Page 10 - AHATA

Thursday 4 sepTember 2025 locAl
A10

How Aruban beaches came to be

(Oranjestad)—We’ve talk- stretches for miles. In con-
ed about the best beaches trast, the northern area,
to visit on the island before, where the stream is much
but have you ever won- stronger and the ocean
dered how Aruba got its floor is much deeper, there
white, sandy beaches, and is no sand present—they
why there’s a clear differ- were swept away with the
ence between the northern current!
and southern shores? Here
are some fun facts about Why north deep, but south
the development of Aru- shallow?
ban beaches. Ah! Good question…and
interesting phrasing.
How did Aruba get its white,
sandy beaches? Aruba is a continental
Aruba’s beaches have de- island. The island actu-
veloped over the span of ally forms part of South
thousands of years. Waves America, and the space
crashing on the rocky for- between Aruba and the
mations along our coast South American continent
line (which consists mainly is simply referred to as land
of coral reefs) have start- that runs under the ocean.
ed to wear and tear the This is why it gets gradu-
reefs over time, resulting tinue to eat off the corals, the northern and southern where it’s shallow and the ally deeper in the south,
in its gradual breakdown. sand starts to accumulate coast of the island. stream is weaker, the sand whereas the ocean floor in
Fish that feed off corals around the area. Howev- tends to sick to the bot- the north runs steeply to the
also contribute to this, one er, whether the sand stays The sand that accumulates tom faster. This is why the bottom.q
small bite at a time. Over there is another question around a torn coral reef beaches in the south—the
the course of thousands to be answered, and this is is swept away along with areas with weaker stream Source: archival document
of years, as waves contin- where we highlight the big- the debris by the ocean and shallower ocean provided by the National
ue to crash and fish con- gest difference between stream. However, in areas floors—has sand that Archive of Aruba (ANA).

Lessons from our elders: Plants and fruits for medicinal use

(Oranjestad)—Though treat rheumatic diseases, arrowroot powder can be
western medicine is now like arthritis. used to powder babies.
widely used for common
illnesses and to keep our However, breastfeeding Eggplant/Aubergine
bodies healthy and happy, women who cannot pro- Eggplants, or aubergines,
it is still very common in duce much milk are ad- are easy to find in super-
every household in Aruba vised not to consume too markets around the world
(and around the world) to pineapple, and people and can be grown all year
have staple home rem- with acid reflux are recom- round on the island. Relat-
edies that is passed on mended to not consume ed to potato and tomato,
through generations. Here any pineapple at all. eggplants are good to
are some tips that our el- calm nerves. It can also be
ders have passed on to us Arrowroot used to lower blood pres-
over the years. Arrowroot is native to tropi- sure, by steeping its leaves
cal America and can be in boiled water and drink-
Pineapple sold as a powder or whole. ing it. You can also make
Pineapple has more uses It is said that you can take eggplant juice to help puri-
than topping it on your arrowroot powder and fy your blood. However, do
Christmas ham. According make a “shalup” (porridge) make sure to drink slowly;
to elders, the skin of a pine- for stomach pain or when let it mix with your spit and
apple is great to use to re- you’re feeling weak. You then swallow.
fresh your body. Clean the can make it with milk too,
skin thoroughly and make but it is advised to best Eggplant kataplan* can
tea or warapa* with it. It is use just water. You can also be used to treat skin
said that this tea can also also add prunes for a bit of tumors, abscesses and
be drank after an opera- sweetness. Arrowroot sha- hemorrhoids. Eggplant kat-
tion on the ovaries or uter- lup is also good to treat an aplan can also be used ex-
us. This gets rid of irritation unhealthy gut or for diar- ternally to treat arthritis.
and inflammation. rhea.
*warapa: term referring to
When the fruit is unripe and To make arrowroot shalup, a water and sugar solution,
green, this can be used to boil a bit of water and add a.k.a simple syrup.
stimulate menstruation flow one tablespoon of arrow- *kataplan: porridge-like
in women. This also stimu- root powder and stir con- mixture used externally
lates the passing kidney tinuously until you reach for wounds or parts of the
stones. When ripe, the fruit porridge consistency. If you body that are painful or
can be used for poisoning make a shalup with milk, swollen.q
in the gut and can help add a pinch of salt. Raw