Page 15 - ARUBA TODAY

A15
LOCAL Tuesday 17 March 2020

Maish grandi; Big corn or Zea mays
Episode LX - (60)

Continued from Page 14

When Europeans like Columbus
made contact with people were
living in the Caribbean, North and
South America, corn was a major
part of the diet of most native peo-
ple. When Columbus “discovered”
America, he also discovered corn.
But up to this time, people living in
Europe did not know about corn.
The first Thanksgiving was held in
1621. While sweet potatoes, cran-
berry sauce and pumpkin pie were
not on the menu, however Indian
corn certainly would have been.

For Aruba corn was of vital impor-
tance and the most important crop
followed by yuca, beans squashes
and peanuts. Corn was sacred for
the Caquetio and respected the
whole plant as their creator as the
mother food and venerated with
the out most respect.
Beside pollen and ceramic buren`s,
ancient agro ceramic cultures of 4-Art work belonging to a private collector- Title “What grandma left behind”
Aruba had left their native milling arts of ceramics expressions and whole new era and progress to side. All These Amerindians group
stones or Metate’s and also known an enormous array of crafts and Amerindian societies all over the claims that their flesh and bones
as cudie`s, testimony of the pres- technics. continent. Yes, to those who culti- are made out of Corn, of Maish or
ence of maize. This abundance of vated corn successfully, including Zea mays. That is how important
food gave time to master many The cultivation of corn brought a those on islands and mountains this wonder plant is for them. q