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Native Heritage Month Episode CCLXXIX - 279
Each November, Native American Heritage Month
celebrates the rich histories and diverse cultures of In-
digenous people and communities around the world,
but in Aruba, “Etnia Nativa,” which means “native
ethnicity, has the daily honor of celebrating the tradi-
tions and contributions of Native Arubans in a mean-
ingful, long-lasting way.
Since 1971, this private educational initiative pioneer-
ing in heritage themes and indigenous values has
taken the lead in contributing to the island’s culture,
conveying heritage passion and ancestral knowl-
edge into an unforgettable experience. Guided by
the principles that Native Arubans are still here and only museum in Aruba that interprets
Native art and practice are connected throughout native art, ancestral ceremonies, and
time, Etnia Nativa connects the artistic achievements the natural world as well as the colo-
of its heritage curator through traditional and con- nial past of the ABC islands. It is where
temporary means. Its staging presentation of objects, a native approach and native spirit
art work, texts, images, etc. creates a vibrant and im- vibrate in every corner of the dwelling
mersive native link that aims to tell the authentic story and the only place that promotes Aru-
of the island, delving into the richness of its heritage ban native art and culture around the
and linking ancient objects with contemporary art- world.
works. Storytelling focuses on the authentic. It’s about der, demanding total submission. How-
a unique encounter inside an environment where the ever, the native spirit is relentless and Etnia Nativa recycles waste into art—in
visitor lives in the past, gains knowledge about the resistant, but Aruba must be protected masks, paintings, rock carvings, sculp-
present, and carries the experience into the future. from those who wish to line their pock- tures, books, photos, antiques, plants,
ets with its resources. This is essential and dissected animals—inviting you to
The exclusive private museum honors the native he- if natives of the island are to live and learn regarding our natives. We guar-
reditary heritage by nurturing roots and preserving harvest the moons to come. A cata- antee invaluable traditional knowl-
connections with its ancestors. It values the way of lytic quality of tribal and island com- edge and the intangible living heri-
the Arubans and their lives before, during, and after munity life was all they had to hold on. tage of Aruba’s bygone generation.
the arrival of the Castilians and other colonial powers. Whether it was planting maize, beans, Follow the “native ethnicity” of Aruba
Aruban people survived the time of the Dutch W.I.C., squash, or cassava; hunting deer, rab- thought Island Insight, cultural blog of
the colonial period, and two world wars. Today, the bits, or iguanas; gathering wild fruits this newspaper for topics like: The an-
“progress” preaches globalization as a new world or- and vegetables; harvesting seafood; cestors of Aruba—episode 110; Genet-
ic Inheritance through mtDNA—epi-
trading with the mainland and adja- sode 151; Aruba ancestral legacy I &
cent islands; or simply paying homage II—episode 272/3.
to the Creator. Aware that the native Aruban heritage
is often denied by government author-
Etnia Nativa’s owner and concept de- ities and foreign authors, Etnia Nativa
veloper is a multi-talented individual continues to firmly share its education-
recognized for his skills as a printmaker, al vision of the true Aruba’s roots, cel-
clay artist, amateur anthropologist, ebrating Native Heritage Month once
newspaper columnist, and more. His again.
artistic expression involves a fusion of
native influence and design, often ex-
pressed through geometric “glyphs” If you are interested in learning the
that reflect the traditional Arubans true identity of Aruba, booking a visit
relationship to the environment. By to Etnia Nativa—the only “living mu-
weaving indigenous techniques and seum” of the Caribbean—would be a
spiritual teachings into their work, they fantastic choice. It has been a trend
aim to honor and preserve cultural tra- setter since 1994, as a co-founder of
ditions. projects such as Arikok National Park,
Since 1971, native ethnicity’s concept the Archaeological Museum, and the
sprang out of the earth as an artistic Artisan Foundation, among others. Ev-
and cultural experiment at “Shidaha- ery week, our newspaper continues to
raca Gallery” in Oranjestad. From 1994, share its valuable knowledge. Don’t
it started to use the name “Etnia Nativa miss the opportunity to feel the island’s
Art Gallery and Museum,” occupying spirit through learning real stories that
its own building, constructed from reus- are not just remembered; they reso-
able materials, in the northwest part of nate, they’re felt, and they stir souls.
the island, a neighborhood known as WhatsApp +297 592 2702 etnianati-
Westpunt, gaining recognition as the
va03@gmail.com q
