The nature and demeanor of the people of Ayiti before Christopher Columbus can
best be summed up as follow: peaceful, happiness and friendly. The earliest known
inhabitants of Ayiti are believed to have moved to the island from neighboring
islands and continental South America. They are variously hreferred to as the
Tainos or Arawaks. Because of the similarity Rico, as well as the northern part of
south America, the Tainos of Ayiti are believed to have day Venezuela and Guyana.
best be summed up as follow: peaceful, happiness and friendly. The earliest known
inhabitants of Ayiti are believed to have moved to the island from neighboring
islands and continental South America. They are variously hreferred to as the
Tainos or Arawaks. Because of the similarity Rico, as well as the northern part of
south America, the Tainos of Ayiti are believed to have day Venezuela and Guyana.
Apart from being well settled in Ayiti, the Tainos were the predominant inhabitants
of Puerto Rico, Northern Cuba and the Greater Antilles in the Caribbean. Their
immediate neighbors were the Guanahatabeys of northern Cuba, the Boriquenos of
Puerto Rico and the Caribs of the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean. The Tainos lived
in peaceful coexistence with all their neighbors, with whom they intermarried for
they all had a lot in common. The Tainos had a number of names for their home
island. The three most popular ones were Quisqueya, Bohio and Ayiti. These names
originated from Taino language meaning mountainous land or high ground.
of Puerto Rico, Northern Cuba and the Greater Antilles in the Caribbean. Their
immediate neighbors were the Guanahatabeys of northern Cuba, the Boriquenos of
Puerto Rico and the Caribs of the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean. The Tainos lived
in peaceful coexistence with all their neighbors, with whom they intermarried for
they all had a lot in common. The Tainos had a number of names for their home
island. The three most popular ones were Quisqueya, Bohio and Ayiti. These names
originated from Taino language meaning mountainous land or high ground.
It has been established through archeological studies that the Tainos were culturally advanced. They lived in a well structured social It
has been established through archeological studies that the Tainos were culturally advanced. They lived in a well structured social
organization of a communal nature. They had and used all things in common. They were not individualistic but rather collaborative in
the use of the common wealth and natural resources available within their communities. Their mode of social organization revolved
around a hierarchy of elders with the cacique at the apex as king or chief. Immediately below the cacique were sub-caciques or
community elders. Both men and women could aspire to the position of cacique. In fact, even after the arrival of Columbus, this social
structure was maintained; and a woman cacique, Anacaona of Xaragua, was one of those Columbus waged war against during his
genocidal campaign during the conquest of Hispaniola.
genocidal campaign during the conquest of Hispaniola.
of its neighbor. The five kingdoms lived in amity with each other, and there are yet any reports of warfare among them. These five
The province of Marien (Bainoa), whose inhabitants had Guacanagaric as their cacique, was sited in the north east coast of Ayiti and the
interior plains. This was the area where Christopher Columbus landed in December 1492 and built the first Spanish settlement of La
Navidad.
The province of Ciguayos (Cayabo or Maguana), with Caonabo as its cacique, occupied the central plains of the Cibao.
The province of Magua (Huhabo) was located at the north east end of the island and had a cacique named Guarionex.
The province of Xaragua occupied the western plains of present day Haiti. This province witnessed the most horrendous genocide of its
populace by the Spanish conquistadores. Behechio was the cacique when Columbus arrived. He was later succeeded by his widow
Anacaona, after Columbus’ men killed him.
The province of Higuey (Caizcimu), occupied the peninsula of Rico, in the eastern end of present day Haiti. The cacique was named
Cotubanama or Cayacoa.
has been established through archeological studies that the Tainos were culturally advanced. They lived in a well structured social
organization of a communal nature. They had and used all things in common. They were not individualistic but rather collaborative in
the use of the common wealth and natural resources available within their communities. Their mode of social organization revolved
around a hierarchy of elders with the cacique at the apex as king or chief. Immediately below the cacique were sub-caciques or
community elders. Both men and women could aspire to the position of cacique. In fact, even after the arrival of Columbus, this social
structure was maintained; and a woman cacique, Anacaona of Xaragua, was one of those Columbus waged war against during his
genocidal campaign during the conquest of Hispaniola.
genocidal campaign during the conquest of Hispaniola.
of its neighbor. The five kingdoms lived in amity with each other, and there are yet any reports of warfare among them. These five
The province of Marien (Bainoa), whose inhabitants had Guacanagaric as their cacique, was sited in the north east coast of Ayiti and the
interior plains. This was the area where Christopher Columbus landed in December 1492 and built the first Spanish settlement of La
Navidad.
The province of Ciguayos (Cayabo or Maguana), with Caonabo as its cacique, occupied the central plains of the Cibao.
The province of Magua (Huhabo) was located at the north east end of the island and had a cacique named Guarionex.
The province of Xaragua occupied the western plains of present day Haiti. This province witnessed the most horrendous genocide of its
populace by the Spanish conquistadores. Behechio was the cacique when Columbus arrived. He was later succeeded by his widow
Anacaona, after Columbus’ men killed him.
