A PUBLICATION OF ODAC UK

TAINOS & CARIBS

Rediscovering Heritage

OLD TIME COOKINGRecipes From Our

Histor ical Cookbook

ar too much of the history and culture of the African and Caribbean people has been misstated, understated, ar too much of the history and culture of the African and Caribbean people has been misstated, understated, ar too much of the history and culture of the African

and in some cases, deliberately destroyed or omitted. and Caribbean people has been misstated, understated, and in some cases, deliberately destroyed or omitted. and Caribbean people has been misstated, understated,

The onus is with these communities to recover, and in some cases, deliberately destroyed or omitted. The onus is with these communities to recover, and in some cases, deliberately destroyed or omitted.

rediscover and promote their own heritage.

The Art of Heritage, Caribbean Origins festival is an effort in this regard. It endeavours to highlight and promote one The Art of Heritage, Caribbean Origins festival is an effort in this regard. It endeavours to highlight and promote one The Art of Heritage, Caribbean Origins festival is an effort

aspect of the rich history, namely that of the Tainos and in this regard. It endeavours to highlight and promote one aspect of the rich history, namely that of the Tainos and in this regard. It endeavours to highlight and promote one

Caribs. These were indigenous people who fi rst settled in aspect of the rich history, namely that of the Tainos and Caribs. These were indigenous people who fi rst settled in aspect of the rich history, namely that of the Tainos and

the Caribbean, long before the arrival of Columbus. Caribs. These were indigenous people who fi rst settled in the Caribbean, long before the arrival of Columbus. Caribs. These were indigenous people who fi rst settled in

Art of Heritage will be a fun event celebrating the heritage of the Tainos and Caribs. There will be lots to see and Art of Heritage will be a fun event celebrating the heritage of the Tainos and Caribs. There will be lots to see and Art of Heritage will be a fun event celebrating the heritage

do. Additionally, the project will have longer lasting outcomes such project will have longer lasting outcomes such

do. Additionally, the project will have longer lasting outcomes such

do. Additionally, the

as a multimedia CD, this activity booklet, an project will have longer lasting outcomes such as a multimedia CD, this activity booklet, an project will have longer lasting outcomes such

animation based on the story of a young Taino as a multimedia CD, this activity booklet, an animation based on the story of a young Taino as a multimedia CD, this activity booklet, an

boy, and other general educational materials.boy, and other general educational materials.animation based on the story of a young Taino boy, and other general educational materials.animation based on the story of a young Taino

Art of Heritage is the culmination of the efforts of a large number of individuals and Art of Heritage is the culmination of the efforts of a large number of individuals and Art of Heritage is the culmination of the

organisations to whom ODAC UK, owes a deep efforts of a large number of individuals and organisations to whom ODAC UK, owes a deep efforts of a large number of individuals and

gratitude for their contributions of time and organisations to whom ODAC UK, owes a deep gratitude for their contributions of time and organisations to whom ODAC UK, owes a deep

resources.

I would especially like to mention Bryn Hyacinth, Mitch Miller, Henry Hughes-Davis, I would especially like to mention Bryn Hyacinth, Mitch Miller, Henry Hughes-Davis, I would especially like to mention Bryn

Arlene Sinclair, Ruth-Anne Lynch and Tameka Hyacinth, Mitch Miller, Henry Hughes-Davis, Arlene Sinclair, Ruth-Anne Lynch and Tameka Hyacinth, Mitch Miller, Henry Hughes-Davis,

Empson who have been particularly generous Arlene Sinclair, Ruth-Anne Lynch and Tameka Empson who have been particularly generous Arlene Sinclair, Ruth-Anne Lynch and Tameka

with their time and expertise. Empson who have been particularly generous with their time and expertise. Empson who have been particularly generous

I would also like to thank our main sponsors and partners including Heritage Lottery Fund, I would also like to thank our main sponsors and partners including Heritage Lottery Fund, I would also like to thank our main sponsors

The Cuming Museum, The Horniman Museum, and partners including Heritage Lottery Fund, The Cuming Museum, The Horniman Museum, and partners including Heritage Lottery Fund,

