Jamaica's national hero,
Rt. Excellent Sir Alexander Clarke Bustamante, 1884-1977.
Born William Alexander Clark to a Jamaican mother and an Irish planter in
the Jamaican parish of Westmorland. Bustamante claimed that his mother
was an Arawak (Taíno). He took the name Bustamante from an Iberian
sea captain who befriended him. His world travels took him to Cuba as a
policemen, the Spanish army, and to the United Sates as a dietitian in the
New York City hospital. He returned to Jamaica in 1932 and lead the
resistance to the British Colonial Government in 1938 where he mobilized
the island's working class. In 1943 he formed the Bustamante Industrial
Trade Union and the Jamaica Labour Party. From 1944 to 1954, "Busta",
as he was affectionately known, became Jamaica's first Premier. He was
knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1955. In 1962, when Jamaica gained
independence, this flamboyant leader became the island's first Prime
Minister.
Rt. Excellent Sir Alexander Clarke Bustamante, 1884-1977.
Born William Alexander Clark to a Jamaican mother and an Irish planter in
the Jamaican parish of Westmorland. Bustamante claimed that his mother
was an Arawak (Taíno). He took the name Bustamante from an Iberian
sea captain who befriended him. His world travels took him to Cuba as a
policemen, the Spanish army, and to the United Sates as a dietitian in the
New York City hospital. He returned to Jamaica in 1932 and lead the
resistance to the British Colonial Government in 1938 where he mobilized
the island's working class. In 1943 he formed the Bustamante Industrial
Trade Union and the Jamaica Labour Party. From 1944 to 1954, "Busta",
as he was affectionately known, became Jamaica's first Premier. He was
knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1955. In 1962, when Jamaica gained
independence, this flamboyant leader became the island's first Prime
Minister.
Founder of the United Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP),
Roberto Mucaro Borrero (Taíno)
"An historian, artist, musician, writer, and storyteller, Roberto Múcaro Borrero is
one of only a handful of actual Taíno descendants in the world who are
considered leading authorities on ancient Taíno Indian culture." -
Thirteen/WNET
Mr. Borrero's work, which is dedicated to his Boriken Taíno Indian heritage, has
been presented throughout the United States, notable institutions and at major
universities, colleges, and grade schools. He has also performed internationally
at numerous cultural festivals. Since 1992, Borrero has served on the United
Nations Non-Governmental Organization Committee (NGO) of the International
Year and Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples. In 2000, he was elected
Chairperson of this Special Committee of the Conference of Non-Governmental
Organizations (CONGO) accredited to the United Nations Economic and Social
Council. Mr. Borrero currently serves as the Alternative United Nations
representative for the UNDPI/ECOSOC accredited NGO, the Wittenberg Center
for Alternative Resources. He is the president of the United Confederation of
Taino People (UCTP) which has regional representatives and affiliates in
Borikén (Puerto Rico) United States, Kiskeia - Haiti (Dominican Republic -
Haiti), Ichirouagana (Barbados), Hawai'i, Kaieri (Trinidad and Tobago),
Guayanaka (Venezuela), Honorary Affiliation: Cuban Communities.
Roberto Múcaro Borrero is currently on staff at the American Museum of Natural
History as the Indigenous and Native American Program Coordinator for the
Department of Education.
Roberto Mucaro Borrero (Taíno)
"An historian, artist, musician, writer, and storyteller, Roberto Múcaro Borrero is
one of only a handful of actual Taíno descendants in the world who are
considered leading authorities on ancient Taíno Indian culture." -
Thirteen/WNET
Mr. Borrero's work, which is dedicated to his Boriken Taíno Indian heritage, has
been presented throughout the United States, notable institutions and at major
universities, colleges, and grade schools. He has also performed internationally
at numerous cultural festivals. Since 1992, Borrero has served on the United
Nations Non-Governmental Organization Committee (NGO) of the International
Year and Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples. In 2000, he was elected
Chairperson of this Special Committee of the Conference of Non-Governmental
Organizations (CONGO) accredited to the United Nations Economic and Social
Council. Mr. Borrero currently serves as the Alternative United Nations
representative for the UNDPI/ECOSOC accredited NGO, the Wittenberg Center
for Alternative Resources. He is the president of the United Confederation of
Taino People (UCTP) which has regional representatives and affiliates in
Borikén (Puerto Rico) United States, Kiskeia - Haiti (Dominican Republic -
Haiti), Ichirouagana (Barbados), Hawai'i, Kaieri (Trinidad and Tobago),
Guayanaka (Venezuela), Honorary Affiliation: Cuban Communities.
