Approximately 1000 years ago a different group of people established themselves on
the island. These people are named Dabajurans after the "type
site" Dabajuro on the mainland (West Venezuela, Falcon State). They named
themselves Caquetios, which name is used most of the time. They came from
Northwestern Venezuela. The period in which they inhabited the island (1000
to 1515 A.D.) we call the Ceramic Period.
The Caquetios were farmers and cultivated maize and manioc.
They lived in villages (100-150 people) situated in Santa Cruz, Sabaneta,
Tanki Flip, Tanki Lender and Parkietenbos.
All villages were constructed near fresh water gullies (rooi) and near soil suitable for
cultivation.
The
pottery they manufactured was mainly used for cooking, storage, serving food and
transportation. A large scale excavation at Tanki Flip uncovered the
remains of several oval houses where extended families (mother, father,
children, grandparents, uncles etc.) or multi families (more than one family) resided.
Also the floor plan of smaller, round houses for one or two nuclear families (father,
mother and children) were found, while also a rectangular ceremonial structure was
uncovered.
The Caquetios lived on the island until 1515
when most of them were taken by the Spanish to Santo Domingo/Haiti. It is not
known if it were the Caquetios or another group(s) which returned in 1526 with the
Spanish. Both the Spanish and this group of Indians left around 1636 when the island was
taken by the Dutch.
For short periods hereafter, Aruba was occupied by the English
(1804-1806; 1807-1816). From 1636 until the 19th century, the population of Aruba was
composed mainly of Indians. Europeans and Africans were also part of this very unique
composition. Unique because on most islands of the Caribbean no Indian population existed
anymore during this period.
Aruba was largely used as a ranch where Indians herded cattle
(horses and goats) and took care of crops.
