Page 14 - AHATA

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local Tuesday 16 sepTember 2025
Aruba: the legend behind its name

ORANJESTAD—Most folk-
loric tales and legends in
Aruba revolve around our
indigenous ancestors, who
came from mainland Ven-
ezuela, and discovered the
island and made it into their
new home. This particular
legend tells the story of the
birth of the Aruba name.

The legend follows the life
of Arua, an indigenous Ca-
cique originally from Aroa
in the Falcon state in Ven-
ezuela in the year 50 AD.
Arua had a son around
the year 70 AD with his wife
Shira, who they named
Corobori. When Corobori
was old enough, he joined
his father on the usual boat
trip to the islands of Cura-
cao and Bonaire to gather
salt.

On their way back to Main-
land Venezuela, they were
caught up in a heavy rain
storm—a side effect from a
passing, but far away, hur-
ricane. Of course, because
of the lack of motors and
sail, their boat was left in the
mercy of the heavy winds.
After a while, the storm
started to pass, and the
clouds began to clear up.
Finally able to see around
them, the Cacique spot- sign of anything. When the He decided to stay a cou- Corobori was the first indig- were granted and he was
ted land approximately an sun finally descended, they ple days on the newly-dis- enous inhabitant in our his- laid to rest in the area we
hour away. So, they started found themselves near a covered island in search for tory to explore the entirety now know as the Parade-
to row in that direction until fairly tall hill and decided to salt. The next morning they of the island. ra Cemetery. Where he
they reached the coast. climb it for a better view of ascended Hooiberg again used to live, they built the
a village. This hill was called and stayed to see if they Arua, after decades as the Paradera Church.
Once they arrived on what Pan Dushi or Orcuyo, which could find nearby smoke, leader of his tribe, spent
they thought was Venezue- today we call Hooiberg. indicating an inhabitant vil- his last days on the island. And that is the tale of what
la, they decided to stay the lage. But they found noth- Having reached 80 years inspired the Aruba name. In
night and fix their kayak. The next morning, they ing. So they went back to old, he called for his fam- the generations that lived
The next morning, the Ca- could clearly see that they their initial arrival settle- ily on his death bed. In his or travelled back and forth
cique ordered his son and have landed on an island, ment, now known as Santo hammock, he said: “My to the island, there were
a few warriors to go find but an unfamiliar one at Largo in Savaneta. The next children, many years have many familiar names*, like
any sign of population in that. When Corobori went morning they hiked along passed, and I’ve asked my Guadiriki, a warrior who
the area: “Corobori,” Arua back to where his father the Spaans Lagoen near warrior to bring me back to was there when the island
said. “Don’t come back was waiting, he told him the Mangel Halto Beach the island so I can laid to got discovered and his son,
without news. It’s in your the news: “Father Arua, and reached the area of rest. The God of living has whom he called Huliba;
hands how long we stay you have just discovered Bushiri. There, they boarded given me the gift of life to Corobori and his children,
here till we find our fam- an island, but it is not Cu- they kayaks and heading see my son, grandchildren Corodori, Camacuri and
ily. So, if you need to take racao or Bonaire. Far in to what we know now as and great grandchildren. Turibana, Masiduri; and
a week to gather informa- the south, we saw the big Malmok, where they found But now he is calling me Malmok, the 13-year-old
tion, we will wait for you.” mountains of our home- rocks of salt. After a couple home. Corobori, my torch is boy who alerted the Caci-
land Venezuela, which we days of exploring the island now passed to you. Guide que when the Caribes at-
“Don’t worry,” Corobori re- could have never seen on and gathering some salt our people, and be the tacked.
plied. “As soon as we have the other island. This leads rocks, they left for Venezu- leader you were always
any information, we will us to believe we are on a ela, where they were re- meant to become. If one Familiar names: all these
let you know.” Armed with new island. But that’s not united with their families. day you leave my island, names are familiar to Aru-
arrows and spears, back- all. When the sun came do not forget that it is also bans, as these are the
packs filled with food and up, we saw in the distance Throughout the year, they yours. This is my last wish: names of places and plants
water containers, they set a glowing plain, which we travelled back and forth to When I die, bury me in our on the island.q
off. They climbed several think may be salt.” Aruba, collecting salt. After maize plantation.”
small hills, but no sign of a a while they settled on the Source: Un storia di e Indjan
village. They crossed differ- The Cacique was pleased island, generations of fami- And so when the Cacique Arua (A story of the Indian
ent dry riverbeds, but no to hear of his son’s findings. lies living along the coast. passed away, his wishes Arua) by Adolf (Dufi) Kock