At the National Library of Aruba, Parliamentarian Xiomara Maduro attended an informative lecture organized by Fundacion Lanta Papiamento, presented by researcher and language advocate Ramon Todd Dandaré. The lecture, titled “Den kibra di madruga, Aurora di un lenga crioyo: Papiamento”, explored the deep historical roots and development of Aruba’s national language, Papiamento.
During the presentation, Todd Dandaré reviewed some of the oldest known texts written in Papiamento. The historical pieces highlighted included:
- A 250-year-old love letter written on October 5, 1775, demonstrating that Papiamento has long served as a language of love and personal expression.
- The earliest known Papiamento letter from Aruba, dated 1803, in which a group—mostly of Indigenous background—submitted a formal complaint, showing that Papiamento already functioned as a language for social and administrative communication in the 19th century.
- The first Papiamento book from Aruba, a Protestant prayer book from 1864, illustrating the language’s role in the spiritual life of the Aruban community.
Parliamentarian Maduro expressed gratitude to Ramon Todd Dandaré and Fundacion Lanta Papiamento for their tireless dedication to preserving and promoting the Papiamento language.
She stated:
“Each document presented shows that Papiamento was born from our people and grew together with our identity. We have a great responsibility to continue protecting, studying, and honoring our beloved language.”
Maduro emphasized that understanding history is essential for strengthening national pride. She added that Papiamento must continue to be promoted at every level—education, government, and daily life.
“Culture lives in your soul. Our language is a living treasure, and we must continue to give it our attention today, tomorrow, and always.”
Photo Credits : https://diario.aw/categories/noticia/general/mester-sigui-proteha-studia-y-honra-nos-papiamento
