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>.