The province of Higuey (Caizcimu), occupied the peninsula of Rico, in the eastern end of present day Haiti. The cacique was named
Cotubanama or Cayacoa.
| Social Organization of the Tainos |
As generally agreed by historians, the Tainos were a very friendly, happy and peaceful people. To their eternal regret, it was these same pleasant character traits
that made them easy targets for the rampaging hordes of Spanish conquistadores. Each Taino community was made up of about one to three thousand men, women
and children within a village or group of villages. The Taino community was also a hierarchical system. There were four hierarchies. At the lowest level were the
common people or Naboria. The next level was made up of sub-chiefs, called Nitaino. Following the Nitainos were the Bohiques, who doubled as priests and healers.
At the top of the hierarchy were the Caciques who were chieftains or kings.
that made them easy targets for the rampaging hordes of Spanish conquistadores. Each Taino community was made up of about one to three thousand men, women
and children within a village or group of villages. The Taino community was also a hierarchical system. There were four hierarchies. At the lowest level were the
common people or Naboria. The next level was made up of sub-chiefs, called Nitaino. Following the Nitainos were the Bohiques, who doubled as priests and healers.
At the top of the hierarchy were the Caciques who were chieftains or kings.
| Mode of Life of Tainos |
| Lifestyle of The Taino |
The Tainos were farmers, fishermen, and hunters. Their agricultural practices were well developed. To protect the soil from erosion, large earth mounds called
conuco, were made and packed with leaves. They also planted large variety of crops simultaneously, so that at any given time of the year or weather conditions,
there was always some food crop growing in the soil. Their agricultural practice was virtually work free. Crop maintenance was minimal. This allows the Tainos to
have plenty of free time. Free time was spent in recreational activities such as playing games and story telling. They also used their free time to plan elaborate
religious ceremonies for their many deities. Tainos were polytheists.
Before the arrival of Columbus and African slaves, who came much later, the Tainos grew a number of tropical crops like cassava, corn, squash, beans, peppers,
sweet potatoes, yams and peanuts. Cassava was their main food crop, from which they made cassava bread, tapioca, and other delicacies. Tainos’ mode of dressing
was hreflective of their hot tropical environment. They were scantily dressed. Children went barely clothed until they reached the age of marriage. Both adult men
and women wore short skirts and the unmarried ones wore headbands. Because of their aversion for hard work and strenuous efforts, Tainos lived in the lowland
plains of Ayiti, thus avoided the mountainous regions. This tendency to avoid the mountains, while making life generally easy for these peace loving people,
unfortunately exposed them to mass
conuco, were made and packed with leaves. They also planted large variety of crops simultaneously, so that at any given time of the year or weather conditions,
there was always some food crop growing in the soil. Their agricultural practice was virtually work free. Crop maintenance was minimal. This allows the Tainos to
have plenty of free time. Free time was spent in recreational activities such as playing games and story telling. They also used their free time to plan elaborate
religious ceremonies for their many deities. Tainos were polytheists.
Before the arrival of Columbus and African slaves, who came much later, the Tainos grew a number of tropical crops like cassava, corn, squash, beans, peppers,
sweet potatoes, yams and peanuts. Cassava was their main food crop, from which they made cassava bread, tapioca, and other delicacies. Tainos’ mode of dressing
was hreflective of their hot tropical environment. They were scantily dressed. Children went barely clothed until they reached the age of marriage. Both adult men
and women wore short skirts and the unmarried ones wore headbands. Because of their aversion for hard work and strenuous efforts, Tainos lived in the lowland
plains of Ayiti, thus avoided the mountainous regions. This tendency to avoid the mountains, while making life generally easy for these peace loving people,
unfortunately exposed them to mass
The Tainos lived throughout most of the Caribbean. The immediate neighbors of the Tainos were the Guanahatabeys
who lived at the far northern end of Cuba and the Island Caribs on the Lesser Antilles. The Guanahatabeys separated
the Tainos from the fully civilized people of the Middle America, (Irving Rouse 1992). The Tainos occupied most of the
Greater Antilles. They lived particularly on the island of Haiti and also in Puerto Rico. They called that island Haiti,
Quisqueya or Bohio because of its physical features. Haiti in Taino means high ground, mountainous land. Columbus
renamed the island Hispaniola.
The Tainos exchanged cultural, linguistic and biological traits with the Guanahatabeys and the Island-Caribs. Some
ethnohistorians call the Tainos, Arawacks because they are said to be the descendents of Arawacks from the North
Eastern part of South America. However, they preferred to be called Tainos, which means men of the good. Most agree
According to various estimates, when the Spaniards conquered the island of Haiti, as many as 100,000 to 1,000,000
Tainos were living on that land. That number would be reduced to zero due to genocide committed by the Spaniards.
