Aruba may be a small island in the Caribbean, but it’s part of a much larger story that began when Christopher Columbus stumbled upon these parts of the world. Today, approximately 87% of Aruba’s economy depends on tourism. A key component of modern tourism marketing is storytelling, driven by a growing demand for authentic experiences from tourists, visitors, and travelers. But it’s not just visitors seeking authenticity—locals are also searching for a deeper connection to their identity, which is often rooted in Aruba’s rich history and cultural heritage.
As a result, many stories have emerged about Aruba’s culture, history, and what makes the island unique compared to the rest of the world. While most of these narratives are based in truth, they often lack depth and cover vast periods in a simplified manner. In my view, this leads to a somewhat distorted understanding of our history and roots. That’s why I started this blog—to dive deeper into the true origins of modern-day Aruba.
Now, after six chapters, we’re getting into the real heart of Aruba’s story.
As covered in previous chapters, one of the main points is that Aruba played a relatively minor role in the grand history of the Caribbean—but that depends on perspective. For the indigenous Arawak and Caiquetios, who came from present-day Venezuela and Colombia, Aruba was incredibly significant. It offered them refuge, allowing them to live free from religious persecution. For the Dutch, who arrived later, the nearby island of Curaçao held more importance due to its strategic position in the Caribbean and the Americas. However, Aruba was essential for them to maintain control over both Curaçao and Bonaire, as well as the trade routes the Spanish used to ship wealth back to Spain.
From 1499 to the late 1600s, Aruba’s social and cultural development was fairly straightforward. Neither the Spanish nor the Dutch allowed European colonization on the island, so the population mainly consisted of the Arawak people, who had converted to Roman Catholicism. Despite this religious shift, they didn’t fully assimilate into European culture.
Aruba’s first major shift came under the control of the Dutch West India Company (WIC) around 1639. When the first iteration of the WIC went bankrupt, a second was founded in September 1674, continuing Aruba’s journey under Dutch influence. It’s important to note, however, that Aruba was not yet officially part of the country we now know as the Netherlands.
So, what shaped Aruba into the diverse melting pot of nationalities, cultures, religions, and traditions that it is today? Why is the standard of living on the island relatively high compared to the rest of the region? Has it always been this way? My research reveals that Aruba has endured its fair share of challenges, including famine, poverty, and economic stagnation. Yet, I believe that the people who lived and worked on Aruba from the late 1600s onward laid the foundation for what we now recognize as the true roots of modern Aruba.
In the upcoming chapters, I’ll dive deep into the period between 1639 and 1791, when Aruba was under the control of the Dutch West India Company (WIC). This era played a crucial role in shaping the island, and it wasn’t until December 31, 1791, that Aruba officially became a colony of “The Netherlands.” There’s much more to uncover about this significant period in Aruba’s history.