The Taíno people of the island of Hispaniola were an Arawak people related to the inhabitants of the other islands in the Greater Antilles. At the time of Christopher Columbus’s invasion the island was divided into five Chiefdoms lead by Caciques or Paramount Chiefs who oversaw their Chiefdom’s villagers. The Taínos lived in settlements called Yucayeques. In the center of a typical village was a central plaza, used for various social activities, such as games, festivals, religious rituals, and public ceremonies.

 

One notable Cacique was a woman named Anacaona of the Maguana Chiefdom who dedicated her life to negotiating freedoms for her people from the Spaniards. Her name translates to “Golden Flower”. She was a poet, artist, and composer as well. Anacaona was an artistic warrior woman who was ultimately lured with the other Chiefdom Caciques into a trap by the Spaniards to participate in a tournament where she was ultimately hanged and the other Caciques were burned. The island of Hispaniola destabilized from leadership proceeded to be shaped into the Spanish ideal.

 

This piece is a commemoration for the brave Taíno warriors who stood their ground in the face of conquest and danger. They were a valiant people who defended their culture and way of life from foreign invaders and it’s important to note that they are not gone or forgotten. Taíno blood runs in the veins of many people including myself and there are groups of those people who dedicate their lives today to the preservation of native culture, language, and tradition. Today the conquered rise.