Page 19 - AHATA

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local Friday 6 June 2025
Aruba: the legend behind its name

(Oranjestad)—Most folk-
loric tales and legends in
Aruba revolve around our
indigenous ancestors, who
came from mainland Ven-
ezuela, 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 Ca-
cique originally from Aroa
in the Falcon state in Ven-
ezuela 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 Cura-
cao and Bonaire to gather
salt.

On their way back to Main- night and fix their kayak. small hills, but no sign of a their initial arrival settle- our people, and be the
land Venezuela, they were The next morning, the Ca- village. They crossed differ- ment, now known as Santo leader you were always
caught up in a heavy rain cique ordered his son and ent dry riverbeds, but no Largo in Savaneta. The next meant to become. If one
storm—a side effect from a a few warriors to go find sign of anything. When the morning they hiked along day you leave my island,
passing, but far away, hur- any sign of population in sun finally descended, they the Spaans Lagoen near do not forget that it is also
ricane. Of course, because the area: “Corobori,” Arua found themselves near a the Mangel Halto Beach yours. This is my last wish:
of the lack of motors and said. “Don’t come back fairly tall hill and decided to and reached the area of When I die, bury me in our
sail, their boat was left in the without news. It’s in your climb it for a better view of Bushiri. There, they boarded maize plantation.”
mercy of the heavy winds. hands how long we stay a village. This hill was called they kayaks and heading
After a while, the storm here till we find our fam- Pan Dushi or Orcuyo, which to what we know now as And so when the Cacique
started to pass, and the ily. So, if you need to take today we call Hooiberg. Malmok, where they found passed away, his wishes
clouds began to clear up. a week to gather informa- rocks of salt. After a couple were granted and he was
Finally able to see around tion, we will wait for you.” The next morning, they days of exploring the island laid to rest in the area we
them, the Cacique spot- could clearly see that they and gathering some salt now know as the Parade-
ted land approximately an “Don’t worry,” Corobori re- have landed on an island, rocks, they left for Venezu- ra Cemetery. Where he
hour away. So, they started plied. “As soon as we have but an unfamiliar one at ela, where they were re- used to live, they built the
to row in that direction until any information, we will that. When Corobori went united with their families. Paradera Church.
they reached the coast. let you know.” Armed with back to where his father
arrows and spears, back- was waiting, he told him Throughout the year, they And that is the tale of what
Once they arrived on what packs filled with food and the news: “Father Arua, travelled back and forth to inspired the Aruba name. In
they thought was Venezue- water containers, they set you have just discovered Aruba, collecting salt. After the generations that lived
la, they decided to stay the off. They climbed several an island, but it is not Cu- a while they settled on the or travelled back and forth
racao or Bonaire. Far in island, generations of fami- to the island, there were
the south, we saw the big lies living along the coast. many familiar names*, like
mountains of our home- Corobori was the first indig- Guadiriki, a warrior who
land Venezuela, which we enous inhabitant in our his- was there when the island
could have never seen on tory to explore the entirety got discovered and his son,
the other island. This leads of the island. whom he called Huliba;
us to believe we are on a Corobori and his children,
new island. But that’s not Arua, after decades as the Corodori, Camacuri and
all. When the sun came leader of his tribe, spent Turibana, Masiduri; and
up, we saw in the distance his last days on the island. Malmok, the 13-year-old
a glowing plain, which we Having reached 80 years boy who alerted the Caci-
think may be salt.” old, he called for his fam- que when the Caribes at-
ily on his death bed. In his tacked.
The Cacique was pleased hammock, he said: “My
to hear of his son’s findings. children, many years have Familiar names: all these
He decided to stay a cou- passed, and I’ve asked my names are familiar to Aru-
ple days on the newly-dis- warrior to bring me back to bans, as these are the
covered island in search for the island so I can laid to names of places and plants
salt. The next morning they rest. The God of living has on the island.
ascended Hooiberg again given me the gift of life to
and stayed to see if they see my son, grandchildren Source: Un storia di e Indjan
could find nearby smoke, and great grandchildren. Arua (A story of the Indian
indicating an inhabitant vil- But now he is calling me Arua) by Adolf (Dufi) Kock
lage. But they found noth- home. Corobori, my torch is
ing. So they went back to now passed to you. Guide