By: Jowen H. Ortiz Cintrón
When we talk about glorious indigenous cultures, we are limited to remember the Cherokees, the Mayas, the Aztecs, and Incas. For some reason, we never think of the tribe that spectacularly controlled the Caribbean Sea in the most diplomatic way, the Taínos.
The Taínos were a complete culture that learned to live with what the Caribbean had to offer and make the best of it. They lived in the islands of Cuba, La Española, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and other islands of the northern Caribbean. The first records described them as medium to tall healthy people with tan, bronzed skin. They had no body or facial hair, pronounced cheekbones, full pout, and a good dental hygiene. Their culture was of respect and hospitality, and above all, they were noble, wise, and brave.
Today, let’s appreciate our great heritage, hoping this will open the dialog to many more facts. Enjoy this highlights of our indigenous culture.
Feminist society
The Taíno society was based on respect for the female figure. They held women in great regard, following a matrilineal system. Descent was traced through the mother, and women lived together along with their children, keeping apart from the men. This system gave women control over their lives, their co-villagers, and their bodies. It is believed that, although there were some gender roles, they were not exclusive.
In the political aspect, women were respected and taken to account in the decision-making processes. The cacique of a village took into consideration the input from his wives concerning political issues. Women were able to get the higher position of Cacique, like Yuisa, the cacique of the Loíza area. Lastly, the successor for the role of cacique would be the first born child of the former’s older sister, because it was closer to the lineage of the cacique’s mother.
The Spaniards were surprised when they came in contact with the Taínos, and wrote about how women were in control of the men in the villages. Sadly, the Taíno women became trade objects for the Spaniards at the moment of the colonization, losing their autonomy.
Dogs, taínos best friends
Just like the Mayas had the chihuahuas, the Taínos had the Josibi. The Josibi was a dog from Puerto Rico. This dog was bark-less and, like most dogs now a day, was the best friend of the Taínos. It was the predilect pet for the taínos, besides the domesticated Puerto Rican Parrot. The dog, also known as Ateo (name given by the Spaniards), ceased to exist soon after the arrival of the Spaniards.
Baseball players
The Taínos were really good at physical activities. The Spaniards, at their arrival, wrote about how healthy and in good shape the Taínos were. One of their social activities was a game called batú. It was a ball-based game where two groups of up to 30 players — men or women — had to keep the ball up in the air using any part of their bodies, except their hands. The game could last hours until one team let the ball fall to the floor. This game was played at a batey, which was a field full of tall rocks with carvings of cemís marking the perimeter. The ball was made of rubber, leaves, and resin, making it possible for the ball to bounce.
Fun fact: The Spaniards were amazed by the ball and the sport, because they had never seen something like it before.
Scientists of their time
This culture from Borikén (the name given to the island by the natives) had knowledge on things like astronomy, meteorology, agriculture, and political science. They used systems to secure food for their people through the whole year, using agriculture techniques, such as the conucos — three feet high mounds of soil arranged in rows that helped with fertility and improved soil drainage — , the rain cycle, and the moon. They learned to predict the arrival of hurricanes and keep their crops safe.
Likewise, their knowledge on architecture and engineering allowed them to build houses — bohíos– in a way that helped keep their crops safe at the top of the bohíos and serve as a home to groups of people.
Lovers of the art
The Taínos had a culture driven by art. A lot of what is left to us is part of their art. They were great with their hands, creating stone engravings in caves, necklaces with materials of Puerto Rico’s nature, and vessels of clay and palm tree leaves.
Furthermore, for the Taínos, music was a really important part of their lives. A song was the biggest gift one could give. In the arreytos, a celebratory and commemorative act of transmitting history and culture, every person of the village participated. Everyone singed and danced during these social activities. These events occurred during important occasions. Weddings, births, funerals, harvest seasons, war victories, or events from the past, were celebrated in a huge way.
The story of our ancestors is rich and full of curious facts. We have indigenous roots that we should learn more about. Their stories most be told right and people should be willing to listen.
If you feel like learning more from this culture, visit our different centers and museums like:
- The Tibes Indian Ceremonial Park (https://www.facebook.com/Centro-Ceremonial-Ind%C3%ADgena-de-Tibes-CBA-1625049711056771/,
- the Caguana Ceremonial Indigenous Heritage Center (http://www.conoceapuertorico.com/parque-ceremonial-caguana/)
- or any other spot from the Ruta Taína (http://www.discoverpuertorico.com/en/rutastainas/).