Roberto Múcaro Borrero is currently on staff at the American Museum of Natural
History as the Indigenous and Native American Program Coordinator for the
Department of Education.
Powhatan Museum
of Indigenous Arts and Culture
Taínos: Past & Present
| The Taínos were the first indigenous inhabitants of the Americas to experience the Columbian Encounter. Although their numbers were estimated to be in the millions at the time of first contact, they suffered great losses due to exploitation, enslavement, overwork, disease and cultural disruption. They are not extinct, as so many writers have proclaimed. Today, many people of Caribbean origin claim descent from both the Taíno and Island Carib. There has been a resurgence by Taíno descendants to recapture their indigenous Caribbean identity. This page is dedicated to notable Taínos, past and present . |
Early Taíno Heroes
Anacaona: Ana = flower, caona (ka-o-na) = gold. Taíno name for Golden Flower
Considered beautiful by the Spanish, she was born into a ruling class family. She was often
identified with her brother Bohekio (Bo-he-kee-yo), the cacique of Xaraguá (Ha-rag-wa), and
her husband Caonabó (Ka-oh-nah-bo) who was the cacique of Maguana (Ma-gwa-nah).
Both caciques headed large territories in the province of Bainoa (By-noah) which was
located in the eastern portion of the island of Kiskeia (Kiss-kay-ya), or Hispañola. She
became cacique after her brother died. Anacaona grew up in an area by the sea in today's
bay of Port-au-Prince, Haiti and when eligible, moved to the southern interior mountains in a
basin state of Maguana to marry its cacique, Caonabó.
Considered beautiful by the Spanish, she was born into a ruling class family. She was often
identified with her brother Bohekio (Bo-he-kee-yo), the cacique of Xaraguá (Ha-rag-wa), and
her husband Caonabó (Ka-oh-nah-bo) who was the cacique of Maguana (Ma-gwa-nah).
Both caciques headed large territories in the province of Bainoa (By-noah) which was
located in the eastern portion of the island of Kiskeia (Kiss-kay-ya), or Hispañola. She
became cacique after her brother died. Anacaona grew up in an area by the sea in today's
bay of Port-au-Prince, Haiti and when eligible, moved to the southern interior mountains in a
basin state of Maguana to marry its cacique, Caonabó.
Hatuey: The cacique of the province of Guahaba (Gonave), the small island located next to
Haiti (on Hispañola).
Hatuey had escaped the assassination of Anacaona and her caciques. He fled across the
channel to Cuba where he addressed the local Taínos. Hatuey held out a basket of gold as
he spoke about the Spanish. “Here is their Lord, whom they serve and adore! To have this
Lord they make us suffer. For Him they persecute us. For Him they have killed our parents,
brothers, all our people and our neighbors… and deprive us of all our possessions.”
The Spanish finally caught Hatuey, tied him to a stake and prepared to burn him. A priest
attending the execution, told Hatuey that if he became a Christian he would go to Heaven.
"Are there Christians in Heaven?" He asked. "Yes," replied the monk. "Then I do not want to
go there."
Today, Hatuey is a hero in Cuba.
Haiti (on Hispañola).
