Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine APRIL 2019 | Page 70

areas were added. When making the
miniature, however, the original parts
that were removed will be recreated to
provide a true picture of the traditional
house that was. Buyers of the miniatures
are provided with a written history of the
house.
Naömi Landgraf’s
Cunucu Houses
Naömi Landgraf was born in Aruba
but grew up in the Netherlands. Seven
years ago, she returned to Aruba to
live with her husband, André. For the
past six years, she has been creating
the most beautiful miniature Cunucu
houses.
are all based on original Aruban
Cunucu houses, and each of her
farm house is different. Initially, she
designed these houses based only
on pictures, but her husband recently
decided to take measurements of
actual Cunucu houses and drew them
on a smaller scale. The owners provide
Cunucu houses are traditional farm
as much detail of the house as possible
houses where small farm animals
such as its original colour, age, who
would be housed. Vegetables and fruits was the original builder, etc. Naomi
will also be kept in it.
then “builds” a replica based on her
husband’s drawings. In order to ensure
She recalls visiting Aruba years ago
that the houses are not heavy, they are
and realising that there were almost
built hollow. The entire process to build
no traditional souvenirs, so when she
one house may cover a one or two and
returned to live on the island, an idea
half week period. The houses range in
was born. One of her all-time hobbies
size from 3 to 7 inches.
was creating miniature scenes and she
has always loved the old traditional
Many Arubans submit requests for a
houses of Aruba. Naomi then decided miniature of their family house to be
to not complain about the traditional
made. And, many times in passing,
souvenirs she could not find on the
when Naomi and her husband sees
island , but instead, make them herself! an interesting house, they would just
Thus, miniature Cunucu Houses were
knock on the door and ask if they
born.
are allowed to make a miniature of
Naomi’s miniature houses are made
from clay (air-dried) and wood. They
it. They usually seek out houses that
are still in its original form even if new
All Naomi’s products have been certified
by the national seal of craftsmanship
established by the Government of Aruba,
through the Department of Culture. (100%
handmade and local).
You will find her Cunucu Houses at:
Cosecha Aruban Craft & Heritage,
down town Oranjestad.
Naomi also creates magnets, Christmas
ornaments and keyholders, sold at:
The Donkey Sanctuary Aruba.