and Juice Bar 3. At the California Light House.
ing on the side of the main road typically made with added milk for in Savaneta (located at the side of 4. At the Alto Vista Chapel.
the main road).
These vendors may also sell other
If you are looking for something a delights, like the beloved coconut-
bit more fresh and healthy, why not based dessert “cocada” or peanuts.
try some coconuts, or shaved ice All in all, in Aruba, you can always
from local vendors? These vendors find some place to take a break and
carry their little shop at the back of have a bite of something local, you
their truck, so they are ever-moving maybe just might have to look for
around the island. However, there them!q
are a few spots where you can al-
most always find a coconut/shaved Photo credit: wheninaruba.com