Page 13 - HOH

Thursday 20 November 2025 locAl
A10

Aruba: The island of Aloes

industry of aloe in Aruba.

Aloe vera was introduced in
Aruba around 1840, when
most of the island’s inhab-
itants were farmers of little
means. Dutch Governor Van
Raders introduced the plant
after it had been introduced
in other islands of the Carib-
bean to cultivate and har-
vest the aloe to produce the
laxative.

Around 1920, about two-
thirds of Aruba was aloe nomic impact, particularly The impact and relevance
fields, earning our island for the local farmers. of aloe is visible all around
the nickname “The Island Aruba. While most homes will
of Aloes.” However, by the time the oil have a few plants for per-
industry arrived on Aruba, it sonal use and decoration,
Under Commander Jan changed the labor market houses are also decorated
Helenus Ferguson (1866- on Aruba, shifting away from with aloe motifs, and at some
1871), aloe experienced a
ORANJESTAD – Aloe Vera, a The leaves of Aloe Vera con- boom, which is why there agriculture. It would be af- point, aloe even featured on
succulent plant species, is tain a good amount of gel is a road named after him, ter World War II that aloe post stamps. Around 1920,
renowned for its incredible which when used topically, which goes through the aloe would make a comeback. about two-thirds of Aruba
And eventually, as science was aloe fields, earning our
properties for the skin. It is is great for the skin. Tradition- fields. In the 19th century,
widely distributed and usu- ally, Arubans use this gel to Aruba was the main supplier learned about the amazing island the nickname “The Is-
ally grows in tropical, semi- treat minor burns and other of aloin for laxative, which properties of aloe gel, the in- land of Aloes.” And in 1955,
tropical and arid climates skin ailments, or just to keep was imported abroad to the dustry shifted from produc- the aloe became a part of
ing laxative to producing skin Aruba’s coat of arms, sym-
on the planet. But this plant skin supple and looking United States and Europe.
also had a very prominent bright and nourished. Aside The aloin from Aruba and care. An interesting fact is bolizing prosperity for the
role in the history of Aruba, from the gel, aloe contains Curaçao was known to be that in 1951, the production island.q
and its significance to the a bitter, yellow substance one of the best in the world of Aruban aloe amounted Images from the archive of
to around 30 percent of the
island’s economy endures (called aloin) which is a and was more expensive, the National Library of Aruba.
to this day. gentle but powerful laxative, which meant that at the total global production!
and it is also the origin of the time, it had significant eco-

Planning on snorkeling? Get to know our Candelchi!

ORANJESTAD—If you’re a common, yet shy fish that Agriculture, Livestock, and Candelchi, Squirrelfish, Ho- Over at our sister island
ever planning on snorkel- swims all year long in the Fisheries, known as Santa locentrus adscensionis: Curaçao, they are called
ing during your vacation on waters of Aruba. Rosa, offers this informative Candelchi actually refers to “bari di clabo” (nail barrel)
Aruba, you may spot fish article that illustrates some the entire squirrelfish family for that reason.
that you can’t recognize. Let’s talk about the names fish and their names in Pa- or, as some say, when we
One of these may be the of fish. Do you know your piamento. say candelchi, we mean In our waters, there are 7 to
“Candelchi” (Squirrelfish), fish? The Department of several different species 8 types or species present
but without distinguishing and they are sometimes
them by species. In this caught and seen occa-
picture, we are showing sionally. They can be distin-
the most common one in guished by different marks
our waters, which is called such as color on the dorsal
squirrelfish in English or sci- spine or marks on the body.
entifically known as Holo-
centrus adscensionis. In Aruba:
Candelchi are found on
Under candelchi, we in Aru- reefs or areas with structure
ba generally refer to all the in the water where they
different species of squir- can hide. Although they
relfish. They all look alike prefer to hunt for food at
and it’s really difficult to dis- night, they are also active
tinguish between them. during the day. They are
edible and delicious when
The squirrelfish family is dis- prepared dry and crispy
tinguished by the following with lime. It is particularly
characteristics. They are challenging to scale the
heart-shaped with pink or fish, which is why it is not
red hues and often show one of the favorites among
heart-shaped streaks be- fishermen. They often live in
tween the scales along groups.q
the body. They have hard
fins and are always armed.