Etnia Nativa (“Native Ethnicity”) is dedicated to recovering and celebrating Aruba’s cultural identity and heritage. Through this platform, it shares an authentic Indigenous perspective, educates the public, and inspires readers to adopt an “island caretaker” mindset.
In this episode, we explore a powerful and symbolic tradition from Aruban heritage: the burial of a newborn’s navel — more specifically, the umbilical cord. Though deeply rooted in Aruban culture, this ancestral practice resonates far beyond the island’s shores, connecting us to a global tapestry of customs centered on identity, belonging, and spiritual grounding.
Across many cultures, the umbilical cord is not merely a biological remnant but a sacred symbol — a tangible link between the child, the Earth, and the generations that came before. In numerous Native American tribes, for example, burying the umbilical cord is an act of profound significance. Customs vary, but common threads include reverence for the land, continuity of lineage, and spiritual protection. The cord may be buried near the home, beneath the hearth, or in a sacred place — anchoring the child to their family, community, and traditional territory. Some believe that losing the cord can leave the child spiritually unmoored.
In Navajo culture, this tradition takes on an especially meaningful form. The cord is often buried near the family home, a sacred site, or a place connected to the child’s future aspirations — such as a school. This act symbolically tethers the child to Dinétah, the Navajo homeland, and expresses a wish for a grounded, community-oriented life. Burying the cord near a school, for instance, reflects hopes for a future shaped by education and respect.
These beliefs echo across continents. In Bolivia, the Aymara place the cord in a clay pot beneath the hearth, offering it to Pachamama — Mother Earth — as a sacred gift. Among the Ye’kwana of the Amazon, the placenta is given to termites, returning it to the natural cycle for spiritual protection.
In Africa, the tradition spans many communities. Umbilical cords are often buried beneath sacred trees — anchoring the child to ancestral land and lineage. In Zambia and Turkey, the practice may serve different purposes: spiritual safeguarding, expressions of identity, or aspirations for the child’s future — including burial near places of worship or learning.
Among the Māori of New Zealand, the land is not just geography — it is identity. Burying the umbilical cord in the whenua (a word that means both land and placenta) affirms the child’s bond to their people and place. It is spiritual grounding in every sense of the word.
Closer to home in the Caribbean, similar customs thrive. In Jamaica, for example, families may bury the placenta alongside a silver coin, planting a breadfruit or coconut tree above it. This act symbolizes a lifelong connection to the land of one’s birth — captured in the saying: “where your navel string is buried.”
Despite cultural differences, these traditions speak a shared language. They remind us that our beginnings matter — that where we come from, how we are welcomed, and the roots we place early in life shape not only who we are, but where we belong.
For traditional Native Arubans, the burial of a newborn’s dried umbilical cord is an essential heritage practice — one that grants the child protection from Mother Earth and the spiritual realm.
If you’ve enjoyed learning about these ancestral stories and want to explore the true identity of the Aruban people, we invite you to visit Etnia Nativa — the only “living museum” of its kind in the Caribbean, reflecting the island’s rich mestizaje (cultural blending).
Founded in 1994, Etnia Nativa has been a cultural pioneer, co-founding key institutions such as Aruba’s National Park, the Archaeological Museum, several artisan foundations, and many other voluntary initiatives.
But Etnia Nativa isn’t just a place — it’s a gateway. Quietly tucked away near the high-rise hotels, this private residence also serves as a cultural sanctuary, unknown to most tourists. And that’s part of its magic. Intentionally exclusive, it welcomes only those with a genuine curiosity and a thirst for authentic discovery.
Connect with the spirit and soul of Aruba’s ancient heritage through a one-of-a-kind experience.
Whats App+297 592 2702 etnianativa03@gmail.com
