TAINO CULTURE

Bruno Rustico-2AAnthropology Culture Project

HISTORY OF THE TAINO

Nation of indigenous people who flourished in the Greater Antilles-Caribbean Sea

Islands include Cuba, Hait, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico

Taino people dwindled quickly with the arrival of the Spaniards mainly because the Spanish brought diseases which were foreign to the Taino’s immune system

HISTORY OF THE TAINO (CONT.)

Many were enslaved to pave roads, build housing, farm foods and construct forts

They primarily spoke Arawakan Originally traveled from the Amazon Basin in

the North Eastern part of South America during the 6th century

Gentle culture; based on happiness, friendliness, and a highly organized hierarchical and paternal society

The word “Taino” means Good and Noble

Originally from the North Eastern Part of South Africa near the Amazon Basin

At the end of the 6th century, they moved to the Caribbean

Occupying Cuba, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Jamaica

Although pure Tainos do not exist today, descendents do and are located mostly on the eastern board of the U.S.

LOCATION OF THE TAINO

LOCATION OF THE TAINO

CLIMATE

Average high temperature of the Caribbean is 82oF and low is 74oF.

Average annual rainfall is 39.3 inches Mountains of Islands will have

increased rainfall (sometimes 200 inches)

Tropical Weather

RESOURCES

Developed agricultural system which was environmentally friendly and virtually maintenance free

Farmed crop on conuco, a large mound created for farming

They packed the conuco with leaves which improved drainage and protected it from soil erosion

Primary crops cultivated by the Taino were cassava, yucca, corn, squash, beans, peppers, sweet potatoes, peanuts, and tobacco

Used wood from surrounding forests to construct housing, in addition to mud, palm leaves, and woven straw

Water from streams and fresh water ponds on islands

RESOURCES (HOUSE AND CONUCO)

ECONOMICS

Agricultural Lifestyle Relied heavily on farming and

agriculture Minor degree of trade; usually all crops

and goods were open for anyone to take

STATUS

When the Spaniards came to the islands, they brought disease which were detrimental to the Taino as their immune system was unable to handle the diseases

Taino were made “slaves” for Spaniards Both combined ultimately caused extinction. No pure Taino exist today, however mixed

descendents do exist today and are mainly located on the east coast of the U.S.

MIGRATION OF CULTURE

The Taino are a branch off the Arawak culture

Taino mainly stood by themselves with no major migration of culture

GOVERNMENT

Highly organized hierarchical society-top leader is the Chief Paternal Society Importance in the tribe being determined by the size of the

clan, rather than its war-making strength. There was no aristocracy of lineage, nor were their titles other than those given to individuals to distinguish their services to the clan.

Divided into three social classes:Naborias (working class)Nitaínos or sub-chiefsNoblemen (priests/medicine men)

RELATIONSHIPS OF THE TAINO

Close internal relationship-always friendly towards neighbors and fellow tribe members

Little to no relations outside the tribe/community…only relations would be with Spaniards

CULTURE

Developed in the late 1400s-early 1500s, with the sole founder, Juan Ponce de León (he took possession of the land)

Twenty villages were established (20,000-50,000) Dwindled down to 4, 000 due to disease, war,

and maltreatment Cacique Agüeybana was the original Chief Rank was established along democratic lines People of the island would gradually join,

increasing the size of the tribe

CONTRIBUTIONS

Had little to no contact with the outside world

Created agriculture and travel/transportations needs (canoes, rafts etc.)

When Spaniards invaded, became slave workers for them

RELIGION/BELIEF SYSTEM

Ceremonial ball parks whose boundaries were marked by upright stone dolmens

Dances were created for spirits Strongly believed in cosmology as main source

of religion-based beliefs off of stars and alignment Yocahu was the supreme Creator Jurakán, power of hurricanes Zemi and Maboya, sex icons/marriage/love Being in “good graces” of the above officials meant

they were protected against disease, war, and hurricanes.

MUSIC

Highly relied on dance to communicate with the super-natural/spirits

Taíno used music to recall and to recount their history, for celebrations and special events, and to communicate with their spiritual guides, their zemís to cure illnesses, for protection against them and endeavor storms from Mother Nature.

