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local Friday 15 November 2024
Ever heard of the cah’i orgel?

A key instrument in Aruban folklore music

(Oranjestad)—The cah’i or- and successfully debuted
gel music box is an impor- it on the streets of Barqui- As mentioned, the cah’i
tant and unique instrument simeto. Back in Curacao, orgel is a music box. made
that is used on the ABC is- he started his own cah’i from mahogany wood, it
lands in the Dutch Carib- orgel business along with contains a cylinder with a
bean. This instrument is a his brother Luis. In Aruba, it maximum of eight music
staple in our folklore music, is said that the cah’i orgel pieces. By rotating the lever
and its significance in the was introduced by Rufo on the front side of the box,
traditions of Aruba has and Wever, who later in his ca- the cah’i orgel produces
continues to bring together reer became one of the music similar to that of a pi-
the old and young. composers for the Aruban ano, and is accompanied
national anthem. often by someone else
The origin of the cah’i or- playing the “wiri”, a percus-
gel is said to have come Rufo Wever was a young sion instrument made out
from Europe around 150 musician in 1937 when he of steel and reminiscent
years ago. A cross breed established his own cah’i to the Spanish guiro. Back
between the barrel piano orgel business on the island. then, you would often also
and the organ, the most Before that he experiment- find someone playing the
popular stories said that the ed with his uncle’s cah’i or- triangle alongside the cah’i
instrument came from ei- gel, and he over the years orgel and wiri. In Aruba, the
ther England or Germany, he learned to build and re- cah’i orgel and wiri is used
but made its way to Italy pair the instrument. In fact, for traditional music genres,
down to Venezuela, where he was incredibly skilled in such as the Aruban waltz,
in 1881, Mr. Horatio Sprock this, and he was one of the tumba, mazurka and more.
(1866-1949) from Curacao few to have recognized Parabirsing-Balentina and Ni-
was first introduced to it. from the start that the cah’i Fun fact: another name for Source: “E Cilinder Magico dia Rosaria-Wallé.
After that, Sprock made his orgel is an instrument that the cah’i orgel is the “tin- entre Aruba y Curaçao” by
own cah’i orgel “Josefina”, needs preserving. gilingi box.” Marilyn Alcalá-Wallé, Herta

Visit the historic museum at Fort Zoutman!

(Oranjestad)—Located in 5-story, squared tower was
the middle of downtown not part of the original
Oranjestad, situated right structure of the fort, and
next to the government is actually called “Willem
building “Cocolishi”, is one III Toren”. Constructed in
of the oldest buildings of 1867, this tower was named
Aruba: Fort Zoutman. First after the then-reigning king
constructed in 1796, this of The Netherlands, Willem
site has been used (or left III. Willem III Toren was origi-
unused) in many ways and nally a light tower, but after
have survived eras of war a request from Lieutenant
and attempted disman- Governor Jan Helenus in
tling. 1866, it also became a bell
tower.
When anyone refers to Fort The fort itself was originally
Zoutman, they are actu- constructed to protect
ally referring to two sepa- the commerce bay of
rate buildings that, over the Paardenbaai from pirates Willem III Toren, Fort Zout- unwanted members of the Historic Museum guards a
years, have been merged: and other disreputable man had a more tumul- English military several times rich depository of the com-
the fort and the tower. characters roaming the tuous past, including the (The Netherlands was at mercial, military and social
That’s right, the iconic Caribbean Sea. Unlike the on-and-off reception of constant war with England history of Oranjestad, offer-
back in the colonial era). ing a glance into how the
Over the years, both the social culture of the town
fort and the tower had came to be. If you are in-
functioned as different terested in history and want
government center points, to learn more about Aruba,
including a tax and stamps then Fort Zoutman should
office. For some time these definitely be included into
two buildings also housed your itinerary.
a police precinct and jail, The museum is open Mon-
and even experienced day to Friday from 9am-
abandonment until the Cul- 6pm, and Saturday from
tural Center Aruba Founda- 10am-2pm.
tion (CCA) petitioned for its
renovation in 1964, turning Source: The Old Fort of Aruba
the site into the Historic Mu- by Jan Hartog.
seum it currently is.
Despite its small size, The