2841) Papiamento, Aruba: Post Aruba N.V. has issued a set of four stamps of the values of 90c, 130c, 320c and 420c which mark 20 yers of Papiamento as Aruba's official language: Date of Stamp set issue: 21.05.2023:
Papiamento is a Portuguese-based Creole language spoken in the Dutch Caribbean. It is the most widely spoken language on the Caribbean ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao), with official status in Aruba and Curaçao. Papiamento is also a recognised language in the Dutch public bodies of Sint-Eustatius and Saba.
Papiamento emerged from the Spanish and Portuguese Creole languages that developed in the West African coasts, as it has many similarities with Cape Verdean Creole and Guinea-Bissau Creole.
The language, spelled as "Papiamento" in Aruba and "Papiamentu" in Bonaire and Curaçao, is largely based on colonial-era Portuguese and Spanish (including Judaeo-Portuguese), and has been influenced considerably by Dutch and Venezuelan Spanish.
Due to lexical similarities between Spanish and Portuguese, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact origin of some words.
There are various theories about the origin and development of the Papiamento language, and precise history has not been established.
The Papiamento language originated from about 1650. The oldest Papiamento texts that have been preserved are written letters.
The name of the language itself originates from "papia", from Portuguese and Cape Verdean Creole "papear" ("to chat, say, speak, talk"), added by the noun-forming suffix - "mento".
Spain claimed dominion over the islands in the 15th century but made little use of them.
Portuguese merchants had been trading extensively in the West Indies and with the Iberian Union between Portugal and Spain during 1580–1640 period, their trade extended to the Spanish West Indies.
In 1634, the Dutch West India Company (WIC) took possession of the islands, deporting most of the small remaining Arawak and Spanish population to the continent (mostly to the Venezuelan West coast and the Venezuelan plains, as well as all the way east to the Venezuela Orinoco basin and Trinidad), and turned them into the hub of the Dutch slave trade between Africa and the Caribbean.
The first evidence of widespread use of Papiamento in Aruba and Curaçao is seen in official documents in the early 18th century.
In the 19th century, most materials in the islands were written in Papiamento including Roman Catholic school books and hymnals.
After 1815, Papiamento, the language of the majority, suddenly became a forbidden language and Dutch became the only language of instruction that was permitted in schools.
Since then, Papiamento became a second-class language. Public statements, official documents and trade could only be done in Dutch. Nevertheless, Papiamento survived.
In 1837, the "Catecismo Corticu pa uso di catolicanan di Curaçao" was printed which was the first printed book in Papiamento.
In 2009 the Catecismo Corticu was added to the UNESCO Memory of the World register.
The first Papiamento newspaper was published in 1871 and was called "Civilisadó" ("The Civiliser").
Papiamento has been an official language of Aruba since May 2003.
In the former Netherlands Antilles, Papiamento was made an official language on 07.03.2007.
After the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles, Papiamento's official status was confirmed in the newly formed Caribbean Netherlands.
Also, 150,000 Antillians (mostly from Curaçao) live in the Netherlands and speak their mother language, Papiamento, fluently. Some Papiamento is also spoken on Sint Maarten and the Paraguaná Peninsula of Venezuela.
Venezuelan Spanish and American English are constant influences today. Code-switching and lexical borrowing from Spanish, Dutch and English among native speakers is common. This is considered as a threat to the development of the language because of the loss of the authentic and Creole "feel" of Papiamento.
Many immigrants from Latin America and the Caribbean choose to learn Papiamento because it is more practical in daily life on the islands. For Spanish-speakers, it is easier to learn than Dutch, because Papiamento uses many Spanish and Portuguese words.
It took almost 200 years for Papiamento to gain the status of an official language in the Islands.
In May 2003, the Aruban government declared Papiamento as an official language. Curacao was the second country which declared Papamento as as official language in 2007.
A Stamp Set commemorating "Papiamento" - 20 Years as an Official Language in Aruba:
Post Aruba has released this set of four postage stamps commemorating 20 years of "Papiamento" being declared as the official language in Aruba.
It is presently the most widely spoken language on the Caribbean ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao).
The four Stamp set issued by Post Aruba N.V includes:
90 c – "Danki" (in English - "Thank you")
Background illustrations: palm tree, cacti and flowers.
130 c – "Bon bini" (in English: "Welcome")
Background illustrations: fofoti tree, cacti and a flamingo.
320 c – "Mi isla stima" (in English: "My beloved island"). Arubans are very proud of their little island and praised by all visitors.
Background illustrations: cacti and colours of the Aruban flag.
420c –"Dushi" (in English: "Sweetheart" or "Tasty")
Background illustrations: hibiscus flowers.
The First Day Cover (FDC) is titled - 'Papiamento 20 years as an official language" (at left).
The four-stamp set issued is affixed at top right cancelled with a special cancellation postmark/handstamp of Aruba Post dated - ""21.05.2023".
Technical details:
Issue Date: 21.05.2023
Issuer: Aruba Post N.V.
Designer: Kim Violenes
Face Values: 90c, 130c, 320c and 420c.
Links to Posts on Aruba on this blog:
Links to Posts on Curacao on this Blog:
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19) A new Generation $100 Polymer Banknote, Trinidad and Tobago with enhanced security features to "raise the bar" for counterfeiters & unscrupulous elements: Banknote circulation date: 09.12.2019:
20) Festival di Tumba (Carnival of Curacao), Curacao: "50th Edition of the Curacao Carnival/Festival" held from 27-31.01.2020: A set of six Commemorative Postage Stamps brought out by Cpost (Curacao Post) on 20.02.2020
21) New Polymer Banknotes, Trinidad and Tobago: The entire series will consist of $100, $50, $20, $10, $5 and $1 denominations: $100 has already been issued on 09.12.2019
23) "Caribbean Sea-Horse", Barbados: $10 (Ten Dollars) 1.0 Oz. Gold Bullion Coins & $1 (One Dollar) 1.0 Oz. Silver Bullion Coins minted by the Scottsdale Mint; Year of issue: 2020
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Links to some other interesting posts from South American countries & Mexico:
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Links to Posts on Curacao on this Blog:
Santosh Khanna has commented:
ReplyDelete"Thanks for sharing this informative and interesting post."
Thank you so much, Khanna sahab.
DeleteRajan Trikha has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very interesting post on very colourful stamps 👍"
Thank you, Trikha sahab. Aruba Post has depicted their flora & fauna, and culture, social etiquette etc. on these stamps.
Delete