Page 21 - AHATA

Monday 12 May 2025 locAl
A10

Aruba’s neighborhoods; the meaning behind their names

Just like any other coun-
try, Aruba has unique and
beautifully named neighbor-
hoods that all form a part of
its culture and development.
Many of these names have
a historical background and
meaning that teaches us
about the island and its rich
culture every day.

With this series, we want to
take you on a journey of dis- there isn’t much information word Anaiboa, which con- and latero n Korps Marin- given by a tenant to the land
covery, where you’ll learn about its origin. sists of Ana meaning flower or iers (the marines of Aruba). that was rented to him.
not only the beautiful names the best and Iboa; the juice By the end of the previous
but the history behind it that The best historians were able of a cassava, which together century a large part of Ana- The biggest probability that
gives it life and meaning. to deduce is that this name would mean “the best juice bui was developed to have historians believe is that it
came to be because of a of a cassava”. luxurious villas and a golf comes from native descent,
Anabui/Tierra Del Sol miscommunication between course, which lead to it get- during the time in the 19th
This neighborhood can be Van Spengler and the na- If one assumes that the actu- ting the name Tierra Del Sol, century where Mestizos still
seen on Van Raders map tives who were living on the al word heard was Anaboio Spanish for Land of the Sun. lived on Aruba. The name
and Werbata as Anna Boei. island. In the Arawak/Taino instead, consisting of Ana The name is not an official can’t really be explain and
Anna Boei is a name of which language one can find the meaning the best and Boio name, but the name of the according to books on its his-
(bohio); house, the iteration development proyect that tory seems to be more of a
of Anabui would mean “the took place. It is hoped that sign of corruption.
best house.” This is the origin the original and ‘old’ name
that has been more or less of Anabui is never lost and However, it seems to come
speculated and assumed now it will be remembered from combining A(n), which
for the word Anabui and it’s by both locals and tourists. is a generalizing prefix and
meaning. Goeiza, which means ‘the
Angochi spirit of a living man’. Ango-
During the second world This name can be seen on chi remains more of a guess.
war and later, this area was the Werbata map with little
used as a terrain for train- and cursive letters. It is the This neighborhood’s abbre-
ing of shooting by militia unofficial name for the area viation is; An.q

Aruba’s Nature is to be Cherished

ST. CRUZ — The national park takes you on a memorable on the beach: a majestic
Arikok comprises almost 18 journey of the islands past Leatherback (Dermochelys
% of the island. Its rugged offering unique geological, coriacea) heads back to sea
terrain, desert-like hills filled cultural and historical sites. after laying her eggs, while
with tall cacti, breathtaking These can all be enjoyed another nest laid 2 months
coastline and protected lo- and explored either on your ago by the same female
cal flora and fauna welcome own or during guided tours. A hatches. A very rare occur-
you to be explored. There is wide variety of educational rence of daytime nesting
numerous wildlife to discover and informative programs and hatching. Sea turtles
like for example the sea tur- and fun activities is available. prefer nesting in the cool and
tle who lays his eggs on the Did you know that four of dark hours of the night. And
park’s beaches. There are the in total seven species hatchlings usually wait for the
more places on the island of sea turtle lay their eggs cue of cooling surface sand
that are a preserved area on Aruba's beaches? In the before emerging. flattened bill from side to side on about the effect certain
like the Bubali Plas which is national park, a Least Tern to catch small fish, crustae- activities have on our na-
a bird sanctuary. (Sternula antillarum) keeps a Bubali Magic ceans and other aquatic ture, for example the ATV
strict eye on a very special This beautiful close-up image invertebrates. The Roseate vehicles cause a lot of dust,
The national park Arikok event taking place below of the pink bird is courtesy Spoonbill remains an un- noise and leave tire tracks.
of Michiel Oversteegen of common sight as they are Animals live in these areas
the Aruba Birdlife Conserva- vulnerable to degradation of where the vehicles run, of-
tion. This important founda- feeding and nesting habitats ten with high speed and with
tion showcases and builds (Wetlands). (Source: arikok detrimental consequences
awareness of Aruba’s birds national park) to flora and fauna. Motor-
and other native flora and ized vehicles are forbidden
fauna. You may have seen a The aforementioned is just to drive on the sand dunes
‘pink cloud’ lately at the Bub- a part of what Aruba’s na- in the Northern part of the
ali or Spanish Lagoon Wet- ture has to offer. We cannot island and all beaches in
lands areas? It’s most likely to stress enough to go, see for Aruba are forbidden for any
be Roseate Spoonbills (Ajaia yourself. The island has the motorized vehicle. Treasure
ajaja) or ‘Chucharon Cora’ most beautiful beaches but our island to enjoy it like you
as they are known in Papia- it is also worthwhile to go be- do: as a tropical and natural
mento. This unusual looking yond this and get an idea paradise. We truly appreci-
bird forages in shallow mud- of our entire island. Lately ate it!q
dy water while sweeping its there is a discussion going