Page 13 - AHATA

Monday 30 deceMber 2024 locAl
A10

The legend of the Kibrahacha tree

(Oranjestad)—The Kibrahacha is One day Aterima, who lived west to toe in thorns, with only a few
a famous tree known locally for its of the hill Sero Warawara, woke up closed flowers at the very top. Ku-
bright, yellow flowers that blooms one day to find her father sleeping dawecha, experienced veteran in
for just three days. Scientifically in his hammock, suffering a bout of all things Aruban flora and fauna,
known as Tabebuia billbergii, and terrible fever. Her mother was very told Aretima to start plucking the
in English as the Yellow Poui, this worried, and as was the custom in thorns of the tree to climb to the
tree is native to the Caribbean is- the olden days, asked Aterima to top where the flowers are. Aretima,
lands of Aruba, Bonaire and Cu- go fetch Kudawecha, who was a just as determined to save her fa-
racao, and is considered among epistemophile, to come see his fa- ther, didn’t hesitate to start.
locals as one of the most spectac- ther.
ular trees on the island. But did you To her surprise, every time she
also know that the beautiful yellow Aterima wasted to time and went plucked a thorn of the tree, a
flowers have a story behind them? to go fetch Kudawecha. Upon bright, yellow flower bloomed in
telling Kudawecha that her father its place. The thorns were hard to
The Kibrahacha is said to have ex- was sick, he immediately accom- pluck out, but Aretima continued
tremely hard wood—so hard that panied Aretima back to her hut, plucking with enthusiasm and won-
it can break an axe. In fact, that’s where he encountered her father der at the unfolding sight before
what its name means in Papiamen- in a bad state. Not willing to waste her. Not too long after she was able
to: “kibra” (break) “hacha” (axe). any time, he told Aretima that the to fill her entire satchel with the yel-
The flowers bloom around April and only thing that can cure her father is low flowers. Kudawecha, satisfied sprung up feeling new.
May, but this only last for about a home-made potion made out of to see Aretima so happy and en-
three days, as the flowers start to the Kibrahacha flower. At the time couraged to help her father, took The next morning, they all visited
fall off and the tree starts growing the Kibrahacha was not yet in her her back to her hut. the same Kibrahacha tree that
its green leaves. The Kibrahacha is blooming season, but the stubborn saved the life of Aretima’s father
especially particular, as it’s the only Kudawecha was determined to Upon arriving back at the hut, and they saw another miracle.
one among its neighboring trees to bring back Aretima’s father back Aretima’s mother quickly made a The tree was covered again in the
starts blooming first. to health, and so off they went to tea out of the flowers and gave it same bright, yellow flowers, with
the nearest Kibrahacha tree. to her sick husband. Miraculously, not a thorn in sight. And as the leg-
The legend of the Kibrahacha after just one sip of the tea, the end goes, from that day on, the
Written by Hubert (Lio Booi) When they arrived at the tree, father’s fever left his body imme- Kibrahacha tree no longer pro-
they saw that it was covered head diately, and he opened eyes and duced any more thorns. q

Aruba’s Nature is to be Cherished

ST. CRUZ — The national park Leatherback (Dermochelys common sight as they are
Arikok comprises almost 18 coriacea) heads back to sea vulnerable to degradation of
% of the island. Its rugged after laying her eggs, while feeding and nesting habitats
terrain, desert-like hills filled another nest laid 2 months (Wetlands). (Source: arikok
with tall cacti, breathtaking ago by the same female national park)
coastline and protected lo- hatches. A very rare occur-
cal flora and fauna welcome rence of daytime nesting The aforementioned is just
you to be explored. There is and hatching. Sea turtles a part of what Aruba’s na-
numerous wildlife to discover prefer nesting in the cool and ture has to offer. We cannot
like for example the sea tur- dark hours of the night. And stress enough to go, see for
tle who lays his eggs on the hatchlings usually wait for the yourself. The island has the
park’s beaches. There are cue of cooling surface sand most beautiful beaches but
more places on the island before emerging. it is also worthwhile to go be-
that are a preserved area yond this and get an idea
like the Bubali Plas which is Bubali Magic of our entire island. Lately
a bird sanctuary. This beautiful close-up image there is a discussion going
of the pink bird is courtesy on about the effect certain
The national park Arikok of Michiel Oversteegen of activities have on our na-
takes you on a memorable the Aruba Birdlife Conserva- ture, for example the ATV
journey of the islands past tion. This important founda- vehicles cause a lot of dust,
offering unique geological, tion showcases and builds noise and leave tire tracks.
cultural and historical sites. awareness of Aruba’s birds Animals live in these areas
These can all be enjoyed and other native flora and where the vehicles run, of-
and explored either on your fauna. You may have seen a ten with high speed and with
own or during guided tours. A ‘pink cloud’ lately at the Bub- detrimental consequences
wide variety of educational ali or Spanish Lagoon Wet- to flora and fauna. Motor-
and informative programs lands areas? It’s most likely to ized vehicles are forbidden
and fun activities is available. be Roseate Spoonbills (Ajaia to drive on the sand dunes
ajaja) or ‘Chucharon Cora’ in the Northern part of the
Did you know that four of as they are known in Papia- island and all beaches in
the in total seven species mento. This unusual looking Aruba are forbidden for any
of sea turtle lay their eggs bird forages in shallow mud- motorized vehicle. Treasure
on Aruba's beaches? In the dy water while sweeping its our island to enjoy it like you
national park, a Least Tern flattened bill from side to side do: as a tropical and natural
(Sternula antillarum) keeps a to catch small fish, crustae- paradise. We truly appreci-
strict eye on a very special ceans and other aquatic ate it!q
event taking place below invertebrates. The Roseate
on the beach: a majestic Spoonbill remains an un-