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Keyword
Aruba
History
Culture
Identity
Indian
Amerindian legacy
Christianization
History
Culture
Identity
Indian
Amerindian legacy
Christianization
Location research
Date
2003
License
Publisher
Archaeological Museum of Aruba
Language
English
ISSN
ISBN
Citations
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Alofs 2003.pdf
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Abstract
The Aruban population is proud of its Amerindian cultural legacy, which acts as a 'reinvented tradition' in Aruba's national identity. In this paper, I analyse the myth and facts of this Indian heritage in the colonial age (1636-1795). On one hand, Aruba was a place of refuge to Indian settlers on the almost but forgotten island. Aruba was a safe haven or a reserve to some of the last surviving Indian populations in the Caribbean archipelago. On the other hand, during the 17th and 18th century, Christianization took place and the formation of a unique Caribbean peasant type -'the cunucero'- occurred. The increasing presence and pressure by the Dutch administration resulted in protest and rebellion from the side of the Aruban Indians. During the 19^ century, the Amerindian population assimilated into the colonial society.
Citation
Alofs, L. (2003). The Peasant and the Rebel: Indian Aruba in the historical age. In Alofs, L., Dijkhoff, R. (eds.). Proceedings of the XIXth International Congress for Caribbean Archaeology, International Association for Caribbean Archaeology, Aruba, July, 22-28, 2001. Volume 2: 240-256. Publication of the Archaeological Museum Aruba, volume 9.