Page 10 - AHATA

Saturday 20 July 2024 locAl
A10

The stories of “Compa Nanzi”

(Oranjestad)—The most not only preserve their cul- king’s throne, and put on
popular character you may ture, but it acted as a me- his crown that was hanging
hear about in the Carib- dium for relief during the on the side of the throne. It
bean is Anansi, known lo- harsh treatment to which was very hot that day, and
cally on Aruba as “Compa they were subjected to. it wasn’t long until Nanzi
Nanzi”. Local children grew It wasn’t until the end of the too fell asleep, right there
up hearing the tales of the nineteenth century that the on the king’s throne. He
conniving spider, and his stories of Nanzi were written was so deep in sleep and
legacy forms part of the down in different languag- snoring so loud, that even
oral narrative tradition that es. However, not all stories when the king found him in
is common in Aruba. are completely alike in ev- his seat, Nanzi did not even
ery country, as is the risk of notice.
Although the stories are oral story telling. However, Shon Arei was flabbergast-
most popular in the Carib- one thing will always be ed by the sight of Nanzi
bean, “Compa Nanzi” is not dominant in Compa Nan- on his throne, wearing his
entirely unknown globally, zi’s stories: his sneaky ways crown. How disrespect-
especially not in the West to get what he wants! ful! “Soldiers, get him!” he
African region. Brought to How Nanzi fooled the king commanded. Nanzi was
the “new world” by en- One day Nanzi was taking sound asleep, but when
slaved Africans from Gha- a stroll near the castle of the soldiers picked him up,
na, the historical thread of Shon Arei, the king. He had he jumped from fright. By
how Nanzi was introduced this sudden urge to walk in. then though, the soldier al-
on Aruba follows the en- He didn’t think too much ready had him in their hold. pub, and decided to have Shon Arei went strolling a
slaved Africans in Cura- about it and committed to “Put him in a sack, stitch a nice cold beer. They set while later. He thought to
cao during the colonial what he had in mind. It was it up and throw him in the the sack with Nanzi in it out- himself: “This time Nanzi
era, which saw the biggest a warm afternoon, and the ocean!” the king said furi- side and went to enjoy the could not get away with
population of enslaved Af- castle personnel were tak- ously. Two soldiers imme- refreshments. Nanzi was still his foolishness. He probably
ricans in the Dutch Carib- ing their afternoon nap. diately entered the cham- trembling with fear in the drowned in that sack ages
bean. Even the soldier guarding ber, took the crown off sack. ago.” That is why, when he
The stories of Compa Nan- the castle door was fast Nanzi’s head and pushed What is that he hears? A saw Nanzi walk behind the
zi were a sign of hope for asleep, snoring so loud that him in a sack. herd of sheep walking by? herd of sheep on the street,
freedom among the slaves, his beard bounced up and Nanzi was terrified; it looks “Compadre, listen here!” he was flabbergasted
who passed around differ- down on his chin. Nanzi just like this time he won’t get Nanzi screamed as loud as again. “Nanzi! Aren’t you
ent stories involving the fa- slipped past him, looked away with his schemes. he could. The sheep herd- suppose to be at the bot-
mous spider through word back for a moment then To get to the ocean, the er got close to the sack. tom of the ocean floor?”
of mouth, due to not being walk right on in. soldier walked a long dis- “What is this?” “I was, Your Majesty,” Nanzi
able to express their native Nanzi stumbled upon the tance, and where begin- “Man, there is something replied. But you know what,
culture in the new world. king’s quarters. With all his ning to feel very thirsty. very beautiful in here that there is so many things to
These stories were a way to excitement he sat in the Luckily they passed by a you can see. It’s very rare see down there in the sack!
and strange, but indeed, Like this herd of sheep. See-
there is something so beau- ing that they had no herd-
tiful in here that you’ve er, I started walking behind
never seen or will ever see,” them and gained their trust
Nanzi told the herder. pretty quickly. At the bot-
The herder, very dumb, be- tom of the ocean there are
lieved Nanzi’s word. “Let so many wonderful things,
me see!” he said. like diamonds, and bags of
“Well if you must insist,” gold. Chests of silver and
Nanzi said, “I’ll let you other precious stones,”
take a look, but only for a Nanzi told the king.
quick second.” The herder “What is that you say?” the
opened the sack, and Nan- king was intrigued. “I want
zi immediately jumped out. to see it too!”
Before the herder could The king immediately de-
even take a look into the manded to his soldiers
sack, Nanzi pushed him in to be put in a sack and
it, and the herder fell head be placed in the ocean.
first in. Naturally, Shon Arei died
Nanzi didn’t waste any because of this. He was
time, and closed off the never found again. Nanzi
sack real tight. He then followed the soldier back
picked up the herder’s hat to the castle, where sat
and starting walking be- once again on the late
hind the traveling sheep as king’s thrown and put his
if nothing happened. After crown on. He took posses-
a little while, the soldiers sion of all of Shon Arei’s be-
headed back outside to longings, and lived the rest
continue their journey. As of his life as king.
they picked up the sack, Story and pictures are from
the poor herder started “Kon Nanzi a Nek Shon Arei
screaming to let him out, (i otro kuentanan antiano
but the soldiers ignored di e araña sabi)” by Nilda
him, thinking it was Nanzi. Pinto.q