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“Etnia Nativa and the Aruban Rite of the Navel String” Episode CCCXIX - 319
Etnia Nativa (“Native Ethnicity”) is dedicated to re- moored. spiritual safeguarding, expressions of
covering and celebrating Aruba’s cultural identity In Navajo culture, this tradition takes identity, or aspirations for the child’s fu-
on an especially meaningful form. The
ture — including burial near places of
and heritage. Through this platform, it shares an au-
thentic Indigenous perspective, educates the public, cord is often buried near the family worship or learning.
home, a sacred site, or a place con-
Among the Māori of New Zealand, the
and inspires readers to adopt an “island caretaker”
mindset. nected to the child’s future aspirations land is not just geography — it is iden-
— such as a school. This act symboli- tity. Burying the umbilical cord in the
cally tethers the child to Dinétah, the whenua (a word that means both land
In this episode, we explore a powerful and symbolic Navajo homeland, and expresses and placenta) affirms the child’s bond
tradition from Aruban heritage: the burial of a new-
born’s navel — more specifically, the umbilical cord. a wish for a grounded, community- to their people and place. It is spiritual
grounding in every sense of the word.
oriented life. Burying the cord near a
Though deeply rooted in Aruban culture, this ances-
tral practice resonates far beyond the island’s shores, school, for instance, reflects hopes for Closer to home in the Caribbean,
similar customs thrive. In Jamaica, for
a future shaped by education and re-
connecting us to a global tapestry of customs cen-
tered on identity, belonging, and spiritual grounding. spect. example, families may bury the pla-
These beliefs echo across continents. In
centa alongside a silver coin, planting
Across many cultures, the umbilical cord is not merely Bolivia, the Aymara place the cord in a a breadfruit or coconut tree above it.
clay pot beneath the hearth, offering it
This act symbolizes a lifelong connec-
a biological remnant but a sacred symbol — a tangi-
ble link between the child, the Earth, and the genera- to Pachamama — Mother Earth — as tion to the land of one’s birth — cap-
tured in the saying: “where your navel
a sacred gift. Among the Ye’kwana of
tions that came before. In numerous Native American
tribes, for example, burying the umbilical cord is an the Amazon, the placenta is given to string is buried.”
termites, returning it to the natural cy-
Despite cultural differences, these tra-
act of profound significance. Customs vary, but com-
mon threads include reverence for the land, continu- cle for spiritual protection. ditions speak a shared language. They
remind us that our beginnings mat-
In Africa, the tradition spans many
ity of lineage, and spiritual protection. The cord may
be buried near the home, beneath the hearth, or in communities. Umbilical cords are of- ter — that where we come from, how
ten buried beneath sacred trees —
we are welcomed, and the roots we
a sacred place — anchoring the child to their fam-
ily, community, and traditional territory. Some believe anchoring the child to ancestral land place early in life shape not only who
and lineage. In Zambia and Turkey, the
we are, but where we belong.
that losing the cord can leave the child spiritually un-
practice may serve different purposes: For traditional Native Arubans, the buri-
al of a newborn’s dried umbilical cord
is an essential heritage practice — one
that grants the child protection from
Mother Earth and the spiritual realm.
If you’ve enjoyed learning about these
ancestral stories and want to explore
the true identity of the Aruban people,
we invite you to visit Etnia Nativa — the
only “living museum” of its kind in the
Caribbean, reflecting the island’s rich
mestizaje (cultural blending).
Founded in 1994, Etnia Nativa has
been a cultural pioneer, co-founding
key institutions such as Aruba’s Nation-
al Park, the Archaeological Museum,
several artisan foundations, and many
other voluntary initiatives. q
But Etnia Nativa isn’t just a place — it’s
a gateway. Quietly tucked away near
the high-rise hotels, this private resi-
dence also serves as a cultural sanc-
tuary, unknown to most tourists. And
that’s part of its magic. Intentionally
exclusive, it welcomes only those with
a genuine curiosity and a thirst for au-
thentic discovery.
Connect with the spirit and soul of Aru-
ba’s ancient heritage through a one-
of-a-kind experience.
WhatsApp: +297 592 2702 or
Email: etnianativa03@gmail.com
