Page 14 - AT

A14 LOCAL
Tuesday 3 March 2020

Quiripa, Indian button, Dutch pipes, fish bones and shells Episode LVIII - (58)

ORANJESTAD — Since prehistoric times many things were used to make
jewelry and ornaments. The existence of man and his participation in
the manufacture of tribal objects was spiritually essential. The purpose of
these objects was to give a sense of distinction. Since ancient times there
was an incessant demand to satisfy the social group’s request.

Pic. 1 Native necklace made out of composed materials

These artistic creations worked as a clothing buttons These shell buttons or
medal of bravery for a warrior, as a quiripa were found in large numbers
symbol of recognition and also as a during an archaeological rescue ex-
magic totem for shamans and clan cavation in the Santa Cruz district of
leaders, a talisman to drive away Aruba. They should know that Santa
omens and bad spells. Others pro- Cruz was a very important settlement
moted physical recuperation or spiri- during the Aruba Ceramic Period and
tual healing and spread powers of a highly organized community.
body cleansing. However, they were
always considered as symbols of po- The remarkable thing is that different
litical status and valued as a commer- cultures from around the world con-
cial article. tinue to use these objects with the
similar purposes with which our ances-
In Aruba, fish bones, sea shells and tors used to do it.
feathers were used to make these We also know that the land shells of
types of objects but only a few kind of the Bulimulus snail genus were used
white seashell were considered in the by the natives of Texas to make neck-
fabrication of quiripa. laces; Stillman Berry, an American
Quiripa`s were mostly circular in shape marine zoologist, records a necklace
and had a central perforation were a of land shells of the Oreohelix yavapai
string could be passed through. This species made by Javasupai natives
was in order to make chokers or neck- from the Coconino county in Arizona.
laces in a wide variety of sizes and These types of land shells are difficult
shapes. Diameter of a single quiripa to obtain and are even more delicate
could be from 2mm while other could to work into jewelry.
be as big as 10 cm.
On the island of Pascua or Easter Is-
During one of many expeditions we land in Chile, its inhabitants are re-
held, accompanied by late Dutch minded of Polynesian customs and
Archeologist Dr. Eb Boerstra we had when they say goodbye to their ac-
stumbled upon a place were bro- quaintances they do so by giving
ken Strombus shells were abundant. them a shell necklace that recalls the
Strombus shells were often used for lei garland of the Hawaiians.
the manufacturing of various deco-
rative and ceremonial ornaments. In Africa the Wodaabe produce
Some of the elaborated Strombus bracelets with Cypraea shells and in
shells that we have discovered were Mauritania the shells are used as jew-
zoomorphic in shape. One was in the elry by women.
form of daggers and some had one The shells have been and continue
or more perforations, while others to be inspirational objects for handi-
were not yet finished or drilled. Con- crafts since the time of the Incas and
temporary Aruban natives calls the Egyptians.
circular made Strombus shell, “boton
di Indjan” because of their similarity to Coninued on Page 15