Aruba's rich, multicultural heritage is reflected in its cuisine, architecture, artwork, traditions, and the warmth and friendliness of its people. Initially the island was the home of the Archaic and Caquetio people. In the centuries after the first encounter with the Spanish, Aruba exchanged hands to the Dutch, then to the British and back to the Dutch, becoming finally part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
First Inhabitants
The first known inhabitants of the island of Aruba were the Archaic people, who navigated the sea in canoes from the coast of what is now known presently as Venezuela and Colombia and arrived at Spaans Lagoen. These semi-nomadic people fished, hunted, and gathered food but also successfully introduced and cultivated crops such as maize and sweet potatoes. They created stone and shell tools and lived in small family groups in coastal areas (e.g., Malmok and Sero Colorado) as well as inland (e.g., Bringamosa and Canashito).
By A.D. 900/1000, another group of Indigenous people immigrated from the mainland to Aruba, differing in their culture, economic base, physical appearance, and they lived in much larger communities. The Caquetios established at least five villages and cultivated crops like maize and manioc. Scaled-down versions of one of these Indigenous villages, as well as a scaled-down representation of an Indigenous dwelling, can be seen at the National Archaeological Museum of Aruba. The museum also houses remains of ceramic urns, coarse and fine pottery and jewelry made by the Caquetios. Furthermore, there are artefacts of the Spanish and Dutch colonial era, documentaries, and artworks.
Rock drawings and carvings created by the Indigenous people have withstood the test of time, and you can see some of these for yourself at Fontein Cave in the National Park Aruba and at the Ayo Rock Formation. While it is not clear who started the rock drawings, two were dated around A.D. 1000 at a time when both groups were on the island. The Caquetio people were still living on the island when the Spanish arrived
The Spanish
When they arrived in Aruba between 1502 and 1505, the Spanish explored and exploited the island for brasilwood. Because of the absence of precious metals and pearls, the Spanish declared Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao as 'Islas Inútiles'/ ‘Useless Islands’. In 1514, the Spaniards looted the islands, abducted the inhabitants, and transported an estimated 2000 Caquetios as enslaved persons to Española. In 1520 however, Juan de Ampiés began sending groups of Caquetios back to the depleted ABC Islands.
During this early period, the organization of the Spanish government was not well understood. Some government officials with titles of justicia mayor and mayor domo, together with a clerk and possibly a lay brother with their families, formed the handful of Spanish population. The indigenous people were under the direct supervision of a Cacique baptized with a Spanish name.
The Dutch
Due to the ABC-islands' strategic location, the Dutch occupied the islands in 1636 to protect their salt supply from the South American mainland and to establish a naval base in the Caribbean during their Eighty Years' War with Spain. The Dutch recruited the Caquetio people to build farms and raise cattle for meat that would be sold and shipped to other islands. During the Napoleonic Wars, the British invaded and took control of Aruba from 1806 to 1816. It was then returned to Dutch authority in accordance with the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1814. Aruba officially became part of the Netherlands Antilles in 1945.
Throughout the 19th century, the island's economy evolved, centered around gold, phosphate, and the aloe vera industry. Despite these economic activities, Aruba continued to be a relatively underdeveloped region during this period.
Industrial Period
The Lago Oil and Transport Company was established in 1924, and the Arend Petroleum Company followed in 1927. These refineries processed crude oil from the vast Venezuelan oil fields, bringing greater prosperity to the island
The Lago Oil Refinery was one of the largest in the world at the time when Nazi Germany occupied the Netherlands during WW II. Aruba played a significant role in producing most of the aviation fuel for the Allies. Though Aruba's refineries were targeted by German submarines in early 1942, the attack was unsuccessful.
Status Aparte
Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986, a victory lead by political activist and local statesman Betico Croes. With the realization of "Status Aparte," Aruba achieved a status as an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Initially, the plan for Aruba was to achieve complete independence. However, in 1990, Aruba, along with the Netherlands and the Netherlands Antilles, decided to postpone this plan indefinitely. In 1995, the agreement for full independence was repealed.
Tourism Industry
In 1985, Aruba's Oil refinery "Lago" closed, which was a major blow to Aruba's economy. However, the characteristic friendliness and overall hospitality of the Aruban people proved to be key ingredients for the success in the tourism industry. Starting in the fifties of last century, tourism expanded in the nineties to become Aruba’s largest industry. The oil industries in the thirties and the tourism industry in the nineties of last century Aruba contributed to an immigration influx.
Aruba Today
Today, Aruba remains a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Kingdom still controls foreign affairs and national defense, but all internal affairs—including laws, policies, and currency are regulated by the Aruban government. Aruba is a true stewpot, with over 100 nationalities represented in its population of 112,000 residents. Some of this diversity is evident in the number of languages that the average Aruban can speak, typically the native language Papiamento, as well as English, Dutch, and Spanish. The Aruban people enjoy a healthy economy thanks to the tourism industry and widely accessible education that contribute to a very low unemployment rate.
Although after the European encounter, a pluralistic society was created, in our intangible and tangible culture, including our genes, the Indigenous legacy is still present
If you would like to learn more about Aruba's history, try visiting our museums on your next trip. There you will be able to delve deeper into how Aruba's history has shaped who we are as a community today. Come explore the origins of our Aruba Dushi Tera/ One Happy Island.
Official Holiday in Aruba
If you would like to learn more about Aruba’s history, try visiting our museums on your next trip. There, you will be able to delve deeper into how Aruba history has shaped who we are as a community today. Come explore the origins of our One happy island.
