The seafaring people known as Taino were among the Arawak peoples of South America. The language is a member of the Arawakan language family of the northern region of South America. Generally speaking, Taino culture refers to that of the indigenous people of Greater Antilles, Bahamas and northern Lesser Antilles.
When Columbus arrived in 1492, there were five known Taino chiefdoms and territories in which tribute was given. These existed in the area formerly known as Hispaniola. Today it is recognized as Haiti and Dominican Republic.
This group was known to be an enemy of the Carib tribes, in the past. Carib tribes also had their origins in South America and were primarily found in Lesser Antilles. There has been much discussion and study on the relationship held between the tribes. For much of the 15th century, Taino people had been forced to the Caribbean's northeastern region because of Carib tribes raiding their area. They would hold women in captivity.
Spaniards who arrived in Puerto Rico, after first going to Bahamas, Hispaniola and Cuba in the 1490s, did not bring along women in their first excursions. Instead, they took Taino women as their common-law wives, which resulted in mestizo children. Sexual violence against these women was common in Haiti. There are some who suggest there was substantial amount of cultural and racial mixing in Cuba too.
The culture became extinct when the Spanish colonists began to settle. This was primarily the result of infectious disease that had spread and the absence of immunity. The first outbreak of smallpox recorded in Hispaniola took place in December 1518 or January 1519. This epidemic in 1518 killed nearly 100 percent of natives who were still alive at the time. Enslavement and warfare by colonists also led to many deaths. In 1548, native population had fallen under 500.
There were two distinct classes: nobles or nitainos, and commoners or naborias. The chiefs governed the classes and were giving the title caciques. These individuals could be male or female. They were also advised by priests or healers known as bohiques, which were believed to have special abilities to speak with gods and heal. They were often consulted and offered permission for the society to engage in important tasks.
This culture had a matrillneal system when it came to kinship, inheritance and descent. When the male heir was not around, the succession or inheritance went to the oldest child, be it daughter or son, of the deceased father's sister. In this society, newly married couples lived in the same household as the maternal uncle, who was considered more important in the life of his niece than her biological father. Some in this society practiced polygamy. Men and some women may have had two to three spouses, and some caciques had as many as 30 spouses.
The women were known for being skilled when it came to agriculture. This group of people depended upon it. Men were often responsible for hunting and fishing. They made fish ropes and nets with palm and cotton materials. Bows and arrows were employed for hunting, as well as arrowheads with poison.
When Columbus arrived in 1492, there were five known Taino chiefdoms and territories in which tribute was given. These existed in the area formerly known as Hispaniola. Today it is recognized as Haiti and Dominican Republic.
This group was known to be an enemy of the Carib tribes, in the past. Carib tribes also had their origins in South America and were primarily found in Lesser Antilles. There has been much discussion and study on the relationship held between the tribes. For much of the 15th century, Taino people had been forced to the Caribbean's northeastern region because of Carib tribes raiding their area. They would hold women in captivity.
Spaniards who arrived in Puerto Rico, after first going to Bahamas, Hispaniola and Cuba in the 1490s, did not bring along women in their first excursions. Instead, they took Taino women as their common-law wives, which resulted in mestizo children. Sexual violence against these women was common in Haiti. There are some who suggest there was substantial amount of cultural and racial mixing in Cuba too.
The culture became extinct when the Spanish colonists began to settle. This was primarily the result of infectious disease that had spread and the absence of immunity. The first outbreak of smallpox recorded in Hispaniola took place in December 1518 or January 1519. This epidemic in 1518 killed nearly 100 percent of natives who were still alive at the time. Enslavement and warfare by colonists also led to many deaths. In 1548, native population had fallen under 500.
There were two distinct classes: nobles or nitainos, and commoners or naborias. The chiefs governed the classes and were giving the title caciques. These individuals could be male or female. They were also advised by priests or healers known as bohiques, which were believed to have special abilities to speak with gods and heal. They were often consulted and offered permission for the society to engage in important tasks.
This culture had a matrillneal system when it came to kinship, inheritance and descent. When the male heir was not around, the succession or inheritance went to the oldest child, be it daughter or son, of the deceased father's sister. In this society, newly married couples lived in the same household as the maternal uncle, who was considered more important in the life of his niece than her biological father. Some in this society practiced polygamy. Men and some women may have had two to three spouses, and some caciques had as many as 30 spouses.
The women were known for being skilled when it came to agriculture. This group of people depended upon it. Men were often responsible for hunting and fishing. They made fish ropes and nets with palm and cotton materials. Bows and arrows were employed for hunting, as well as arrowheads with poison.
Written by Joni
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hei, touch me so i can get up.