Page 30 - AHATA

Friday 7 March 2025 locAl
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The legend of the Kibrahacha tree

(Oranjestad)—The Kibrahacha is a famous tree father was sick, he immediately accompanied
known locally for its bright, yellow flowers that Aretima back to her hut, where he encountered
blooms for just three days. Scientifically known as her father in a bad state. Not willing to waste any
Tabebuia billbergii, and in English as the Yellow time, he told Aretima that the only thing that can
Poui, this tree is native to the Caribbean islands of cure her father is a home-made potion made
Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, and is considered out of the Kibrahacha flower. At the time the
among locals as one of the most spectacular Kibrahacha was not yet in her blooming season,
trees on the island. But did you also know that but the stubborn Kudawecha was determined to
the beautiful yellow flowers have a story behind bring back Aretima’s father back to health, and
them? so off they went to the nearest Kibrahacha tree.

The Kibrahacha is said to have extremely hard When they arrived at the tree, they saw that it
wood—so hard that it can break an axe. In fact, was covered head to toe in thorns, with only a
that’s what its name means in Papiamento: “kibra” few closed flowers at the very top. Kudawecha,
(break) “hacha” (axe). The flowers bloom around experienced veteran in all things Aruban flora and
April and May, but this only last for about three fauna, told Aretima to start plucking the thorns
days, as the flowers start to fall off and the tree of the tree to climb to the top where the flow-
starts growing its green leaves. The Kibrahacha is ers are. Aretima, just as determined to save her
especially particular, as it’s the only one among father, didn’t hesitate to start.
its neighboring trees to starts blooming first.
The legend of the Kibrahacha To her surprise, every time she plucked a thorn
Written by Hubert (Lio Booi) of the tree, a bright, yellow flower bloomed in
its place. The thorns were hard to pluck out, but sip of the tea, the father’s fever left his body im-
One day Aterima, who lived west of the hill Sero Aretima continued plucking with enthusiasm and mediately, and he opened eyes and sprung up
Warawara, woke up one day to find her father wonder at the unfolding sight before her. Not too feeling new.
sleeping in his hammock, suffering a bout of ter- long after she was able to fill her entire satchel
rible fever. Her mother was very worried, and as with the yellow flowers. Kudawecha, satisfied to The next morning, they all visited the same Kibra-
was the custom in the olden days, asked Aterima see Aretima so happy and encouraged to help hacha tree that saved the life of Aretima’s fa-
to go fetch Kudawecha, who was a epistemo- her father, took her back to her hut. ther and they saw another miracle. The tree was
phile, to come see his father. covered again in the same bright, yellow flowers,
Upon arriving back at the hut, Aretima’s mother with not a thorn in sight. And as the legend goes,
Aterima wasted to time and went to go fetch quickly made a tea out of the flowers and gave from that day on, the Kibrahacha tree no longer
Kudawecha. Upon telling Kudawecha that her it to her sick husband. Miraculously, after just one produced any more thorns.q

Enjoy one of the best views on Aruba at the top of the Hooiberg Hill

The highest point is Jamanota Hill at
189 meters (620 feet), located in the
Arikok National Park.
The staircase that run on the side of
the hill was first built in 1951, when
Mr. Eduardo Tromp constructed it.
At that time, the staircase consist-
ed of 900 steps. Over time, as the
steps faced erosion, the government
decided to renovate these stairs in
1991. This new project delivered the
newer staircase with only 587 steps.
However, don’t be fooled—it may still
be a work out to get on top. In addi-
tion, there is now a gazebo placed
halfway up the stair for a little rest.
The view at this resting stop is also a
(Oranjestad)—If you are a regular
hiker, or maybe want to spice up
your morning work out session, then
you might enjoy one of the most pop-
ular climbing sites on the island: The
Hooiberg Hill. Accompanied with a
600-step staircase, this hill overlooks
a great part of the island, the Carib-
bean sea, and sometimes even the
Santa Anna mountain located in the
coastal state of Falcon in Venezuela,
providing one of the best views you
can get on Aruba. sight to see.

located at the center district of the The best time to climb the hill would
island, Santa Cruz, the Hooiberg Hill be early in the morning or right be-
is the second highest point on the fore sunset, as it may not be as hot.
island at 165 meters above sea level However, the hill is of course open
(or about 540 feet above sea level). all day, every day. q