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Monday 24 noveMber 2025 locAl
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The stories of “Compa Nanzi”

(Oranjestad)—The most Nanzi said, “I’ll let you “I was, Your Majesty,” Nanzi
popular character you may take a look, but only for a replied. But you know what;
hear about in the Carib- quick second.” The herder there are so many things to
bean is Anansi, known lo- opened the sack, and Nan- see down there in the sack!
cally on Aruba as “Compa zi immediately jumped out. Like this herd of sheep. See-
Nanzi”. Local children grew Before the herder could ing that they had no herd-
up hearing the tales of the even take a look into the er, I started walking behind
conniving spider, and his sack, Nanzi pushed him in them and gained their trust
legacy forms part of the it, and the herder fell head pretty quickly. At the bot-
oral narrative tradition that first in. tom of the ocean there are
is common in Aruba. so many wonderful things,
Nanzi didn’t waste any like diamonds, and bags of
Although the stories are time, and closed off the gold. Chests of silver and
most popular in the Carib- sack real tight. He then other precious stones,”
bean, “Compa Nanzi” is not picked up the herder’s hat Nanzi told the king.
entirely unknown globally, and starting walking be-
especially not in the West hind the traveling sheep as “What is that you say?” the
African region. Brought to if nothing happened. After king was intrigued. “I want
the “new world” by en- a little while, the soldiers to see it too!”
slaved Africans from Gha- headed back outside to The king immediately de-
na, the historical thread of continue their journey. As manded to his soldiers
how Nanzi was introduced they picked up the sack, to be put in a sack and
on Aruba follows the en- the poor herder started be placed in the ocean.
slaved Africans in Cura- screaming to let him out, Naturally, Shon Arei died
cao during the colonial but the soldiers ignored because of this. He was
era, which saw the biggest him, thinking it was Nanzi. never found again. Nanzi
population of enslaved Af- followed the soldier back
ricans in the Dutch Carib- Shon Arei went strolling a to the castle, where sat
bean. while later. He thought to once again on the late
himself: “This time Nanzi king’s thrown and put his
The stories of Compa Nan- could not get away with crown on. He took posses-
zi were a sign of hope for his foolishness. He probably sion of all of Shon Arei’s be-
freedom among the slaves, drowned in that sack ages longings, and lived the rest
who passed around differ- his beard bounced up and Nanzi’s head and pushed ago.” That is why, when he of his life as king.
ent stories involving the fa- down on his chin. Nanzi just him in a sack. saw Nanzi walk behind the
mous spider through word slipped past him, looked herd of sheep on the street, Story and pictures are from
of mouth, due to not being back for a moment then Nanzi was terrified; it looks he was flabbergasted “Kon Nanzi a Nek Shon Arei
able to express their native walk right on in. like this time he won’t get again. “Nanzi! Aren’t you (i otro kuentanan antiano
culture in the new world. away with his schemes. suppose to be at the bot- di e araña sabi)” by Nilda
These stories were a way to Nanzi stumbled upon the To get to the ocean, the tom of the ocean floor?” Pinto.
not only preserve their cul- king’s quarters. With all his soldier walked a long dis-
ture, but it acted as a me- excitement he sat in the tance, and where begin-
dium for relief during the king’s throne, and put on ning to feel very thirsty.
harsh treatment to which his crown that was hanging Luckily they passed by a
they were subjected to. on the side of the throne. It pub, and decided to have
was very hot that day, and a nice cold beer. They set
It wasn’t until the end of the it wasn’t long until Nanzi the sack with Nanzi in it out-
nineteenth century that the too fell asleep, right there side and went to enjoy the
stories of Nanzi were written on the king’s throne. He refreshments. Nanzi was still
down in different languag- was so deep in sleep and trembling with fear in the
es. However, not all stories snoring so loud, that even sack.
are completely alike in ev- when the king found him in
ery country, as is the risk of his seat, Nanzi did not even What is that he hears? A
oral story telling. However, notice. herd of sheep walking by?
one thing will always be “Compadre, listen here!”
dominant in Compa Nan- Shon Arei was flabbergast- Nanzi screamed as loud as
zi’s stories: his sneaky ways ed by the sight of Nanzi he could. The sheep herd-
to get what he wants! on his throne, wearing his er got close to the sack.
crown. How disrespect- “What is this?”
How Nanzi fooled the king ful! “Soldiers, get him!” he
One day Nanzi was taking commanded. Nanzi was “Man, there is something
a stroll near the castle of sound asleep, but when very beautiful in here that
Shon Arei, the king. He had the soldiers picked him up, you can see. It’s very rare
this sudden urge to walk in. he jumped from fright. By and strange, but indeed,
He didn’t think too much then though, the soldier al- there is something so beau-
about it and committed to ready had him in their hold. tiful in here that you’ve
what he had in mind. It was never seen or will ever see,”
a warm afternoon, and the “Put him in a sack, stitch Nanzi told the herder.
castle personnel were tak- it up and throw him in the
ing their afternoon nap. ocean!” the king said furi- The herder, very dumb, be-
Even the soldier guarding ously. Two soldiers imme- lieved Nanzi’s word. “Let
the castle door was fast diately entered the cham- me see!” he said.
asleep, snoring so loud that ber, took the crown off “Well if you must insist,”