Page 13 - AB

A10 LOCAL
Monday 5 February 2024

Episode CI – 101- Identity awareness

ers are the vandalizing of data on how our ancestors
such jewels as prehistoric lived. Based on the con-
cave, rock paintings, histor- cept “to leave things in
ical graves found in areas their place…” Etnia Nativa
where there were human pride itself on providing a
activities, settlement re- welcome that emanates
mains. Preserving through from Aruba’s ethnic roots
direct evidence recollec- and the now extinct agro-
Illegal constructions, unsu- sidewalks, new neighbor- loss would become one tion of objects and artifact pottery culture. We also
pervised activities as well hoods, schools and social that is forever. that could be questions advocates for nature pres-
as some economic devel- centers all at the cost of linked to available data ervation, creativity and
opments are irresponsibly habitat lost and ecologi- It is imperative to consider sources of customs and self-consciousness
exploiting all that has to do cal decimation of endan- motivating the population challenges. Prehistoric arti-
with and related to the in- gered endemic flora and level explaining the ben- facts are the only evidence We working hand in hand
cursion of the top as well as fauna species, archaeo- efits of value and commit- available to study our past, with Aruba’s Archaeologi-
the subsoil and its contents. logical sites, all once a pris- ment relating to the im- since writing was not so im- cal Department as well as
Bio- Surface destruction of tine natural landscape. portance of identity and portant in their traditions whit together with other
an area is one of the worst origins found in recollected and customs. science oriented aware-
threats to people’s cultural Together we must en- salvage. ness organizations to safe-
heritage patrimonies and courage participation by Our practice doesn’t differ guard or as last resort prac-
existence itself. choosing for nature, culture This causes archaeology to that of archaeologists tice a savage operation in
and knowledge. Protect in historically significant and historians, “to leave order to safe what there is
Development pressure or our historical buildings and areas to be under threat. things in their place to the to be picked up.
the need to rescue remains give value to what must Because salvage archae- guard of any alteration”,
prior to their destruction be considered unique heri- ology is threat-led, it is only thus keeping archaeologi- At the beginning of the
has increased drastically in tage resources whether we rarely possible to be selec- cal details in their original last century until the 1970s
recent years. Many more are considering our next tive about what is exam- place because in the near you could still find enor-
private homes projects, of- step in tourism of autoch- ined, and time constraints future and with the tech- mous Kwihi trees Prosopis
fices, shopping centers and thon historical and cultural often mean that many nological advance they juliflora all around Oran-
parking lots were built on values or not, since these of the more refined tech- could carry out more so- jestad, Aruba’s capital
this tiny island. Alongside makes up the national in- niques of data recovery phisticated studies and city and metate or grind-
miles of paved roads and tangible heritage and any cannot be deployed. Oth- thus obtain more accurate ing stones of local lithic
material could be found
in almost all native homes
in Aruba, a legacy of an
Agro-potters civilization
and a cultural heritage. Al-
most all rocks surrounded
the metate on this picture
at the entrance of Etnia
Nativa came from salvage
where visitors participants
interact with archaeologi-
cal and historical artifacts,
contemporary native art
and crafts explained by an
expert native host.

To get to know a little more
regarding Aruba’s and its
cultural origins, etc. We
highly recommend you to
book your participation
in our cultural encounter
session which has been
educating participants for
Article by: Etnia Nativa decades. Mail us at etni-
anativa03@gmail.com our
Whatsapp us +297 592 2702 and book facilities and activities take
your Aruban exprerience place close to high rise
Etnia Nativa is close to the high rise hotels hotels.q