Nowadays, except for archeological remains and some artwork, there is practically no clear trace of Taino descent in
Haiti.
who lived at the far northern end of Cuba and the Island Caribs on the Lesser Antilles. The Guanahatabeys separated
the Tainos from the fully civilized people of the Middle America, (Irving Rouse 1992). The Tainos occupied most of the
Greater Antilles. They lived particularly on the island of Haiti and also in Puerto Rico. They called that island Haiti,
Quisqueya or Bohio because of its physical features. Haiti in Taino means high ground, mountainous land. Columbus
renamed the island Hispaniola.
The Tainos exchanged cultural, linguistic and biological traits with the Guanahatabeys and the Island-Caribs. Some
ethnohistorians call the Tainos, Arawacks because they are said to be the descendents of Arawacks from the North
Eastern part of South America. However, they preferred to be called Tainos, which means men of the good. Most agree
According to various estimates, when the Spaniards conquered the island of Haiti, as many as 100,000 to 1,000,000
Tainos were living on that land. That number would be reduced to zero due to genocide committed by the Spaniards.
Nowadays, except for archeological remains and some artwork, there is practically no clear trace of Taino descent in
Haiti.
slaughter during the Spanish genocidal war against the Taino. Who were the first Haitians? Where did they come from? What kind of civilization existed at the time
Columbus anchored his boat on the north coast of Haiti, near Cap-Haïtien on December 5,1492. How much do we know and how much is left of that civilization are
some of our discussion points during this first session of a long look at Haitian History.
have been provided to the origins of the Tainos, their culture and religion.
have been provided to the origins of the Tainos, their culture and religion.
Some researchers base their evidence on the Tainos traits that were similar to those of the Indians of South America to conclude that the Tainos may have come from
the northern part of that region. Archeologists, through excavation of Tainos remains, conclude that the migration must have happened some time ago in Pre-History
Columbus anchored his boat on the north coast of Haiti, near Cap-Haïtien on December 5,1492. How much do we know and how much is left of that civilization are
some of our discussion points during this first session of a long look at Haitian History.
have been provided to the origins of the Tainos, their culture and religion.
have been provided to the origins of the Tainos, their culture and religion.
Some researchers base their evidence on the Tainos traits that were similar to those of the Indians of South America to conclude that the Tainos may have come from
the northern part of that region. Archeologists, through excavation of Tainos remains, conclude that the migration must have happened some time ago in Pre-History
| Society and Culture |
played the role of priest, healer and/or local legislator.
cacique played the role of priest, healer and/or local legislator.
cacique played the role of priest, healer and/or local legislator.
Note:
Tainos hated hard labor and ardous climbs. For those reasons, they, for the most part stayed away from the mountainous regions of the island. You will find that the
caciquats coincided with the coastal plains or interior valleys.
Tainos hated hard labor and ardous climbs. For those reasons, they, for the most part stayed away from the mountainous regions of the island. You will find that the
caciquats coincided with the coastal plains or interior valleys.
sub-caciques on the island. The sub-caciques did not get paid for their position, but were responsible for various services to the
or provinces.
or provinces.
The Marien with Guacanagaric as cacique was situated in the north and north East Coast interior stradling the northern regions of nowadays Haiti and Dominican
Republic.
The Magua with Guarionex as cacique, was in the farther North East.
The Xaragua with Bohechio as cacique, occupied the western plains of nowadays Haiti.
The Higuey with Cotubanama or Cayacoa, Occupied the Easternmost peninsula Rico
Republic.
The Magua with Guarionex as cacique, was in the farther North East.
The Xaragua with Bohechio as cacique, occupied the western plains of nowadays Haiti.
The Higuey with Cotubanama or Cayacoa, Occupied the Easternmost peninsula Rico
The villages contained an average of one to two thousand people living in irregular houses arranged around a plaza. The
typical village of the Taino contained a flat court in the center of the villagewith houses surrounding it. The regular houses
had a circular shaped figure with poles providing its primary support.They had dirt floor and roofed dwelling and were covered
with woven straw and palm leaves. These houses were called ajoupas. They received guests on wooden stools.
Tainos had strong familial ties and related families lived together. Tainos society was a polygamous one with the cacique
allowed to have more wives than the other men of the villages. Being married to a cacique was considered a great honor. The
rectangular and was made with the same materials as the other houses. Their flat court situated in the center of the village
was used for various festivals both religious and secular. During those festivals, they played a ball game that closely
resembles modern-day soccer.
typical village of the Taino contained a flat court in the center of the villagewith houses surrounding it. The regular houses
had a circular shaped figure with poles providing its primary support.They had dirt floor and roofed dwelling and were covered
with woven straw and palm leaves. These houses were called ajoupas. They received guests on wooden stools.
Tainos had strong familial ties and related families lived together. Tainos society was a polygamous one with the cacique
allowed to have more wives than the other men of the villages. Being married to a cacique was considered a great honor. The
rectangular and was made with the same materials as the other houses. Their flat court situated in the center of the village
was used for various festivals both religious and secular. During those festivals, they played a ball game that closely
resembles modern-day soccer.
time of the conquest, the Tainos were fighting against the Caribs who had invaded the eastern part of Haiti.
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