Page 19 - AHATA

Saturday 14 June 2025 locAl
A10

Aruba’s neighborhoods; the meaning behind their names

Just like any other coun-
try, Aruba has unique and
beautifully named neighbor-
hoods that all form a part of
its culture and development.
Many of these names have
a historical background and
meaning that teaches us
about the island and its rich
culture every day.

With this series, we want to
take you on a journey of dis-
covery, where you’ll learn Ha) is an Indo-Antillean gen- the name of the neighbor- alike. neighborhood received this
not only the beautiful names eralizing word. If you were to hood is ‘Ayo’. The word ‘Yo’ name from the Hill.
but the history behind it that change a part of the word stands for Yocahu, which is If you’d like to know more
gives it life and meaning. “Ayo”, namely ‘Yo’, to ‘Yu’ another word for ‘creator’ about the rock formations at In the surrounding areas, Do-
and make ‘Ayu’, it would in Arawak/Taino and in the Ayo, stay tuned for our article mingoAntonia Silvestre built
Ayo mean “white.” Papiamento spoken today, where we tell you all about his by his own means the very
Ajo, or Ayo, is a word with ‘Ayo’ means ‘bye’. its location and history. first chapel or church of Aru-
Arawak-Indian origin. A (or However, as we now know, ba. The walls of this church
At Ayo, you can find some This neighborhood’s abbre- were made with rocks but
of the most well known rock viation is; A. the roof was made of dry
formations. These formations corn stalks. The church was
became a well loved and Alto Vista inaugurated by father Pablo
visited attraction at Aruba This word combination can Algemesi
that is held in high regards be roughly translated to a
by both tourists and locals ‘high point of view’ and the If you’d like to know more
about the Alto Vista Church’s
beautiful history, stay tuned
for our article where we tell
you all you need to know
about it for when you visit it.

This neighborhood’s abbre-
viation is; AV.q

Planning on snorkeling? Get to know our “Dorado”

(Oranjestad)—If you’re ever stay close or can keep the
planning on snorkeling dur- group interested by giving
ing your vacation on Aruba, shrimp or squid.
you may spot fish that you
can’t recognize. One of Description:
these may be the “Dorado”, Dorado has a distinctive
a common fish that swims body. It has a large tail and
all year long in the waters its long, flat body ends in a
of Aruba. Here’s some infor- large blunt head. Its color
mation about the beloved of yellow and green or blue
Dorado. makes it immediately rec-
ognizable, even with small
Dorado has many different variations in these colors.
names it can be referred to.
Dral, Dorao, Drals, Drado, are Dorado has clear differences
some of them in Papiamen- between adult females and
to. In English, it is also called males. The male is larger
Mahi Mahi, Dolphinfish, or Do- and can easily reach 50 to
rado. It's a good example to 80 pounds and has a much
reflect on why there can be flatter head compared to
many names. The same fish the female. Therefore, male
becomes known by different called Dolphinfish in Eng- catch and a fish that puts within 1 year but many be- Dorados are also called "bull
common names, why? Com- lish is not well defined and up a good fight. Its meat is come reproductive after just Dorado".
mon names come only when while there are several stories very good for consumption 5 or 6 months and reproduce
a group of people, to under- around this, none have been and it is also commercially very quickly too. Dorado can be found in our
stand each other, assign a confirmed. fished for that reason. They live in open water on waters around the island all
name to a fish. Mahi Mahi, Dorado is found in all tropi- the surface most of the time. year round, but there are
for example, comes from Ha- cal to subtropical oceans They grow very fast, up to Many fish seek them around periods when it is easier to
waii and means "very strong". around the world. Dorado 2.7 inches (almost 7 cm) sushi lines or floating objects find than others. q
Dorado is based on Spanish is very popular both for rec- per week. They can live up on the sea. Often you will find
and refers to the golden yel- reational fishing and for con- to a maximum of 5 years al- a group landing together Source: The Department of
low color that the fish shines sumption. It is known among though very few reach that and if you keep a male on Agriculture, Livestock, and
with under the sun. Why it's fishermen as an exciting age. Most become adults the line, often the others will Fisheries (Santa Rosa).