Aruba

Located 20 miles off the Venezuelan coast, Aruba is the most southwestern island of the Caribbean archipelago. Aruba has an area of 70 square miles and an official population of more than 95,000. More than 90% of Arubans are Christians. According to the 2006 CIA Factbook, Roman Catholics constitute more than 81% of the population, Protestants are 9%, and Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and Jews make up 6%; those professing “none or other” make up 4%. There are [Page 62]743 Jehovah's Witnesses and 460 Seventh-Day Adventists on the island. Prominent religious buildings include the following: Beth Israel Synagogue, Bible-Way Baptist Church, Church of Christ, a Mormon church, Evangelical Church of San Nicolas, Community Church, Iglesia Evangelica Pentecostal, Holy Cross Anglican Church, a Methodist church, New Apostolic Church, Pentecostal Apostolic Assembly, Faith Revival Center, and a Baha'i center.

As noted, Roman Catholicism has long been the dominant religion on the island. Aruba has eight parishes. The first Catholic chapel—Alta Vista—was built in 1750 and affords sweeping views of the surrounding sea from its perch on the northeastern tip of the island. Closer to downtown Oranjestad, the Santa Ana Church was built in 1776 and is noted for its hand-carved neo-Gothic altar.

Protestantism—the religion of 19th-century Dutch elites—currently represents the religious affiliation of less than 3% of the population. The first Protestant Church of Aruba was founded in 1822 by members of the Lutheran and Dutch Reformed churches. The Reformed tradition continues as the United Protestant Church of Aruba. Presently, there are three Reformed churches on the island.

Twentieth-century migration led to the appearance of other groups such as Jehovah's Witnesses, Methodists, and evangelical sects from Suriname and the United States as well as Anglicans, Adventists, Buddhists, Muslims, and Jews. The Muslim community migrated from Curaçao. The Jewish community also migrated to Aruba from Curaçao. Aruban Jews dedicated a new synagogue in 1962. As previously noted, 2% to 3% of Arubans claim to be atheists and/or state that they have no religion at all. The number of individuals participating in African-derived religions (e.g., Santería and Winti) is increasing, as is participation in evangelical and Pentecostal groups. Religious pluralism, while present, is not as common in Aruba as on other Caribbean islands. Some Arubans compartmentalize religion. Saturdays are devoted to calypso, while Sundays are given over to religious observances.

A number of seemingly secular rituals have religious origins; for example, Dera Gai, or Saint John's Day (June 24), is celebrated with bonfires and a ceremony known as “burying the rooster.” A rooster is buried with its head hidden under a calabash above the ground. Blindfolded dancers try to hit the calabash with a stick while a band plays the traditional songs associated with Saint John. In recent years, Dera Gai is observed with calabashes and sticks—but without the rooster. In the 20th century, the Carnivale was introduced to the island by Caribbean migrants and has become a preeminent festival. Of special importance are celebrations surrounding an individual's 15th, 50th, and 75th birthdays.

Aruban opinions on death and the afterlife vary but are mostly influenced by Roman Catholicism. Traditional wakes—called Ocho Dias (“8 days”)—reflect the duration of the customary mourning period. On the final night, the altar is disassembled, and chairs are turned upside down. House windows are opened to enable the spirit of the deceased to leave.

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