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LOCAL Thursday 23 OcTOber 2025

The stories of “Compa Nanzi”

(Oranjestad)—The most popular crown off Nanzi’s head and pushed
character you may hear about in the It wasn’t until the end of the nine- him in a sack.
Caribbean is Anansi, known locally teenth century that the stories of
on Aruba as “Compa Nanzi”. Local Nanzi were written down in different Nanzi was terrified; it looks like this
children grew up hearing the tales of languages. However, not all stories time he won’t get away with his
the conniving spider, and his legacy are completely alike in every coun- schemes. To get to the ocean, the
forms part of the oral narrative tradi- try, as is the risk of oral story telling. soldier walked a long distance, and
tion that is common in Aruba. However, one thing will always be where beginning to feel very thirsty.
dominant in Compa Nanzi’s sto- Luckily they passed by a pub, and
Although the stories are most popu- ries: his sneaky ways to get what decided to have a nice cold beer.
lar in the Caribbean, “Compa Nan- he wants! They set the sack with Nanzi in it out-
zi” is not entirely unknown globally, side and went to enjoy the refresh-
especially not in the West African How Nanzi fooled the king ments. Nanzi was still trembling with
region. Brought to the “new world” One day Nanzi was taking a stroll fear in the sack.
by enslaved Africans from Ghana, near the castle of Shon Arei, the king.
the historical thread of how Nanzi He had this sudden urge to walk in. What is that he hears? A herd of
was introduced on Aruba follows He didn’t think too much about it sheep walking by? Nanzi could not get away with his
the enslaved Africans in Curacao and committed to what he had “Compadre, listen here!” Nanzi foolishness. He probably drowned
during the colonial era, which saw in mind. It was a warm afternoon, screamed as loud as he could. The in that sack ages ago.” That is why,
the biggest population of enslaved and the castle personnel were tak- sheep herder got close to the sack. when he saw Nanzi walk behind the
Africans in the Dutch Caribbean. ing their afternoon nap. Even the “What is this?” herd of sheep on the street, he was
soldier guarding the castle door was flabbergasted again. “Nanzi! Aren’t
The stories of Compa Nanzi were a fast asleep, snoring so loud that his “Man, there is something very beau- you suppose to be at the bottom of
sign of hope for freedom among beard bounced up and down on tiful in here that you can see. It’s very the ocean floor?”
the slaves, who passed around dif- his chin. Nanzi just slipped past him, rare and strange, but indeed, there
ferent stories involving the famous looked back for a moment then is something so beautiful in here that “I was, Your Majesty,” Nanzi replied.
spider through word of mouth, due walk right on in. you’ve never seen or will ever see,” But you know what, there is so many
to not being able to express their na- Nanzi told the herder. things to see down there in the sack!
tive culture in the new world. These Nanzi stumbled upon the king’s Like this herd of sheep. Seeing that
stories were a way to not only pre- quarters. With all his excitement he The herder, very dumb, believed they had no herder, I started walking
serve their culture, but it acted as a sat in the king’s throne, and put on Nanzi’s word. “Let me see!” he said. behind them and gained their trust
medium for relief during the harsh his crown that was hanging on the “Well if you must insist,” Nanzi said, pretty quickly. At the bottom of the
treatment to which they were sub- side of the throne. It was very hot “I’ll let you take a look, but only for a ocean there are so many wonder-
jected to. that day, and it wasn’t long until quick second.” The herder opened ful things, like diamonds, and bags
Nanzi too fell asleep, right there on the sack, and Nanzi immediately of gold. Chests of silver and other
the king’s throne. He was so deep in jumped out. Before the herder could precious stones,” Nanzi told the king.
sleep and snoring so loud, that even even take a look into the sack, Nanzi
when the king found him in his seat, pushed him in it, and the herder fell “What is that you say?” the king was
Nanzi did not even notice. head first in. intrigued. “I want to see it too!”
The king immediately demanded to
Shon Arei was flabbergasted by the Nanzi didn’t waste any time, and his soldiers to be put in a sack and be
sight of Nanzi on his throne, wear- closed off the sack real tight. He placed in the ocean. Naturally, Shon
ing his crown. How disrespectful! then picked up the herder’s hat and Arei died because of this. He was
“Soldiers, get him!” he command- starting walking behind the traveling never found again. Nanzi followed
ed. Nanzi was sound asleep, but sheep as if nothing happened. Af- the soldier back to the castle, where
when the soldiers picked him up, he ter a little while, the soldiers headed sat once again on the late king’s
jumped from fright. By then though, back outside to continue their jour- thrown and put his crown on. He
the soldier already had him in their ney. As they picked up the sack, the took possession of all of Shon Arei’s
hold. poor herder started screaming to let belongings, and lived the rest of his
him out, but the soldiers ignored him, life as king.q
“Put him in a sack, stitch it up and thinking it was Nanzi.
throw him in the ocean!” the king Story and pictures are from “Kon Nanzi
said furiously. Two soldiers immedi- Shon Arei went strolling a while lat- a Nek Shon Arei (i otro kuentanan an-
ately entered the chamber, took the er. He thought to himself: “This time tiano di e araña sabi)” by Nilda Pinto.