TAINO Culture

TAINO CULTURE

Bruno Rustico-2A Anthropology 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 

LOCATION OF THE TAINO 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

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    

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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 

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Highly organized hierarchical society-top leader is the Chief Paternal Society

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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.

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Divided into three social classes: Naborias (working class) Nitaínos or sub-chiefs Noblemen (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  

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Highly relied on dance to communicate with the supernatural/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 

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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 

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Photograph. Web. 4 June 2012. . Photograph. Web. 4 June 2012. . Taino History & Culture - Cultura Taina Y Historia." Taino History & Culture Cultura Taina Y Historia. Web. 04 June 2012. . Photograph. Web. 4 June 2012. . Caribbean Clime Taino. Web. 4 June 2012. .

WORKS CITED (CONT.) 

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Rainfall Caribbean." Web. 4 June 2012. . Photograph. Web. 4 June 2012. . Photograph. Web. 4 June 2012. . Caribbeanedu.com | Caribbean Odyssey." Caribbeanedu.com | Caribbean Odyssey. Web. 04 June 2012. . Taino Music Musica Taina De Los Tainos De Puerto Rico." Taino Music Musica Taina De Los Tainos De Puerto Rico. Web. 04 June 2012. .

WORKS CITED (CONT.)  

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Photograph. Web. 4 June 2012. . Photograph. Web. 4 June 2012. . Photograph. Web. 4 June 2012. .

WORKS CITED (CONT.) 

Web. 4 June 2012. .