Southwark Council, Arts-Express, Western The Cuming Museum, The Horniman Museum, Southwark Council, Arts-Express, Western The Cuming Museum, The Horniman Museum,

Union, Gleaner UK, The Voice, Choice FM, Peckham Academy, Brixton Base, Queen Mother Moore School, Peckham Library, Peckham Academy, Brixton Base, Queen Mother Moore School, Peckham Library, Peckham Academy, Brixton Base, Queen

Southwark Arts Forum and Radio Peckham.Mother Moore School, Peckham Library, Southwark Arts Forum and Radio Peckham.Mother Moore School, Peckham Library,

Finally to you the patrons, we hope you fi nd it an enjoyable and educational experience.Finally to you the patrons, we hope you fi nd it an enjoyable and educational experience.Finally to you the patrons, we hope you fi nd it

Andrew NelsonChairman, ODAC UK, November 2005November 2005

Publication Copyright 2005 ODAC UK Ltd.

Hi! This pull out mini-mag is your key to a huge amount of knowledge about the Tainos and the Caribs, native peoples of the Caribbean. Their history is actually what Art of Heritage 2005 is all about. Have fun with the activities based on the Taino-Carib Notebook. Along the way you’ll be guided by a few characters from this year’s feature film-ARU & THE GAIAC TAINO. Meet Huri, Maboya, Aru and Yuri. Enjoy!

knowledge about the Tainos and the Caribs, native peoples of the Caribbean. Their history is actually what Art of Heritage 2005 is all about. Have fun with the activities based on the Taino-Carib Notebook. Along the way you’ll be guided by a few characters from this year’s feature film-ARU & THE GAIAC

knowledge about the Tainos and the Caribs, native peoples of the Caribbean. Their history is actually what Art of Heritage 2005 is all about. Have fun with the activities based on the Taino-Carib Notebook. Along the way you’ll be guided by a few characters from this year’s feature film-ARU & THE GAIAC

In those days Arawidi, the Sun Spirit, came down upon the earth in fashion like unto In those days Arawidi, the Sun Spirit, came down upon the earth in fashion like unto man. And it came to pass that after fi shing in his favorite creek, he made a dam, and man. And it came to pass that after fi shing in his favorite creek, he made a dam, and said ‘This creek must not run dry lest when I come again I fi nd no fi shes here.’ The said ‘This creek must not run dry lest when I come again I fi nd no fi shes here.’ The otters heard his words and broke his dam and let the water fl ow forth. When Arawidi otters heard his words and broke his dam and let the water fl ow forth. When Arawidi otters heard his words and broke his dam and let the water fl ow forth. When Arawidi returned and saw the destruction, he called to him the woodpecker and made him returned and saw the destruction, he called to him the woodpecker and made him guardian of the water, and to this day, the woodpecker fl ies low over the little creeks, guardian of the water, and to this day, the woodpecker fl ies low over the little creeks, fulfi lling the charge of Arawidi, that there always be water for the fi shes.fulfi lling the charge of Arawidi, that there always be water for the fi shes.

Now it fell on a day, that Arawidi, while passing through the sky heard loud tapping. Now it fell on a day, that Arawidi, while passing through the sky heard loud tapping. Hastening to the spot he saw the fi erce alligator, and seizing him with his mighty hand, Hastening to the spot he saw the fi erce alligator, and seizing him with his mighty hand, Hastening to the spot he saw the fi erce alligator, and seizing him with his mighty hand, he smote the reptile with a hard club upon the head and tail. The alligator cried out, he smote the reptile with a hard club upon the head and tail. The alligator cried out, he smote the reptile with a hard club upon the head and tail. The alligator cried out, he smote the reptile with a hard club upon the head and tail. The alligator cried out, ‘O, Arawidi, slay me not, if thou wilt spare me, I will give thee a damsel fair to look ‘O, Arawidi, slay me not, if thou wilt spare me, I will give thee a damsel fair to look ‘O, Arawidi, slay me not, if thou wilt spare me, I will give thee a damsel fair to look ‘O, Arawidi, slay me not, if thou wilt spare me, I will give thee a damsel fair to look ‘O, Arawidi, slay me not, if thou wilt spare me, I will give thee a damsel fair to look ‘O, Arawidi, slay me not, if thou wilt spare me, I will give thee a damsel fair to look ‘O, Arawidi, slay me not, if thou wilt spare me, I will give thee a damsel fair to look ‘O, Arawidi, slay me not, if thou wilt spare me, I will give thee a damsel fair to look upon, to be thy bride.’upon, to be thy bride.’upon, to be thy bride.’

