Page 7 - AHATA

Saturday 4 OctOber 2025 locAl
A10

Episode CCCXXII-322
Aruba’s Journey Through Education and Culture

TThe narrative of Etnia Nativa highlights the impor-
tance of reclaiming Aruba’s cultural identity and
heritage. Through this platform, it shares an authentic
native perspective, educates the public, and inspires
readers to adopt an “island caretaker” mindset.

Join us and discover how education and literacy
have shaped Aruba’s contemporary cultural life.
Day-to-day life in early 19th-century Aruba was
largely monotonous. Many people preferred to rest
in hammocks, seeking refuge from the scorching sun
and oppressive heat. Reading was uncommon—
partly due to a long-standing misinterpretation of an
old proverb passed down through generations, which
warned that “reading can drive people mad.”
At that time, only two schools had been established
on the island. The public school offered Protestant
education in Dutch, while the Roman Catholic school
provided instruction in Spanish. In the late 1800s, nuns tion of the Curaçao Library, which was Around this time, the library moved to
gradually took over teaching responsibilities. part of the Netherlands Antilles branch a larger building in Oranjestad to ac-
Schools were opened in Oranjestad, Noord, and San- of the Algemeen Nederlands Verbond commodate the island’s growing ap-
ta Cruz. In Oranjestad, Dutch was the only language (Universal Dutch Association). The city petite for reading.
of instruction in both public and Catholic schools. of Rotterdam contributed nearly 500 This expansion continued into San Nico-
In contrast, schools in Noord and Santa Cruz began books to the library’s founding collec- las, where a library branch opened to
to replace Spanish with Papiamento—the local lan- tion. the public in September 1959. It soon
guage. By the turn of the century, a school in Sava- The arrival of the oil industry in 1924— developed into a fully functioning pub-
neta was also teaching in Papiamento. Meanwhile, with companies like Eagle and Lago lic library, with dedicated sections for
a small Protestant school was founded in Piedra Plat, Petroleum Corporation—had a signifi- both adults and children.
located northeast of the Hoiberg hill. cant impact on education and voca- Tired of Aruba’s tourist façade? Then
Although Aruba did not experience significant eco- tional training. The Lago Oil Company it’s time to go deeper. Etnia Nativa isn’t
nomic or demographic growth during this period, is- launched a top-of-the-line appren- a souvenir shop or staged attraction—
landers generally lived content and peaceful lives. ticeship program to teach young men it’s the island’s cultural heartbeat.
With the exception of folk dances, religious cere- English, mechanical and technical An authentic, ever-evolving space,
monies, and harvest festivals—some of which were skills, preparing them to work at what founded in 1994 by a visionary who
documented in Van Meeteren’s Volkskunde (Eth- was then the world’s most modern oil helped shape Aruba’s National Park,
nology)—very little historical literature captures the refinery. Aruba’s first trade school was Archaeological Museum, and local ar-
island’s early cultural evolution. However, Hartog’s officially established in 1952. tisan traditions.
writings mention Aruba’s first native Antillean poet, In terms of literary culture, the Aruba Tucked away in the high-rise area, this
“Mosa Lampe,” who reportedly wrote letters in Dutch Boekhandel (Aruba Bookshop) began private cultural sanctuary isn’t on tour
and enjoyed composing and reading Dutch poetry. as a single small business in the 1950s. It maps—and that’s intentional. It’s for
In 1894, the Arubasche Courant (Aruban Newspaper) eventually expanded into a company those who seek authenticity over con-
was founded. As the century progressed, reading operating five separate shops. Unlike venience.
gradually became more widespread, although ac- bookstores in the Netherlands, Aruba’s Think that’s you? Come find out. Ex-
cess to formal education remained limited. bookshops also sold toys and other perience Etnia Nativa Whats App+297
In 1905, a library was established in Aruba. Initially non-literary items, which helped at- 592 2702 etnianativa03@gmail.com.q
serving only 12 members, it functioned as a subsec- tract customers and boost book sales.
Within ten years, book turnover had
increased to nearly four times what it But Etnia Nativa isn’t just a place — it’s
had been in 1950. a gateway. Quietly tucked away near
Magazines—primarily imported from the high-rise hotels, this private resi-
the United States—had a monthly cir- dence also serves as a cultural sanc-
culation of approximately 30,000 cop- tuary, unknown to most tourists. And
ies. While this might suggest that Eng- that’s part of its magic. Intentionally
lish-language publications were more exclusive, it welcomes only those with
popular than Dutch ones that was not a genuine curiosity and a thirst for au-
the case. The sale and circulation of thentic discovery.
Dutch books—particularly through the
Public Library—consistently exceeded Connect with the spirit and soul of Aru-
those of English titles. ba’s ancient heritage through a one-
The Public Library experienced signifi- of-a-kind experience.
cant growth. Initially, it circulated ap-
proximately 15,921 books. By the 1960s, WhatsApp: +297 592 2702 or
that number had risen to over 60,000— Email: etnianativa03@gmail.com
more than one book per resident.