Arubans are a people of
striking appearance and are known for their warm and friendly personality.
In fact the earliest inhabitants of the island were a peace-loving tribe, the Arawak Indians who were mainly farmers and fishermen. Arawak cave paintings and rock art designs are still well preserved
although their significance continues to baffle historians.
Geologists have also found clay pottery and
other artifacts in recent excavations showing the fine craftsmanship and artistic
prowess that the Arawaks enjoyed. These qualities are a shared source of
inspiration for many contemporary Aruban craftsmen and artists.
Some typical Aruban attributes such as high
cheekbones are clear manifestations of Indian ancestry, although through the ages
different nationalities such as the Spanish and Dutch have also left
their mark on Aruban genealogy. Further blending of the population came about with the
advent of increased industrialization and commercialization of the island. A fact that
illustrates this blending is the fact that the present population of about 100,000 is
comprised of over forty nationalities, besides original Arubans.
