Aruba - Adventure Guide to Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao - page 60

right to deal directly with Holland without going through the central gov-
ernment of the Netherlands Antilles.
For more than 17 years, Aruba has had its own constitution based on west-
ern democratic principles, with a governor and a seven-member council of
ministers headed by a prime minister. The island manages such things as
its own Immigration, Customs, communications, and aviation, while
depending on Holland for its defense and foreign affairs.
Don't worry if you can't, or don't want to, understand the difference
between Aruba's political status and that of the other Dutch islands. As a
visitor, it doesn't affect you, and there's an ongoing movement to grant
Aruba and some of the Netherlands Antilles complete independence, so
the situation could change at any time.
Just know that Aruba has its own money, laws, and elected officials, but
everything is headed by an appointed governor and overseen by the hered-
itary Dutch monarch.

Unique Celebrations

I n addition to the traditional holidays celebrated on all

three islands, Aruba observes some of its own:
January 25 is set aside to honor G.F. (Betico) Croes ,a
political leader who helped the island attain status aparte in
1986.
March 18 , National Anthem and Flag Day , features folkloric presenta-
tions at Plaza Betico Croes in Oranjestad and sporting events throughout
the island.
May 1 , Labor Day , is celebrated with sports competitions, dances, and
picnics.
June 24 , Saint John's Day or Deramento Gai (the burying of the
rooster), features lively music, bright yellow and red costumes, and tradi-
tional dances. It is celebrated on the Feast of St. John the Baptist to give
thanks for a successful harvest. At one time, the festival included a game
requiring blindfolded men to smash about with heavy sticks until one of
them clobbered a rooster that had been buried up to its neck in dirt and
covered with a hollow gourd so that it could breathe. Today, the live rooster
has been replaced with a toy replica or a ripe calabash gourd.