Hatuey had escaped the assassination of Anacaona and her caciques. He fled across the
channel to Cuba where he addressed the local Taínos. Hatuey held out a basket of gold as
he spoke about the Spanish. “Here is their Lord, whom they serve and adore! To have this
Lord they make us suffer. For Him they persecute us. For Him they have killed our parents,
brothers, all our people and our neighbors… and deprive us of all our possessions.”
The Spanish finally caught Hatuey, tied him to a stake and prepared to burn him. A priest
attending the execution, told Hatuey that if he became a Christian he would go to Heaven.
"Are there Christians in Heaven?" He asked. "Yes," replied the monk. "Then I do not want to
go there."
Today, Hatuey is a hero in Cuba.
Anacaona was a celebrated composer of ballads and narrative poems called areitos. As cacique of Xaragua, she
provided state welcomes for both Governor Nicolás de Ovando and Bartholomew Columbus. This was in spite of the
fact that Christopher Columbus had previously disposed of her husband. In keeping with Taíno diplomacy, her
generosity as a gracious host and diplomat was part of recorded history. When Bartholomew Columbus first entered
Guahaba. Guahaba is today's Gonave and was "the center of fine woodcraft in the time of Anacaona". Some of the 14
Guahaba. Guahaba is today's Gonave and was "the center of fine woodcraft in the time of Anacaona". Some of the 14
dujos were shipped to the Spanish court. The stools were described by Peter Martyr as magnificent examples of Taíno
dujos were shipped to the Spanish court. The stools were described by Peter Martyr as magnificent examples of Taíno
craftsmanship.
provided state welcomes for both Governor Nicolás de Ovando and Bartholomew Columbus. This was in spite of the
fact that Christopher Columbus had previously disposed of her husband. In keeping with Taíno diplomacy, her
generosity as a gracious host and diplomat was part of recorded history. When Bartholomew Columbus first entered
Guahaba. Guahaba is today's Gonave and was "the center of fine woodcraft in the time of Anacaona". Some of the 14
Guahaba. Guahaba is today's Gonave and was "the center of fine woodcraft in the time of Anacaona". Some of the 14
dujos were shipped to the Spanish court. The stools were described by Peter Martyr as magnificent examples of Taíno
dujos were shipped to the Spanish court. The stools were described by Peter Martyr as magnificent examples of Taíno
craftsmanship.
19th to 21st Century Taínos
Author/ Native American Activist,
Jose Barreiro, Ph.D. (Guajiro)
Born in 1948 in Camaguay, Cuba he holds a Ph.D. in American Studies from the State University of New York
at Buffalo. In 1993 he published the acclaimed historical novel The Indian Chronicles, a fictional story of the
Taíno contact with Europeans. He is also the author and editor of many articles as well as Indian Roots of
Americas journal and is editor-in-chief of Akwe:kon Press, Cornell University.
Jose Barreiro, Ph.D. (Guajiro)
Born in 1948 in Camaguay, Cuba he holds a Ph.D. in American Studies from the State University of New York
at Buffalo. In 1993 he published the acclaimed historical novel The Indian Chronicles, a fictional story of the
Taíno contact with Europeans. He is also the author and editor of many articles as well as Indian Roots of
Americas journal and is editor-in-chief of Akwe:kon Press, Cornell University.
Champion Welsh Athlete/TV Sports Commentator,
Colin Ray Jackson (Yamaye)
Born in 1967 in Cardiff, Wales, the sprinter and hurdling champion is of Jamaican parentage. He took part in a
BBC TV episode on the genealogy series "Who Do You Think You Are?" where the discovery was made that
Jackson is 55% African, 38% European and 7% Taíno. "I feel really proud that I'm still linked genetically to the
first settlers of Jamaica," he said.
Colin Ray Jackson (Yamaye)
Born in 1967 in Cardiff, Wales, the sprinter and hurdling champion is of Jamaican parentage. He took part in a
BBC TV episode on the genealogy series "Who Do You Think You Are?" where the discovery was made that
Jackson is 55% African, 38% European and 7% Taíno. "I feel really proud that I'm still linked genetically to the
first settlers of Jamaica," he said.
