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Tuesday 4 June 2024 locAl
A10

The stories of “Compa Nanzi”

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