Page 18 - AHATA

Friday 6 June 2025 locAl
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Ever heard of the cah’i orgel?

A key instrument in Aruban folklore music

(Oranjestad)—The cah’i or- and successfully debuted As mentioned, the cah’i
gel music box is an impor- it on the streets of Barqui- orgel is a music box. made
tant and unique instrument simeto. Back in Curacao, from mahogany wood, it
that is used on the ABC is- he started his own cah’i contains a cylinder with a
lands in the Dutch Carib- orgel business along with maximum of eight music
bean. This instrument is a his brother Luis. In Aruba, it pieces. By rotating the lever
staple in our folklore music, is said that the cah’i orgel on the front side of the box,
and its significance in the was introduced by Rufo the cah’i orgel produces
traditions of Aruba has and Wever, who later in his ca- music similar to that of a pi-
continues to bring together reer became one of the ano, and is accompanied
the old and young. composers for the Aruban often by someone else
national anthem. playing the “wiri”, a percus-
The origin of the cah’i or- sion instrument made out
gel is said to have come Rufo Wever was a young of steel and reminiscent
from Europe around 150 musician in 1937 when he to the Spanish guiro. Back
years ago. A cross breed established his own cah’i then, you would often also
between the barrel piano orgel business on the island. find someone playing the
and the organ, the most Before that he experiment- triangle alongside the cah’i
popular stories said that the ed with his uncle’s cah’i or- orgel and wiri. In Aruba, the
instrument came from ei- gel, and he over the years cah’i orgel and wiri is used
ther England or Germany, he learned to build and re- for traditional music genres,
but made its way to Italy pair the instrument. In fact, such as the Aruban waltz,
down to Venezuela, where he was incredibly skilled in tumba, mazurka and more.
in 1881, Mr. Horatio Sprock this, and he was one of the
(1866-1949) from Curacao few to have recognized Fun fact: another name for
was first introduced to it. from the start that the cah’i the cah’i orgel is the “tin- entre Aruba y Curaçao” by Nidia Rosaria-Wallé.
After that, Sprock made his orgel is an instrument that gilingi box.” Marilyn Alcalá-Wallé, Herta
own cah’i orgel “Josefina”, needs preserving. Source: “E Cilinder Magico Parabirsing-Balentina and

Lessons from our elders:
Plants and fruits for medicinal use

(Oranjestad)—Though apple is great to use to re-
western medicine is now fresh your body. Clean the However, breastfeeding
widely used for common skin thoroughly and make women who cannot pro-
illnesses and to keep our tea or warapa* with it. It is duce much milk are ad-
bodies healthy and happy, said that this tea can also vised not to consume too
it is still very common in be drank after an opera- pineapple, and people
every household in Aruba tion on the ovaries or uter- with acid reflux are recom-
(and around the world) to us. This gets rid of irritation mended to not consume
have staple home rem- and inflammation. any pineapple at all.
edies that is passed on
through generations. Here When the fruit is unripe and Arrowroot
are some tips that our el- green, this can be used to Arrowroot is native to tropi-
ders have passed on to us stimulate menstruation flow cal America and can be
over the years. in women. This also stimu- sold as a powder or whole.
lates the passing kidney It is said that you can take
Pineapple stones. When ripe, the fruit arrowroot powder and
Pineapple has more uses can be used for poisoning make a “shalup” (porridge)
than topping it on your in the gut and can help for stomach pain or when arrowroot powder can be let it mix with your spit and
Christmas ham. According treat rheumatic diseases, you’re feeling weak. You used to powder babies. then swallow.
to elders, the skin of a pine- like arthritis. can make it with milk too,
but it is advised to best Eggplant/Aubergine Eggplant kataplan* can
use just water. You can Eggplants, or aubergines, also be used to treat skin
also add prunes for a bit of are easy to find in super- tumors, abscesses and
sweetness. Arrowroot sha- markets around the world hemorrhoids. Eggplant kat-
lup is also good to treat an and can be grown all year aplan can also be used ex-
unhealthy gut or for diar- round on the island. Relat- ternally to treat arthritis.
rhea. ed to potato and tomato,
eggplants are good to *warapa: term referring to
To make arrowroot shalup, calm nerves. It can also be a water and sugar solution,
boil a bit of water and add used to lower blood pres- a.k.a simple syrup.
one tablespoon of arrow- sure, by steeping its leaves
root powder and stir con- in boiled water and drink- *kataplan: porridge-like
tinuously until you reach ing it. You can also make mixture used externally for
porridge consistency. If you eggplant juice to help puri- wounds or parts of the body
make a shalup with milk, fy your blood. However, do that are painful or swollen.
add a pinch of salt. Raw make sure to drink slowly;