Dutch Caribbean

 ARUBA

https://twitter.com/aruba/status/1106148090652868608?lang=ar-x-fm

    Aruba, the 'A' in the ABC islands, is referred to as one happy island, their logo. The people, like most in the Caribbean, are friendly and inviting. The island is, however, less culturally diverse due to the limited African slave traffic (Ganglehoff & LeGrande). Approximately 75% of its population is mixed raced of Amerindian, Spanish, Dutch and African ancestry, often in combination (Hoetink,2021).

https://www.aruba.com/us/our-island/history-and-culture/aruba-flag

Because of Aruba’s strategic location, the Dutch occupied the island in 1636 in order to protect their salt supply from the South American mainland while also ensuring a naval base in the Caribbean during their Eighty Years’ War with Spain (Schields,2016)

The culture of Aruba is an combination of the various cultures that have assimilated and lived on the island, including indigenous peoples of South America, descendants of African slaves, and Spanish and Dutch colonialists.

I'm not too familiar with music or artist from Aruba but I did come across this video while looking for examples. What I like about this video is that, though it's short, it shows the different authentic musical styles of Aruba. Of course though, there has been an infiltration of Soca all through the Caribbean. So you would hear Soca music in Aruba as well.

This is a personal pic of me on a vacation to Aruba, when I tell you the Climate was arid...it was. But I was high up and it was windy up there( atop the Casubari). I was probably contemplating my decision to climb up there at this point😅

CREOLIZATION IN FOOD

    Aruba, being a former Dutch territory in the new world, still maintain aspects of Dutch culture, particularly Dutch food. The climate of the Netherlands, which is mostly wet and cool, is vastly different from that of Aruba, which is warm and dry. You may be asking what this has to do with food but have you ever had one of those rainy and cold days where you would enjoy a soup or a nice hot stew? Well stews are readily enjoyed by the Dutch, suitable for their climate. But due to Dutch influence in Aruba, the Arubans readily enjoy stews any time, any weather condition; it is stew time.

https://www.daringgourmet.com/hachee-dutch-beef-onion-stew/comment-page-1/

https://traveler.marriott.com/eat-and-drink/aruba-local-food/

The top photo is Hachee, a Dutch beef and onion stew and the bottom is stewed goat from aruba called Stoba (can have any meat) Stew is very popular Caribbean wide, attributable to the European invasion/influence.

The video above shows how Stoba is prepared in the Netherland Antilles (ABC islands). The captions are in Dutch but the meat is beef and the other ingredients you should be able to make out. Notice any similarities or differences in how stews are prepared in your culture or how you have prepared it? I for one, have never had yams in any stew I've had before. It should create a savory-sweet flavor I would imagine. 

FUN FACTS!

https://clearkayakaruba.com/10-fun-facts-about-aruba/

• Aruba's water can be enjoyed right from the tap as it is ranked amongst the best in the world
• Aruba has the lowest crime rate in the Caribbean
• Majority of Arubans are multilingual, speaking at least 4 languages
• Aruba had the biggest Oil Refinery in the world during the second World War( Yes that little island nation!)

 I do hope you enjoyed a little glimpse and taste of Aruba!

 

References

Gangelhoff, N. & LeGrand, C. (2020). Tour de Force: A Musical Journey of the Caribbean

Hoetink, H. (2021, October 29). Aruba. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Aruba

Schields, C. (2016). “This is the Soul of Aruba Speaking”: The 1951 Campo Alegre Protest and Insular Identity on Aruba. NWIG: New West Indian Guide / Nieuwe West-Indische Gids, 90(3/4), 195–224. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26552011