Etnia Nativa continues its mission to reclaim and recognize Aruba’s cultural roots, often overshadowed by colonial history. This platform works to rediscover and celebrate native traditions, history, and identity.
In Episode CCCVI-306, we delve into the significance of marine mammal bones in prehistoric cultures, focusing on their use as valuable materials for tools, ornaments, weapons, and other objects. Particularly, we highlight the manatee (Trichechus manatus), a large herbivorous marine animal that was a crucial resource for many prehistoric coastal communities.
The Manatee: A Vital Resource
Manatees, often called “sea cows,” share feeding habits similar to cows—grazing on seagrass in shallow coastal waters. These animals are most closely related to elephants, and their grazing habits and marine environment have earned them their common nickname. There are three species of manatees: the Caribbean manatee, the Amazonian manatee, and the African manatee.
Historically, the Caribbean manatee was found along the Atlantic coastline, from Virginia in the U.S. to Brazil. Their primary habitat was the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. Manatees are known for migrating northward in the summer to find cooler water temperatures, as they don’t tolerate warm water well.
Tools Made from Manatee Bones
Manatee bones, especially their dense ribs and long bones, were fashioned into tools in prehistoric cultures. Though rare, these tools provide valuable insights into the everyday life and cultural practices of early coastal communities. Some of the tools made from manatee bones include axes, adzes (for chopping or woodworking), pestles or hammers, and scrapers. In some instances, symbolic or ceremonial items made from manatee bone suggest the bones’ cultural or ritual significance.
These tools are most commonly found in Florida and the southeastern United States, primarily dating from the Archaic and Woodland periods (around 8000 BCE to 1000 CE). However, they may have been used even earlier.
The Significance of Manatee Bone Tools
Manatee bone is exceptionally dense due to the lack of marrow cavities, an adaptation to their aquatic environment that helps them stay submerged. Because of this density, manatee bones were ideal for crafting heavy-duty tools. These tools were often found alongside other marine-based remains, such as shell middens, which reflect prehistoric hunting practices. Manatees were hunted not only for their meat but also for their hide and bones.
Manatee Bone Tools in Aruba
In Aruba, prehistoric inhabitants used manatee bones for similar purposes. One artifact, a small tool crafted from manatee bone, is believed to have had ritual significance. It was likely used in the yopo ceremony, a hallucinogenic ritual still practiced by shamans in parts of South America.
Yopo is prepared from seeds containing DMT, a powerful psychoactive compound. Inhaling the substance induces a trance-like state known as hecura, which results in a visionary experience. The manatee bone tool was likely used to induce vomiting during this ceremony.
Protecting Manatees
Today, manatees are protected under laws such as the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act, and any use of their bones is strictly regulated.
Visit Etnia Nativa for More Insights
If you’re intrigued by Aruba’s ancestral stories and want to explore more about the true identity of Arubans, we invite you to visit Etnia Nativa, the only ‘living museum’ of its kind in the Caribbean. Founded in 1994, Etnia Nativa has played a key role in co-founding cultural institutions, such as the Islands National Park, the Archaeological Museum of Aruba, and various artisan foundations.
For more information, visit us or reach out via WhatsApp at +297 592 2702 or email etnianativa03@gmail.com.
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