Page 6 - AHATA

Thursday 28 augusT 2025 locAl
A10

Cas di Torto

Cas di torto (also called The technique probably dition.
cas di lodo or cas di bara) came over from the Ven-
is a traditional building ezuelan Paraguaná Pen- The skeleton of the hous-
technique from Aruba. It insula in the 18th century. es is made up of round
refers to a type of houses Existing houses date back wooden poles placed with
made of mud with rounded 150 years. Until 1925 many distances of 1.5 feet be-
corners. These houses were houses on Aruba were built tween them. Branches are
usually found around the using this technique, after- interwoven between them,
plantations. The few struc- wards it fell into disuse. In completing the structural
tures that still exist are the 2005 there were 62 cas di support. On this basis, loam
oldest structures that are torto houses left, of which is applied, mixed with sand,
left standing in the country. only four were in good con- water and para grass. This is

then coated with aloe vera The houses were usually di-
juice, which gives the white vided into a kitchen, a living
colour and helps to protect room, a porch and a bed-
against the weather. room. In the kitchen would
be a wooden or metal bar-
On top of the poles piec- rel for storing water that
es of wood are fitted that was collected in small rain
serve as the base for the ponds. Around this barrel a
roof beams. Until 1815 the thick loam wall would be
roofing usually consisted erected. Often large fami-
of corn (maize) stems, af- lies would live in these hous-
terwards the nuclei of co- es; people would sleep on
lumnar cacti were used. mats on the floor.
The floor is made of loam,
mixed with cement or cow If you visit the Arikok Nation-
dung. al Park you will be able to
see a very nice cas di tor-
toq

Fun facts about the ‘Lisinbein’

The ‘Lisinbein’ (Scolopen- it a bioindicator of ecologi- moist environments these molt, making them more
dra gigantea), also known cal balance. A mother’s love centipedes often inhabit. capable of independent
as the Giant Centipede, In Scolopendra species, The mother maintains a survival.
is one of the largest centi- It can reach an impressive the ‘mother’ typically ex- clean environment for the
pedes in the world and is length of up to 30 centi- hibits maternal care by eggs by carefully grooming This form of parental care
found in Aruba. Its size and meters (approx. 12 inches) curling around her eggs them, which helps prevent is beneficial in increas-
hunting prowess make it a and live for around 5 to 10 and newly hatched young. fungal growth that could ing the survival rates of
fascinating, if often misun- years in the wild. Its size and She stays coiled around endanger the brood. This offspring, as the mother’s
derstood, creature. longevity makes it a signifi- the clutch, protecting it behavior may continue protection provides a safe
cant and long-term part of from predators and fungi, until the young centipedes ‘environment’ during their
Despite its fearsome repu- the ecosystem. which are serious risks in the have undergone their first vulnerable developmen-
tation, it plays a crucial tal stages. It’s a fascinat-
ecological role that often ing adaptation because it
goes unnoticed: shows a form of care that
resembles more complex
As an apex invertebrate behaviors observed in ver-
predator, Scolopendra tebrates.
gigantea helps maintain
balance in the ecosystem. No bark, all bite!
Moreover, they themselves The lisinbein is known local-
are a food source for birds ly for having a really painful
such as the Crested Cara- sting. While venomous, the
cara (Warawara) and the Lisinbein is generally not
Aruba burrowing owl (Sho- aggressive toward humans
co). unless provoked. Its role as
a guardian of balance in
It controls populations of the ecosystem helps pro-
smaller invertebrates and tect the natural beauty of
even small vertebrates, en- Aruba by keeping the eco-
suring that no species over- system in harmony.
populates, which could dis-
rupt local biodiversity. Editor’s note: Information
and pictures provided by
Its presence can indicate Ms. Natasha Silva from
a healthy, functioning eco- the Aruba Conservation
system. Its sensitivity to envi- Foundation.q
ronmental changes makes