The Peasant and the Rebel: Indian Aruba in the historical age

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.

Publisher

Archaeological Museum of Aruba

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14473/823