Taino Flag

Did You Know: The flag of the United Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP) represents Taíno people “reaching out in solidarity” across the Caribbean Sea in all the sacred directions wherever their relatives can be found.  The original flag symbol was created in 1997 for the UCTP by artist Marie Crooke and further elaborated by artist Joe Leon. The UCTP flag is a part of the permanent collections of and displayed at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.; the Mashantucket Pequot Museum in Connecticut; the Institute of American Indian Arts in New Mexico; the Virgin Islands National Parks Service; and the Sami Parliament in Norway.  – UCTP Taino News (c) 2013

Taíno Political Organization

Did You Know: Taíno society was organized in two sectors - nitaíno (community leaders) and naboria (general community members).  Community life was administrated by chiefs and sub-chiefs called kasike (cacique), who in turn were supported and often advised by other community and spiritual leaders called behike and buhiti among other names. The traditional territories (called cacicazgos by the Spaniards) controlled by kasike were actually confederations of iukaieke (yucayeque) communities with populations that ranged from several hundred to thousands of people. As Taíno society developed over time, powerful kasike (caciques) united these communities into political states that were ultimately guided by a grand or paramount chief. In 1492, Kiskeia (Hispaniola) was organized under five confederations. Boriken (Puerto Rico) was organized under 20, with the Guainia (Guaynia) territory being the largest and most politically powerful. -  UCTP Taíno News © 2013

Taíno vegetable root tuber: iautía (yautía)

Did You Know: Among the various indigenous vegetable root tubers cultivated traditionally by Taíno people, iautía (yautía) was, and remains a favorite. Similar to the Taíno staple of iuka (yuca), the iautía tuber has an elongated shape and the skin is bumpy, patchy, brown, and shaggy and it needs to be cooked before it is eaten as it contains some toxins. It has a nutty, earthy flavor with starchy consistency when prepared and its flesh can be white, yellow, pink or purplish.  In much of the Greater Antilles the tuber is still identified by its Taíno name – iautía - however; it is also sometimes called malanga, tannia, or cocoyam. In the Lesser Antilles iautía is also called dasheen and is often confused with the similar plant taro. The young, unfurled leaves of some varieties are sometimes boiled in soups or stews such as in Caribbean callaloo. The iautía’s botanical genus is Xanthosoma, it is high in carbohydrates, has some proteins, it is a good source of dietary fibers, high in Vitamins C and B, high in potassium, its starches are easily digestible, it has no cholesterol, and is free from gluten. – UCTP Taino News © 2013

Tabako (Tobacco) is Taino

Did You Know: Tabako (tabaco/tobacco) is a Taíno word, however, traditionally it was not used in the way it is used today to describe the plant (Nicotiana tabacum / N. rustica). According to Spanish historian Bartolome De Las Casas, the word tabako was originally used to describe dried leaves rolled into the tube-shaped cigar for smoking the world is familiar with today. Another historian, Gonzalo Fernandez de Oviedo y Valdes also notes that tabako was the word used for the Y-shaped pipe used to inhale ceremonial snuff powder. While the meaning of the word tabako has changed to describe the leaves and plant (Nicotiana tabacum / N. rustica), traditionally the leaves of the plant where called kohiba (cojiba). The ground leaf powder used for ceremonial snuff was called kohoba (cojoba). Additional early uses of tabako among Indigenous Peoples of the region included breathing the odor of fresh green leaves of the plant relieved persistent headaches. For colds and catarrh (mucous membranes inflammation), green or powdered tabako leaves were rubbed around inside the mouth. Today, some Taíno community members still consider tabako a sacred plant and offer tabako seeds or dried, crushed leaves as an offering before picking other medicinal plants.  - UCTP Taíno News © 2012

Illustration: The first published illustration of Nicotiana tabacum by Pena and De L'Obel, 1570-1571 (shrpium adversana nova: London). The small illustration on the right of the picture shows how the "Indians and sailors" smoked Nicotiana leaves in a funnel. 

Kasike Agueybana Day

Did You Know – November 19^th is designated as Kasike Agueybana Day by proclamation of the honorable Victor Vassallo Anadon, the congressional representative for Ponce and Jayuya, Boriken (Puerto Rico). The day was first proclaimed on November 19, 2009, in recognition of a monument erected in honor of the Taíno kasike (chief) Agueibana in Ponce. The proclamation of Kasike Agueybana Day was the result of a successful lobbying effort by the United Confederation of Taíno People. – UCTP Taíno New © 2012 

Duho (dujo)

Did You Know - The duho (dujo) is a Taino ceremonial stool or bench that can be made from stone or wood. Traditionally, a duho was usually reserved for community leaders or visiting dignitaries. The duho could be adorned with gold and conch-shell inlay as well as carved with intricate, geometric spiritual motifs. Similar stools are made by the Lokono Arawak, relatives of the Taino, however, they call their benches hala. - UCTP Taino News (c) 2012