Page 12 - AHATA

Friday 3 November 2023 locAl
A10

Episode LXXV -75 - Dutch pipes, Fish bones & Shells

NOORD — Many things exhibit social distinction or
were used to make beats status. It had its incessant
since man’s existence, raw demand when it came for
materials where scrutinized the hand and quality of
for all kind usage and un- experimented craftmen
imaginable purposes. to supply these social at-
tires. These artistic creations
Tribal craftsmen where functioned perfectly as a
highly regarded artists and bravery medal to a war-
handymen of a village. rior as token of recognition
Some were able to trans- or worn as magical totem,
fer spiritual powers in their a “contra” to scare away
work, trough prayers or omens and bad spells. Oth-
blessings. Survival and cul- ers had to promote heal-
ture go hand in hand and ing and spread cleansing
the craftsmen used what- powers. They also served pipes. At a time, you could while only one category rial used in their fabrication
ever they could put their as symbols of political sta- still find pieces of these of white marine shell beats of the so called Quiripa.
hands on. Tribal regalia’s, tus and valued as a trade white ceramic pipes at can be called or consid- Having one or more holes
objects, ornaments, war item. Wela, Alto Vista and a few ered a "Quiripas". Quiripas and sometimes a semi per-
and hunting equipment, other sites. On Aruba you comes in an array of sizes forated hole believed yet
all of these had its physical Some of the items used in will find all sorts and types and shapes. Diameters to be perforated. Many
purpose as well as a sym- Aruba during the Dutch of white colored beats. measuring up to 3cm. “boton” as called by Aru-
bolic and spiritual connect- colonial era were, discard- These where made for ex- Strombus shells were in ban’s for its similarity to
ing value. The goal was to ed white ceramic tobacco ample out of fish bones, many times the basic mate- a button. They were col-
lected during an archaeo-
logical rescue excavation
in Santa Cruz in Aruba.
Santa Cruz was a highly
organized settlement and
important village during
Aruba’s Ceramic Period.
There is even a zone in
Santa Cruz called Boton for
the many shell buttons that
were found there.

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