So Arawidi left off from beating the alligator, who forthwith called him to his friends So Arawidi left off from beating the alligator, who forthwith called him to his friends So Arawidi left off from beating the alligator, who forthwith called him to his friends So Arawidi left off from beating the alligator, who forthwith called him to his friends So Arawidi left off from beating the alligator, who forthwith called him to his friends the water-spirits, who sought and found only a comely maiden of wondrous charms, the water-spirits, who sought and found only a comely maiden of wondrous charms, the water-spirits, who sought and found only a comely maiden of wondrous charms, the water-spirits, who sought and found only a comely maiden of wondrous charms, who was placed in Arawidi’s arms to be his bride. who was placed in Arawidi’s arms to be his bride. who was placed in Arawidi’s arms to be his bride.

No more did Arawidi smite the alligator in his wrath, but to this day can be seen the marks of that fi rst beating indented on his head and notched along his tail. 1

rawidi and the lligator rawidi and the lligator rawidi and the lligator

• Tainos were the most culturally developed people living in the Caribbean islands of Cuba, the Bahamas, Hispaniola, Jamaica and Puerto Rico at the time of the Spanish Conquest in 1492. Although many different types of societies lived by growing root crops, fi shing, gathering and hunting small games, not all had reached the chiefdom stage of the Taino.

• The earliest Caribbean farmers were from the Orinocan-Amazonian rainforest areas. In Venezuela, these groups were able to adapt to life in a coastal region.

• The daily life of the Taino took place within different settlement types. These were: those which

were organized in a circular pattern around

a central plaza; those which were made up of which were made up of two intersecting streets; and the smallest ones, made up of only a few bohios (homes) perched high on top of a steep river bank.

• Taino labour was divided according to gender and age. Women did most of the daily work. Women tended the fi elds until harvest, prepared food, fetched water and cared for domestic animals. Pottery making and food gathering were also female tasks.

• Taino people fi shed with nets and weirs, bone, shell hooks, spears and sometimes with bows and arrows.

• Dog breeding for food and hunting purposes was an important Taino activity. A larger species was very important for hunting hutia, a large rodent which only appeared at nights.

• Caribs spoke more than one language. In addition to a Cariban language they spoke a language they spoke a

trade language, which was used only in the men’s house and on expeditions to the mainland.

• Carib women practiced a form of agriculture, which appears to have been similar to that of the Tainos. They also gathered wild fruits and vegetables.

• Carib villages did not contain plazas, ball courts, temples or other public structures. This differed from the villages of the Tainos.

• Caribs emphasized warfare and trade, where as the Tainos emphasized religion and burial customs.

• Caribs elected temporary war chiefs to lead their raids. The Tainos on the other hand, had hereditary chiefs.

• Caribs were not savages, as has sometimes been assumed because of their ritualistic cannibalism.

Peeny Wally Asks:Did You Know?

2

Tainos were the most

a central plaza; those a central plaza; those trade language, which trade language, which

Use the Notebook facts on the previous page to work these Crossword and Find-a-Word puzzles.previous page to work these Crossword and Find-a-Word puzzles.previous page to work these Crossword and Find-a-Word puzzles.

