Page 9 - AHATA

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local Saturday 27 July 2024
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- The next morning, the Ca- ent dry riverbeds, but no ment, now known as Santo our people, and be the
land Venezuela, they were cique ordered his son and sign of anything. When the Largo in Savaneta. The next leader you were always
caught up in a heavy rain a few warriors to go find sun finally descended, they morning they hiked along meant to become. If one
storm—a side effect from a any sign of population in found themselves near a the Spaans Lagoen near day you leave my island,
passing, but far away, hur- the area: “Corobori,” Arua fairly tall hill and decided to the Mangel Halto Beach do not forget that it is also
ricane. Of course, because said. “Don’t come back climb it for a better view of and reached the area of yours. This is my last wish:
of the lack of motors and without news. It’s in your a village. This hill was called Bushiri. There, they boarded When I die, bury me in our
sail, their boat was left in the hands how long we stay Pan Dushi or Orcuyo, which they kayaks and heading maize plantation.”
mercy of the heavy winds. here till we find our fam- today we call Hooiberg. to what we know now as
After a while, the storm ily. So, if you need to take Malmok, where they found And so when the Cacique
started to pass, and the a week to gather informa- The next morning, they rocks of salt. After a couple passed away, his wishes
clouds began to clear up. tion, we will wait for you.” could clearly see that they days of exploring the island were granted and he was
Finally able to see around have landed on an island, and gathering some salt laid to rest in the area we
them, the Cacique spot- “Don’t worry,” Corobori re- but an unfamiliar one at rocks, they left for Venezu- now know as the Parade-
ted land approximately an plied. “As soon as we have that. When Corobori went ela, where they were re- ra Cemetery. Where he
hour away. So, they started any information, we will back to where his father united with their families. used to live, they built the
to row in that direction until let you know.” Armed with was waiting, he told him Paradera Church.
they reached the coast. arrows and spears, back- the news: “Father Arua, Throughout the year, they
packs filled with food and you have just discovered travelled back and forth to And that is the tale of what
Once they arrived on what water containers, they set an island, but it is not Cu- Aruba, collecting salt. After inspired the Aruba name. In
they thought was Venezue- off. They climbed several racao or Bonaire. Far in a while they settled on the the generations that lived
la, they decided to stay the small hills, but no sign of a the south, we saw the big island, generations of fami- or travelled back and forth
night and fix their kayak. village. They crossed differ- mountains of our home- lies living along the coast. to the island, there were
land Venezuela, which we Corobori was the first indig- many familiar names*, like
could have never seen on enous inhabitant in our his- Guadiriki, a warrior who
the other island. This leads tory to explore the entirety was there when the island
us to believe we are on a of the island. got discovered and his son,
new island. But that’s not whom he called Huliba;
all. When the sun came Arua, after decades as the Corobori and his children,
up, we saw in the distance leader of his tribe, spent Corodori, Camacuri and
a glowing plain, which we his last days on the island. Turibana, Masiduri; and
think may be salt.” Having reached 80 years Malmok, the 13-year-old
old, he called for his fam- boy who alerted the Caci-
The Cacique was pleased ily on his death bed. In his que when the Caribes at-
to hear of his son’s findings. hammock, he said: “My tacked.
He decided to stay a cou- children, many years have
ple days on the newly-dis- passed, and I’ve asked my Familiar names: all these
covered island in search for warrior to bring me back to names are familiar to Aru-
salt. The next morning they the island so I can laid to bans, as these are the
ascended Hooiberg again rest. The God of living has names of places and plants
and stayed to see if they given me the gift of life to on the island. q
could find nearby smoke, see my son, grandchildren
indicating an inhabitant vil- and great grandchildren. Source: Un storia di e Indjan
lage. But they found noth- But now he is calling me Arua (A story of the Indian
ing. So they went back to home. Corobori, my torch is Arua) by Adolf (Dufi) Kock
their initial arrival settle- now passed to you. Guide