Page 9 - AHATA

a8 local
Friday 22 November 2024

Aruba: the legend behind its name

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