The Taíno People

Who Were the Taíno?

The Taíno were the indigenous Arawakan people who inhabited the Greater Antilles (Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico) and the Bahamas when Christopher Columbus arrived in 1492. They were sophisticated agriculturalists, master seafarers, and developed complex societies with hierarchical chiefdoms. The Taíno called their homeland "Bohío" and themselves "Taíno" meaning "good" or "noble people." Their encounter with Europeans marked the beginning of devastating demographic collapse, but Taíno cultural and genetic heritage persists throughout the Caribbean today.

Advanced Agriculture & Innovation

The Taíno were master agriculturalists who developed the conuco system—raised earth mounds that prevented soil erosion and improved drainage. They cultivated cassava (yuca), maize, sweet potato, beans, peppers, peanuts, cotton, and tobacco. Their agricultural innovations supported dense populations and were so effective that European colonizers adopted many of their techniques.

Word Legacy: Many English words come from Taíno language: hurricane (huracán), barbecue (barbacoa), hammock (hamaca), canoe (kanoa), tobacco (tabaco), maize (mahís), and iguana.

Social Structure & Spirituality

Taíno society was organized into chiefdoms called cacicazgos, led by caciques (chiefs). They practiced a matrilineal kinship system where lineage passed through the mother's line. Their religion centered on zemís—spirits inhabiting natural objects, ancestors, and carved representations. The Taíno held elaborate ceremonies called areítos, featuring music, dance, and storytelling that preserved their oral history.

Seafaring & Trade

Taíno were accomplished seafarers who built large dugout canoes capable of holding 100+ people and navigated between Caribbean islands for trade and communication. They established extensive trade networks exchanging gold, cotton, shell jewelry, and ceremonial objects across the Greater Antilles.

Modern Revival

Today, Taíno cultural identity is experiencing a renaissance, with descendant communities in Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic reclaiming their heritage. DNA studies confirm significant Taíno genetic continuity in Caribbean populations, challenging the "extinct" narrative. Cultural practices like cassava processing, traditional medicine, and spiritual beliefs continue in modified forms throughout the region.