Page 9 - aruba-today-20250225

A9
LOCAL Tuesday 25 February 2025

Ever heard of the cah’i orgel?

A key instrument in Aruban folklore music

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

Aruba’s most family-friendly beaches

(Oranjestad)—One of the the back streets of the Pos Palm Beach is where most of beach, it is relatively quiet
biggest concerns that par- Baby Beach in San Nicolas Chiquito city. Though there our visitors go to tan, swim and tranquil. This is a great
ents have when travelling Baby Beach is one Aruba’s are several stairs on the sides or play in the white sand. place for family to lay down
with their children is a guar- most popular and visited of the beach cliff leading Because they are near the a big blanket and have a
antee of their safety and beaches, and for good you down, the best spot for low-rise and high-rise hotel little picnic. This is also one
healthy enjoyment. There- reason: This sandy and quiet families to hang out is across areas, these beaches are of the best places to snorkel,
fore, we thought it would lagoon is a great place for the bridge, passed the man- the most accessible for visi- as this area is filled with little
be a great help to travelling parents to sit back and re- grove trees near the en- tors on foot. These beaches fish and corals, even close
parents to list off some the lax while their children play trance sign. Here, there are also offer many palapas free to the shore.
most family-friendly beaches in the shallow shores of the small and big palapas, per- to use, but you can also rent
around the island. beach. Beside the relaxing fect for big and small families chairs and tents. Much like Palm Island
atmosphere, there are also to set up their belongings. Baby Beach, these sites are Ok, this one is technically
several services that may ac- In this area, the shore is also one of the best beaches for not a beach, but a must-
commodate your stay, like shallow, falling right around your children to play and visit attraction for family fun.
a parking lot, sun tent rent- your knee before slowly get- build sand castles. This small water park oasis is
als, chairs, bathrooms and a ting deeper: perfect for kids located further down the
snack bar right at the far left to safely play. Boca Catalina in Malmok Mangel Halto Beach and is
of the beach. Boca Catalina is a small bay reachable by boat. This wa-
Eagle Beach/Palm Beach beach near the Malmok ter park offers 6 hours of fun
Mangel Halto in Pos in the hotel area beach area further down activities, food, drinks, and a
Chiquito Yet another highly popular the hotel areas. Though it chance to see pink flamin-
Mangel Halto is situated in beach site, Eagle Beach and may not be a very sandy goes up close! q