Tainos also used their music to have rain when they needed good crops, to hunt, and to fish

No specific details on type of music; suggested that one leader led the group and others sang in the background

MUSIC (CONT.)

Dance Cave Drawings by Taino of music

LITERATURE

Cave drawings No books or bindings of literature Only used pictures; no words

ART

Cave drawings (animals/music/working) Sculptures of super-natural Engraving of stones

CLOTHING

Men generally went naked or wore a breech cloth, called nagua

Single women walked around naked Married women wore an apron over their

genitals Usually made out of cotton and palm fibers Both sexes painted themselves on special

occasions; they wore earrings, nose rings, and necklaces

CLOTHING (CONT.)

CUSTOMS

Polygamy was practiced Often married within the same clan or

family Dead were buried with a proper

ceremonial (dance) For holidays and celebrations, they

danced and socialized with everybody Not many records of customs

CUISINE

Staples included vegetables, fruit, meat, and fish No large animals on islands Earthworms, lizards, turtles, birds, and other

mammals were eaten. Crops farmed on conucos (farming mound)

EDUCATION

No formal system of educated; offspring learned how to farm from elders

Language and carvings/religion was passed down to offspring

TECHNOLOGY

Taino used cotton and palm for fishing nets and ropes

Constructed canoes( can usually hold 15-20 people) (larger one could carry up to 200 people)

Agriculture/Irrigation (minor)

WORKS CITED

Photograph. Web. 4 June 2012. <http://talking-feather.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Taino-Cutlture-1.jpg>.

Photograph. Web. 4 June 2012. <http://kreyolicious.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/tainos.jpg>.

Taino History & Culture - Cultura Taina Y Historia." Taino History & Culture - Cultura Taina Y Historia. Web. 04 June 2012. <http://www.tainoage.com/tainoh.html>.

Photograph. Web. 4 June 2012. <http://www.powhatanmuseum.com/sitebuilder/images/Caribbean_Map-757x554.jpg>.

Caribbean Clime Taino. Web. 4 June 2012. <http://www.geography-site.co.uk/pages/countries/climate/caribbean_climate.html>.

WORKS CITED (CONT.)

Rainfall Caribbean." Web. 4 June 2012. <http://www.currentresults.com/Weather/Caribbean/average-annual-temperature-rainfall.php>.

Photograph. Web. 4 June 2012. <http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2254/2198381912_e82ed16e38.jpg>.

Photograph. Web. 4 June 2012. <http://pr.kalipedia.com/kalipediamedia/historia/media/200808/01/hispuertorico/20080801klphishpr_12_Ies_SCO.jpg>.

Caribbeanedu.com | Caribbean Odyssey." Caribbeanedu.com | Caribbean Odyssey. Web. 04 June 2012. <http://www.caribbeanedu.com/odyssey/timeliner/arawaks.asp>.

Taino Music Musica Taina De Los Tainos De Puerto Rico." Taino Music Musica Taina De Los Tainos De Puerto Rico. Web. 04 June 2012. <http://www.tainoage.com/taino_music.html>.

WORKS CITED (CONT.)

Photograph. Web. 4 June 2012. <http://conciliotainopr.org/pics/ConcilioTaino.DSC00422.JPG>.

Photograph. Web. 4 June 2012. <http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large/taino-musicians-dance--prehistoric-caribbean-taino-indians-cave-painting-ramon-a-chalas-soto.jpg>.

Photograph. Web. 4 June 2012. <http://www.google.com/imgres?num=10&um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1366&bih=664&tbm=isch&tbnid=5sGlmCQHMR5XQM:&imgrefurl=http://www.centrelink.org/Dec2002.html&docid=gwbxpyzeF7NIzM&imgurl=http://www.centrelink.org/fig15suspicious.jpg&w=284&h=261&ei=wEjNT9OoMs6N6QHP7fTcAg&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=215&sig=106437133603681451547&page=1&tbnh=147&tbnw=174&start=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:0,i:78&tx=32&ty=88>.

WORKS CITED (CONT.)

Web. 4 June 2012. <http://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotos-g147288-d1724307-Paraiso_Cano_Hondo-Dominican_Republic.html>.