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LOCAL Monday 9 october 2023

The district of Savaneta

A quick history guide to the island’s first capital

( O r a n j e s t a d ) — B e f o r e canoes. So, since the were commonly used to
Oranjestad became the Caquetios discovered the produce dye or paint. But
island nation’s capital, island, Aruba found her first since these trees could not
Aruba’s first capital was the form of civilization. be found in Savaneta, he
district of Savaneta. Here is continued to search in the
where the cultural identity It wasn’t until 1499 when area of what is now known
of Aruba was born, and Aruba met another group as Santa Cruz. The best way
from where the rest of the of people who set foot to transport the tree barks
island developed into what on the island: the Spanish was via a route passing
it is today. explorer Alonso de Ojeda. through Savaneta, and
De Ojeda first took notice so the first road between
Savaneta is said to have of Aruba off the coast Savaneta and Santa Cruz
been the first place where of Venezuela, during his was made.
the Caquetio inhabitants exploration of the Latin the Dutch were interested How Savaneta got its name
first stepped foot on the American country. This The Dutch colonial era in other Caribbean islands The name Savaneta
island. Though there isn’t was on August 9th, 1499. (1636-1805) and countries in South probably has a Spanish
hard evidence to back However, de Ojeda didn’t During the 80-year war America, they imported origin. It was said that when
this up, but considering actually sail to the island between The Netherlands Dutch merchants and the Spanish climbed a hill
the legend of the Cacique till 4 days later, on August and Spain, Dutch explorers business men, all of whom called Yara, they saw that
Arua, it is believed that 23rd, 1499. This was the and merchants began to resided in Savaneta. This the area was mostly open
there were already beginning of the Spanish travel to the ABC islands. way, Savaneta officially and had no big trees. In
movements on Aruba— era on Aruba (1499-1636). Once they landed in Aruba, became the island’s first Spanish, such a land area is
and Savaneta—around 88 they deported the small capital. called a “sabana”.
AD. Alonso usually didn’t stop Arawakan and Spanish
at every island or land community that was living However, at the end of Because of its land surface,
The Caquetios probably he saw, especially not in on the island. This was the the 18th century, the Savaneta was a great
made their way to the Caribbean. He would beginning of colonization commander at the time, place to construct cattle
the island either from often take notice of land of the ABC islands by the J.R. Lauffer, moved his farms. From here, the
Venezuela, Colombia or from afar and continue Dutch empire. Around office to what is now farmer culture on Aruba
other Caribbean islands in sailing. However, Aruba the same, the West Indian “Horse Bay” in Oranjestad. was born. Before the
the region, but with good was an exception. He Company (WIC) was born. Because the highest office Aruban Gold Rush and the
weather it was relatively had heard that there Bonaire and Curacao were on the island moved away construction of the Refinery
easy for them to travel were “quebracho” trees mostly used for plantations, from Savaneta, the capital in San Nicolas, most
back and forth in their on the island, which where the Dutch had lost its title to what was residents were farmers,
transported slaves from called then Playa. and Savaneta had many
Africa. Aruba, on the other inhabitants that farmed
hand, was mostly used to fruits and vegetables. They
raise cattle and to house also continued the tradition
the haring factory. The of raising cattle, like goat,
Dutch had often forced sheep, pigs and horses.
the indigenous community Savaneta was one of the
to work for them. first places on the island
In 1636, when the to have a general farming
Netherlands won the war culture. From this culture,
against Spain, the country many other traditions were
surrendered the islands to born, like the Dera Gay
the Dutch. Holiday that we celebrate
every year on June 24th.
The Dutch administration
appointed the island’s first Source: Historia di Savaneta
commander, an Irish man (History of Savaneta) by
named N. Williams. Because Adolf “Dufi” Kock.