ACROSSACROSS4. Main animal bred for hunting5. Caribs emphasized warfare and _______8. Tainos emphasized _____ and burial customs10. Shell hooks, nets and weirs were used for ________11. The Caribs had ________ chiefs lead their raids

DOWN1. Type of Taino home2. A god common to Tainos and Caribs3. Large rodent frequently hunted by tainos6. The area from which most early Caribbean farmers originated7. _______ chiefs lead the Taino raids9. The type of fl oor in Taino homes

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4. main animal bred forhunting

5. Caribs emphasizedwarfare and _______

8. Tainos emphasized_____ and burial customs

10. Shell hooks, nets andweirs were used for________

11. the Caribs had ________chiefs lead their raids

1. type of Taino home2. a god common to Tainos

and Caribs3. large rodent frequently

hunted by tainos6. the area from which most

early Caribbean farmersoriginated

7. _______ chiefs lead theTaino raids

9. the type of floor in Tainohomes

Across Down

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2 3 4

5 6

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caribbohio

caciquetainohutia

indigenoushunt

amerindiancaribbean

plazazemi

These two characters from the Art of Heritage

fi lm Aru & the Gaiac Taino, need some

colour!

Remember to see how your masterpiece compares

with the actual characters in

the movie.

These two characters from the Art of Heritage

fi lm Aru & the Gaiac Taino, need some

Remember to see how your masterpiece compares

with the actual characters in

the movie.

fi lm Aru & the

Remember to see how your

with the actual

4

ainos and Caribs ainos and Caribs were indigenous were indigenous A m e r i n d i a n s A m e r i n d i a n s who inhabited

much of the Caribbean region prior to the arrival of Europeans.

The Tainos inhabited The Tainos inhabited the Greater Antilles. At the time of the At the time of the arrival of Columbus in 1492 there were fi ve Taino Kingdoms on Hispaniola each of these being led by a Chief or Cacique.

The Caribs occupied The Caribs occupied the Lesser Antilles. They were more They were more warlike compared warlike compared with the Tainos with the Tainos and indeed a warrior and indeed a warrior tradition was an tradition was an important part of their important part of their culture. They came culture. They came to represent the last to represent the last bastion of resistance to bastion of resistance to European Colonisation.

Quite soon after the Quite soon after the arrival of the Spanish arrival of the Spanish and other Europeans, and other Europeans, once fl ourishing once fl ourishing populations of the these populations of the these

peoples estimated in the peoples estimated in the order several million, order several million, suffered rapid decline suffered rapid decline

to a few thousand. This to a few thousand. This was as a result of several was as a result of several factors, in particular factors, in particular the brutality of the the brutality of the colonial experience colonial experience and the diseases which and the diseases which the colonists brought the colonists brought with them such as with them such as smallpox for which the smallpox for which the Amerindians had no Amerindians had no immunity.

As with many other As with many other indigenous peoples, indigenous peoples,

European colonisers European colonisers came to portray Caribs came to portray Caribs and Tainos as savages and Tainos as savages

and barbarians.

These labels were These labels were used as justifi cations used as justifi cations for the subjugation, for the subjugation, e n s l a v e m e n t e n s l a v e m e n t and genocide of and genocide of indigenous races. In indigenous races. In the case of the Caribs, the case of the Caribs, they also were said to they also were said to be cannibals. Again, be cannibals. Again, this was a convenient this was a convenient exaggeration of the exaggeration of the custom of Carib custom of Carib warriors to consume warriors to consume a small portion of the a small portion of the fl esh of their defeated fl esh of their defeated enemies.

Groups of Tainos and Groups of Tainos and Caribs have managed to Caribs have managed to survive to the present survive to the present day such as Tainos in day such as Tainos in Puerto Rico and Guyana Puerto Rico and Guyana and Caribs in Dominica. and Caribs in Dominica. They represent an early They represent an early and important part of and important part of Caribbean heritage.

The Caribs occupied the Lesser Antilles. They were more warlike compared with the Tainos

fl esh of their defeated enemies.

Groups of Tainos and

Modern Caribs making a boat in the traditonal manner.

The cassava is peeled and grated...

The excess water is squeezed out through a towel...

The cassava is shaped and rounded and fl ipped until browned.

The lumps are sieved out. Once done the cassava is poured on a hot (fl at) pan...

Making Cassava BreadMaking Cassava BreadMaking Cassava BreadMaking Cassava Bread