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local Friday 4 august 2023
Aruba: the legend behind its name

(Oranjestad)—Most folkloric tales soon as we have any information,
and legends in Aruba revolve we will let you know." Armed with
around our indigenous ancestors, arrows and spears, backpacks
who came from mainland Venezu- filled with food and water con-
ela, and discovered the island and tainers, they set off. They climbed
made it into their new home. This several small hills, but no sign of a
particular legend tells the story of village. They crossed different dry
the birth of the Aruba name. riverbeds, but no sign of anything.
When the sun finally descended,
The legend follows the life of Arua, they found themselves near a fairly
an indigenous Cacique originally tall hill and decided to climb it for a
from Aroa in the Falcon state in better view of a village. This hill was
Venezuela in the year 50 AD. Arua called Pan Dushi or Orcuyo, which
had a son around the year 70 AD today we call Hooiberg.
with his wife Shira, who they named
Corobori. When Corobori was old The next morning, they could
enough, he joined his father on the clearly see that they have landed
usual boat trip to the islands of Cu- on an island, but an unfamiliar one
racao and Bonaire to gather salt. at that. When Corobori went back
to where his father was waiting, he
On their way back to Mainland told him the news: “Father Arua,
Venezuela, they were caught up in you have just discovered an island,
a heavy rain storm—a side effect but it is not Curacao or Bonaire. Far
from a passing, but far away, hur- in the south, we saw the big moun-
ricane. Of course, because of the tains of our homeland Venezuela,
lack of motors and sail, their boat which we could have never seen
was left in the mercy of the heavy on the other island. This leads us to
winds. After a while, the storm believe we are on a new island.
started to pass, and the clouds be- But that’s not all. When the sun
gan to clear up. Finally able to see came up, we saw in the distance a
around them, the Cacique spot- glowing plain, which we think may
ted land approximately an hour be salt.”
away. So, they started to row in
that direction until they reached The Cacique was pleased to hear
the coast. of his son’s findings. He decided to
stay a couple days on the newly-
Once they arrived on what they discovered island in search for salt.
thought was Venezuela, they de- The next morning they ascended
cided to stay the night and fix their Hooiberg again and stayed to see
kayak. The next morning, the Caci- if they could find nearby smoke, in- salt. After a couple days of explor- not forget that it is also yours. This is
que ordered his son and a few war- dicating an inhabitant village. But ing the island and gathering some my last wish: When I die, bury me in
riors to go find any sign of popula- they found nothing. So they went salt rocks, they left for Venezuela, our maize plantation.”
tion in the area: "Corobori,” Arua back to their initial arrival settle- where they were reunited with
said. “Don't come back without ment, now known as Santo Largo their families. And so when the Cacique passed
news. It’s in your hands how long in Savaneta. The next morning they away, his wishes were granted and
we stay here till we find our family. hiked along the Spaans Lagoen Throughout the year, they travelled he was laid to rest in the area we
So, if you need to take a week to near the Mangel Halto Beach and back and forth to Aruba, collect- now know as the Paradera Cem-
gather information, we will wait for reached the area of Bushiri. There, ing salt. After a while they settled etery. Where he used to live, they
you." they boarded they kayaks and on the island, generations of fami- built the Paradera Church.
heading to what we know now as lies living along the coast. Corobori
"Don't worry,” Corobori replied. “As Malmok, where they found rocks of
was the first indigenous inhabitant And that is the tale of what inspired
in our history to explore the entirety the Aruba name. In the genera-
of the island. tions that lived or travelled back
and forth to the island, there were
Arua, after decades as the lead- many familiar names*, like Guadiri-
er of his tribe, spent his last days ki, a warrior who was there when
on the island. Having reached 80 the island got discovered and his
years old, he called for his family son, whom he called Huliba; Coro-
on his death bed. In his hammock, bori and his children, Corodori,
he said: “My children, many years Camacuri and Turibana, Masiduri;
have passed, and I’ve asked my and Malmok, the 13-year-old boy
warrior to bring me back to the is- who alerted the Cacique when
land so I can laid to rest. The God the Caribes attacked.
of living has given me the gift of life
to see my son, grandchildren and Familiar names: all these names are
great grandchildren. But now he familiar to Arubans, as these are
is calling me home. Corobori, my the names of places and plants on
torch is now passed to you. Guide the island. q
our people, and be the leader you
were always meant to become. If Source: Un storia di e Indjan Arua
one day you leave my island, do (A story of the Indian Arua) by Adolf
(Dufi) Kock