Page 10 - AHATA

Thursday 11 sepTember 2025 locAl
A10

The Aruban Cunukero; From past to present

(Oranjestad)—Aruba’s cul-
ture consists of rich histori-
cal traditions that make up
the Aruban identity and
lifestyle. However, the life
of the cunukero (farmer) is
perhaps the most impor-
tant aspect of our culture,
in a sense representing to
locals the true essence of
the Aruban.

Historically, cunucus (farms)
played a huge role in the
early social and economic
development of Aruba,
and its relevance dates
back to the early days of
the colonization era. Upon
being discovered by Span-
ish conquistadors in the late
15th century, Aruba was
used primarily as a ranch,
housing horses and cattle
brought from Europe. Dur-
ing the Dutch colonization
era where the West Indian
Company (WIC) dominat-
ed the economic sphere
on the island, using the land
to set up cattle farms and
ranches remained popular.

Anthropologist Sidney Mintz
divided Caribbean farmers
back in four categories:

The “squatters”, who were From 1636 (beginning of The WIC placed a lot of gave these farmers official
mostly comprised of illegal Dutch colonization era) to restrictions on these indig- permission to keep live- For this reason, the farm-
and poor colonists, run- before the oil industry in enous farmers—a method stock, and the obligations ing economy on the island
away slaves and deserters 1924, Aruba’s population to safeguard their cattle once placed on them were remained small. As the
who took advantage of consisted of mostly farmers. deposit on the island. The officially discarded. years went by and people
the Spanish’s weak supervi- These farmers were mostly indigenous farmers were noticed that these farms
sion on Caribbean islands indigenous and were char- mostly granted less than 7 Because of the dry climate could not really produce
like Cuba and the DR; acterized as peasants. They acres of land. Those who in Aruba, growing food for any sustainable profit, farm-
Then you have “Early Yeo- weren’t allowed to partici- owned bigger land were commercial purposes was ers kept their small piece of
men”, who were legal pate in trading, but instead either once affiliated with not popular. The focus was land just to live off of. This is
farmers who came to the were granted a piece of the WIC or were colonists mainly on cattle herding why the Aruban cunukeros
west under contract. Once land to live off of. However, who settled on the island and taking care of live- only played a very tiny role
their contract expired, they in exchange for this grant, to try their luck at farming. stock. However, livestock into the plantation econo-
were given a plot of land these indigenous farmers In 1767, there were about need food to survive, and my.
for independent use; were obligated to work for 120 houses/cunucus on the when Aruba experienced
Proto-Peasants were plan- the WIC, doing daily tasks island. its duper dry climate, many In modern Aruba, cunucus
tation slaves who were such as taking care of or farmers would see a big and cunukeros still exist on
allowed to have a small hunting cattle—large ma- These Aruban farmers were loss in their livestock, and the island, fortunately with
piece of land to grow food jority of which were des- also limited to the amount hence profit. more freedom and more
for their own consumption. tined for Curacao, clean of cattle they could keep. opportunity to tap into the
This was to curb the cost of water tanks and chop Most kept goats as cattle, Although the WIC at one agricultural market. These
living on the plantations; wood, among other things. as only those who were af- point did try to come up farmers usually sell their pro-
Lastly you have the “Run- filiated with the WIC could with an initiative to get duce on a smaller scale,
away Peasantries”, usu- As much as these farmers keep (more) sheep. Of the more people to have like during farmers’ market
ally comprised of runaway were given to opportunity 76 goat herders on the is- land on the island, the cli- events and other types of
slaves who acquired farm- to live “free” with a plot of land, about 45 of them had mate never really allowed (holiday) events.
ing tools and cattle through land, their exclusion from less than 30 goats, and only real profit from farming.
stealing or through secret the trading and business 7 of them had more than Because of the climate, Source: “Arubaans Ak-
exchanges with other world, as well as being de- 60 goats. Aruban farmers in gen- koord: Opstellen over Aru-
slaves from different plan- prived the chance to be- eral could not keep large ba van voor de komst van
tations. come real property and It wasn’t until the WIC was quantities of livestock. At de olieindustrie (Aruban
However, the Aruban cu- cattle owners, made them defunct in late 18th cen- a certain point toward the Accord: Essays on Aruba
nukeros back then are a unique group among tury that these farmers end of the 18th century, Before the Arrival of the Oil
hard to place, and their his- Caribbean farmers at the were able to obtain more the climate got so bad that Industry)” by Alofs, Luc; Rut-
tory may explain why. time. freedom as cunukeros. Af- many farmers decided to gers, Wim; Coomans, Hen-
ter 1824, the government leave the island for a while. ny E. red.q