Mabodamaka

Did You Know - Kasike Mabodomaka was one of the Taíno leaders during the 16th century Indian Wars in Boriken (Puerto Rico). Mabodomaka’s Iukaieke (territory) extended through the present day pueblos of Camuy, Quebradillas, and Isabela. Before the European invasion this area was known as guahataka (Taíno for "The Water Ladle"). Local oral history states that when his warriors could no longer hold back the European invaders he led his people up the Guajataca River and disappeared into the Island's central mountain range. Route # 113 (Quebradillas - Isabela) has been renamed "Avenida Cacíque Mabodomaca" in honor of this great Kasike (Chieftain). - UCTP Taino News © 2007

Chico Spring: Taino Waterhole*

Did You Know - Chicho spring in Bayahibe, Dominican Republic is one of four individual caverns that makes up the "Padre Nuestro" complex, which is a series of water-containing sinkholes in limestone of the Pleistocene origin. The entrance of Chicho spring is a steep slop that descends 25m to a freshwater pool in an underground chamber. The chamber is 30m wide and 20m high and has some sunlight in the mouth of the cave during the day. The underwater pool itself is 8m wide by 20m long and has depths of 8m. The spring has no measurable flow and little runoff resulting in little sedimentation. It has crystal clear water that stays a constant 25 C year round. Currently the complex is used by a local resort for its water source, but this site was also used long ago by the local Taino people for gathering fresh water. Archaeologist used scuba equipment to help them with excavations in Chicho spring. They collected artifacts on several reconnaissance dives, producing an assemblage of 30 ceramic pieces. All of the ceramics are bottle forms and the assemblage included one intact vessel. Taino water bottles in the southeastern region of Dominican Republic are typically heart-shaped with zoomorphic or anthropomorphic heads attached on both sides. This bottle form is locally known as potiza and 28 of the ceramics followed this form. The artifact seen above is relatively simple, but the more elaborate potizas in museum collections show that the two lobes actually represent female breasts and is termed mammiform. The two non-potiza ceramics recovered were pieces of bottles with different forms, one with a double-bulbous form and one with a modeled, figurine-like body. - - UCTP Taino News © 2007

*See more photos of the ceramics excavated at Chico Spring at:http://lisahopwood.com/ceramicphotos.html

Batu is a Taíno Ball Game

Did You Know: Batu is an ancient Taíno ceremonial ball game, which has been regaining popularity in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico over recent decades. Similar to ball games played by Indigenous Peoples in Mesoamerica, opposing teams use a rubber ball in ways reminiscent of volleyball but without a net or the use of their "hands." 15th-century European colonizers marveled at the agility of Taíno ball players, men and women, and the game's main piece of equipment - the rubber ball. Europeans had never before seen this Taíno innovation. The Taíno used the sap/latex from certain trees, together with plant fibers, to construct the ball. Batu was used for conflict resolution, as well as for the fulfillment of certain spiritual and secular community needs. Besides oral tradition, the importance of Batu in ancient Taíno society is affirmed by the number of ball courts or batei "uncovered" by archeologists throughout the islands. The batei (batey) or ceremonial grounds were used not only for the game of Batu but for community ceremonies called "areito". The revival of Batu ball games have been documented in Puerto Rico (Jayuya) and the Dominican Republic (Azua) since the 1970s. The community members in the Dominican Republic currently maintain three Batu leagues each with their own leaders.- UCTP Taino News (c) 2007 

Quiskeya is a Taino Name

Did You Know: Quisqueya or Kiskeia (Kiskeya) is one of the Taino names for the island of Hispaniola, or what is now the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The name, is said to mean "Mother of the Earth," and is still used to this day. Many Dominicans still refer to their island as La Isla Quisqueya, and refer to themselves as Quisqueyano. – © 2007 UCTP Taino News

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References

Wilson, S. M. (1990). Hispaniola: Caribbean chiefdoms in the age of Columbus. University of Alabama Press.

Rouse, I. (1992). The Tainos: Rise and decline of the people who greeted Columbus. Yale University Press.

Taíno Warriors

Did You Know: The Taíno were well-renowned for their observance of a culture of peace, yet they did not willingly succumb to Spanish colonization. In fact, not long after Columbus’s arrival, Taino people on the island of Bohio (now Haiti/Dominican Republic) successfully revolted against the first Spanish attempts to conquer their ancient island homeland. This Taino offensive against the Spanish invaders was carried out as early as in 1492 with the destruction of the Fort Navidad following Columbus’ return to Spain. Upon his return to the fort, Columbus learned that the Taino had killed all his men in a swift military operation led by Kaonabo (Caonabo), a chieftain or Kasike of Maguana, an indigenous territory near the center of the island. The rape of Taino women by the Spanish colonizers was among the main reasons the Taino turned to hostility. Kaonabo led a resistance against the Spaniards until he was finally captured in 1494 and imprisoned. Following Kaonabo's imprisonment, his brother Manikateh mounted an unsuccessful attempt to free him and was also imprisoned. According to Spanish sources, Kaonabo is said to have perished at sea while on route to face the Spanish Crown in 1496. - © 2007 UCTP Taino News 

References

Rouse, I. (1992). The Tainos: Rise and Decline of the People Who Greeted Columbus. Yale University Press.

Wilson, S. M. (1990). Hispaniola: Caribbean chiefdoms in the age of Columbus. University of Alabama Press. 

Being Called Indian...

Did You Know: The Taíno were the first Indigenous Peoples of the Western Hemisphere to be called “Indians”. According to historic sources the misnomer was applied by Christopher Columbus on his first trip to the Caribbean in 1492. This was the beginning of a legacy of “first” for this Caribbean Indigenous First Nation.The word "Taíno" means "good people" in the Taíno language (Tai = good and "no" = is a plural suffix used in this case to mean 'people').– © 2007 UCTP Taino News

References

Rouse, I. (1992). The Tainos: Rise and decline of the people who greeted Columbus. Yale University Press. 

Barreiro, J. (2001). Taíno: A novel. Arte Público Press.