Anakaona

DID YOU KNOW - Kasike (chief) Anakaona, whose name translates to “Golden Flower”, was a well-respected leader on the island known as Bohio (Haiti/Dominican Republic). According to oral tradition, Anakaona was born near present-day Léogane, Haiti. She was sister to kasike Bohechío and considered “Queen” of the Haragua (Jaragua) territory by the Spaniards. Anakaona was the wife of Kaonabo, one of the five regional leaders of the island encountered in 1492 by Christopher Columbus. She was renowned and beloved by the local indigenous peoples not only as a distinguished diplomatic leader but also as a composer of the songs and dances comprising the socio-ceremonial theatrical narratives called areito. In an example of Spanish treachery against the Taíno people, Governor Nicolas de Ovando requested that Anakaona invite the regional chiefs to a feast he would give in her honor. Once the chief’s entered the large indigenous ceremonial hall, the Spaniards blocked the doors and set fire to the building burning most all of them alive. Anakaona who survived the blaze was captured and offered clemency if she "married" a Spaniard. She refused this offer and then hung in a public execution by Ovando in September of 1503. Anakaona was survived by a daughter named Higüemota. - UCTP Taino News © 2011

*Representation of Anakaona by J. Villalona