Page 10 - AHATA

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local Thursday 24 July 2025
Aruba: the legend behind its name

( O r a n j e s t a d ) — M o s t
folkloric tales and legends
in Aruba revolve around
our indigenous ancestors,
who came from mainland
Venezuela, 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
Cacique originally from
Aroa in the Falcon state in
Venezuela 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
Curacao and Bonaire to
gather salt. what they thought was and water containers, inhabitant village. But they home. Corobori, my torch is
Venezuela, they decided they set off. They climbed found nothing. So they went now passed to you. Guide
On their way back to to stay the night and several small hills, but no back to their initial arrival our people, and be the
Mainland Venezuela, fix their kayak. The next sign of a village. They settlement, now known as leader you were always
they were caught up in a morning, the Cacique crossed different dry Santo Largo in Savaneta. meant to become. If one
heavy rain storm—a side ordered his son and a few riverbeds, but no sign of The next morning they day you leave my island,
effect from a passing, but warriors to go find any sign anything. When the sun hiked along the Spaans do not forget that it is also
far away, hurricane. Of of population in the area: finally descended, they Lagoen near the Mangel yours. This is my last wish:
course, because of the “Corobori,” Arua said. found themselves near a Halto Beach and reached When I die, bury me in our
lack of motors and sail, “Don’t come back without fairly tall hill and decided to the area of Bushiri. There, maize plantation.”
their boat was left in the news. It’s in your hands how climb it for a better view of they boarded they kayaks
mercy of the heavy winds. long we stay here till we a village. This hill was called and heading to what we And so when the Cacique
After a while, the storm find our family. So, if you Pan Dushi or Orcuyo, which know now as Malmok, passed away, his wishes
started to pass, and the need to take a week to today we call Hooiberg. where they found rocks of were granted and he was
clouds began to clear up. gather information, we will salt. After a couple days laid to rest in the area we
Finally able to see around wait for you.” The next morning, they of exploring the island and now know as the Paradera
them, the Cacique spotted could clearly see that they gathering some salt rocks, Cemetery. Where he
land approximately an “Don’t worry,” Corobori have landed on an island, they left for Venezuela, used to live, they built the
hour away. So, they started replied. “As soon as we but an unfamiliar one at where they were reunited Paradera Church.
to row in that direction until have any information, we that. When Corobori went with their families.
they reached the coast. will let you know.” Armed back to where his father And that is the tale of what
with arrows and spears, was waiting, he told him Throughout the year, they inspired the Aruba name. In
Once they arrived on backpacks filled with food the news: “Father Arua, travelled back and forth the generations that lived
you have just discovered to Aruba, collecting salt. or travelled back and forth
an island, but it is not After a while they settled to the island, there were
Curacao or Bonaire. Far in on the island, generations many familiar names*, like
the south, we saw the big of families living along the Guadiriki, a warrior who
mountains of our homeland coast. Corobori was the was there when the island
Venezuela, which we first indigenous inhabitant got discovered and his son,
could have never seen on in our history to explore the whom he called Huliba;
the other island. This leads entirety of the island. Corobori and his children,
us to believe we are on a Corodori, Camacuri and
new island. But that’s not Arua, after decades as the Turibana, Masiduri; and
all. When the sun came leader of his tribe, spent Malmok, the 13-year-
up, we saw in the distance his last days on the island. old boy who alerted the
a glowing plain, which we Having reached 80 years Cacique when the Caribes
think may be salt.” old, he called for his family attacked.
on his death bed. In his
The Cacique was pleased hammock, he said: “My Familiar names: all these
to hear of his son’s findings. children, many years have names are familiar to
He decided to stay a passed, and I’ve asked my Arubans, as these are
couple days on the newly- warrior to bring me back to the names of places and
discovered island in search the island so I can laid to plants on the island.
for salt. The next morning rest. The God of living has
they ascended Hooiberg given me the gift of life to Source: Un storia di e Indjan
again and stayed to see see my son, grandchildren Arua (A story of the Indian
if they could find nearby and great grandchildren. Arua) by Adolf (Dufi) Kock
smoke, indicating an But now he is calling me