Culture of Aruba

Aruba's culture is unique in the Caribbean because it is defined more by geography than by history. While other islands suffered from the squabbling of European nations, Aruba remained relatively unwanted because its desert land was not good for sugar production. This lack of plantation-style farming also kept Aruba relatively free from the African slave trade and the troubles it caused in other nations. Despite other slavery issues, Aruba was extremely peaceful, and this peace is certainly evident today

The people and culture of Aruba has many different backgrounds. One can go from the Indians, to the Spanish, and more recently, the Dutch. Yet, through the years Aruba has become the home for many different people. Especially since the 20th century when industry has blossomed and people from all corners of the world call this island home. It can easily be said that Aruba is now made up of at least 40 different nationalities all living peacefully together.

Nowadays, the nearly 100,000 inhabitants of Aruba reflect it's greatly changing history. Through local foods, architecture, celebrations, and languages one can immediately see the different influences the past settlers had on the island. Yet, the Dutch, up to this day continue to be the most influential people on Aruban society since the Dutch language is the official tongue of the Aruban people and Aruba continues to have close ties to the Netherlands.

One of the most incredible cultural traits of the Aruban people is their ability with language. Most know and speak four languages: Dutch, English, Spanish, and their own native Papiamento. You will often find Aruban nationals mixing these languages in day-to-day speech.

Papiamento is formed from a mixture of every language spoken in the region, including French and Portuguese. It is spoken widely throughout every island of the Netherlands Antilles, and on Aruba, a former member that is now an independent part of the Dutch Kingdom. On Aruba, however, the Papiamento dialect is most heavily Spanish-based.

Cultural Celebrations

Aruba has its own distinct culture, which often includes celebrations. Color and music play an important role in the majority of cultural events, most notably in the yearly Carnival and Dia Di San Juan (St. John's Day) celebrations.

Arubans dress in red and yellow to represent fire during the Dia Di San Juan celebration. This celebration originates from a combination of pre-Christian Arawak harvest festivals and the works of Spanish missionaries to combine them with the celebration of San Juan. Aruba is the only country in the world that celebrates this day with dancing and singing. During the celebration a singer will chant a familiar "dera gai"(dead rooster) tune while players accompany the song with drum, violin, and local instrument called a "wiri". While they sing, they whil choose someone to come and try to hit a fake rooster with his eyes close. When that person hit it, in that rooster, it will bring a wonderful smell. This wonderful smell comes from the fruit calabas.

Arubans will often refer to Carnival as Bacchanal, a term based on the Greek and Roman celebrations dedicated to Dionysus for the Greeks and Bacchus for the Romans, their god of wine, vegetation, and cheer. Aruba's Bacchanalia shares some similarities with the ancient celebrations.

The Greeks wrote tragedies for these celebrations, and modern-day Arubans also use this time for artistic expressions. Similarly, they each have a religious significance. Aruba's Carnival is about cleansing one's body of sins, like the historic celebrations, and helps the people of Aruba prepare for Lent. "Aruba's Official Carnival Concept Design " as it is called, infuses themse of music, dance, colors, creativity, and merriment.

The New Year celebration in Aruba also includes a number of cultural superstitions and traditions; the traditional celebration is called dande. The name "dande" also spelled "dandee" comes from the Papiamento word, "dandara" meaning "to revel", "to carouse" or "to have a good time". After King William III of the Netherlands declared slaves to be free, the celebration began.

A group of five or six people usually performs these rituals, though more can join in. These people accompany a singer and travel door-to-door to express their best wishes for the New Year. Repetitive songs, with the chorus which includes the phrase "ai nobe"(anja nobo,"new year") sung after each phrase. The celebratory travel usually leads to the houses of the singers' friends and family, where the host collects money in his hat to give to the group. Certain districts may have their own dande groups performing on the second day of the year.

Daily Life

Several items of Aruba's rich culture are worth special notice. Arubans' love for music extends far beyond cultural celebrations. Types of music most often heard on the island are calypso, soca, merengue, and a local combination known as socarengue, which is usually accompanied by dancing that many would consider risqué.

Education is also an important issue in Aruban culture. The government has budgeted nearly 17 percent of its expenses for educational spending, creating a well-informed populace. Schools are available from nursery level through higher education, with the University of Aruba and the Teacher Training College. Many students also explore opportunities for higher education abroad.

Aruba's slogan "One Happy Island" can almost certainly be attributed to its culture and its peaceful past. Without wars and with little slavery, Aruba has made a safe and easy transition from a Dutch colony to a nation with its own culture and people.