SLIDE 1 : We start here. An island in the Caribbean sea inhabited by the Caquetio.
*The Caquetios “...were a branch of the Arawak group who were farmers, skilled merchants, and navigators” (Green, 1969, p. 31)
Additionally, as Green stated (1969) there are some archaeological evidence that show that it is possible that two different populations inhabited the island before it was colonized, Arawak and Ciboney.
Also, as a consequence of immigration to the island, it is possible that other indigenous groups came to the island.
SLIDE 2: In 1499, Alonso de Ojeda and Amerigo Vespucci traveled to America for the first time commissioned by the Catholic Monarchs.
SLIDE 3: The Spanish and Italian navigators went through the coast of Venezuela and also arrived on the island of Aruba. By then, the Caquetios spoke what some referred to as a "broken Spanish".
SLIDE 4: This trip was the first of a series of what became known as the "Andalusian journeys" that were supposed to be proof of the veracity of Colon’s version of the New world’s riches.
SLIDE 5: After this trip, the navigators returned to Spain with stocks of cotton and wood from the island. Even though, they didn't find Gold an interest was kindled in Aruba and they colonized the ABC islands.
SLIDE 6: In 1508, the Spanish Crown appointed Alonso de Ojeda as its first Governor to strengthen their hold on Aruba. However, after considering the territory unprofitable, the Spanish left the islands, which were then acquired by the Dutch in 1636 for nearly two centuries.
*Indeed, as (Green, 1969, p.33) stated, quoting (Van Heelceren, 1960) “the Dutch [took the island], apparently motivated by a desire to defend themselves from the Spanish trade barriers at home and the wish to strike their enemy in the weakest spot, more than an actual interest in the islands as such”.
SLIDE 7: Because of the conflicts in Europe, they were unable to resist Napoleon's influence. So, the British Royal Navy took advantage and occupied Dutch colonies.
SLIDE 8: The British occupied the islands from 1799 to 1802 and left them for two years due to a truce in Europe. Later, they returned to Aruba and stayed until 1816.
SLIDE 9: In 1816, the Dutch took possession of the island again.
SLIDE 10: Papiamento was influenced by the colonial powers mentioned before as well as west african slaves and the portuguese, although they didn’t colonize the island.
*It is important to point out that the portuguese influences in Aruba does not result from colonization, but rather through the Sephardic Jews who came from the Iberian Peninsula, which includes Portugal. As well as through African slaves who came to the island through Capo Verde where their languages were also affected by Portuguese.
SLIDE 11: The first proof of Papiamento was discovered in a letter from 1775.
*This is a proof of the use of Papiamento by the elite.
SLIDE 12: In 1986, Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles to become officially an autonomous Caribbean country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
SLIDE 13: All in all, the colonial past and migration show the Aruban society as a hybrid culture, which is also reflected in their language; Papiamento.
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