Artist/Educator,
Michael Auld (Yamaye)
A nember of the United Confederation of Taino People (UCTP), Michael Auld was born in Kingston, Jamaica in
1943, Auld's Yamaye Taíno ancestry is through his maternal grandmother. He has shown his artworks widely in
one man and group exhibitions. He is a writer/folklorist, who, for 36 years in the United States has taught
sculpture, illustration, graphic design and art history from the elementary to post-graduate levels. His
sculptures (above) and prints are the result of conscious efforts to incorporate indigenous Caribbean aesthetics
in his works. His website dedicated to Caribbean folk hero Anasnsi the Spider, is at AnansiStories.com
Michael Auld and his wife, Rose Powhatan (Pamunkey/Tauxenent) created and designed this website.
Michael Auld (Yamaye)
A nember of the United Confederation of Taino People (UCTP), Michael Auld was born in Kingston, Jamaica in
1943, Auld's Yamaye Taíno ancestry is through his maternal grandmother. He has shown his artworks widely in
one man and group exhibitions. He is a writer/folklorist, who, for 36 years in the United States has taught
sculpture, illustration, graphic design and art history from the elementary to post-graduate levels. His
sculptures (above) and prints are the result of conscious efforts to incorporate indigenous Caribbean aesthetics
in his works. His website dedicated to Caribbean folk hero Anasnsi the Spider, is at AnansiStories.com
Michael Auld and his wife, Rose Powhatan (Pamunkey/Tauxenent) created and designed this website.
SCULPTURES:
- "Anacaona", cherry wood, parrot feathers, conch shell, gold leaf, vines.
- "Hatuey" , cedar.
Copyrighted 2007 by Auld/Powhatan
Fidel Castro Ruz
President of Cuba was born into a large, prosperous Cuban farming family in
Mayari, near Brian, Cuba, on August 13, 1926 or 1927. He overthrew military
leader and dictator General Fulgencio Batista and on January 1, 1959, he took
power of the largest island in the Caribbean. This controversial leader recently
admitted Taíno ancestry and is the second Caribbean head of state after
Jamaica's Alexander Bustamante to connect himself to the region's indigenous
people.
President of Cuba was born into a large, prosperous Cuban farming family in
Mayari, near Brian, Cuba, on August 13, 1926 or 1927. He overthrew military
leader and dictator General Fulgencio Batista and on January 1, 1959, he took
power of the largest island in the Caribbean. This controversial leader recently
admitted Taíno ancestry and is the second Caribbean head of state after
Jamaica's Alexander Bustamante to connect himself to the region's indigenous
people.
(L.) "Jamaica-born Taíno, Olive Moxam-Dennis (right), chats with Taino Kacike, Jorge
Baracutey Estevez, Dominican Republic Taíno who lives in Connecticut, USA, at the sixth
Charles Town International Maroon Conference in Portland in 2014."
(R.)."Olive Moxam-Dennis said though she always knew she was Taíno). But never
discussed. It was her daughter, Dr Erica Neeganagwedgin (right), who helped her to
embrace her Taíno heritage”,-- Jamaica Gleaner, Saturday , July 5, 2014
Ms. Moxam-Dennis' reluctance to identify as Taino is also true in the other Caribbean
territories as well as in the United States. Some Taino descendants with DNA proof of
heredity from the indigenous Caribbean Amerindians are currently undergoing attacks of
skepticism for asserting their cultural identity. The controversy comes from some academics
who make the traditional erroneous statements of "extinction of the Taino people, soon after
the arrival of Columbus" . However, Taino descendants are fighting back by gathering
undeniable proof of survival.
Baracutey Estevez, Dominican Republic Taíno who lives in Connecticut, USA, at the sixth
Charles Town International Maroon Conference in Portland in 2014."
(R.)."Olive Moxam-Dennis said though she always knew she was Taíno). But never
discussed. It was her daughter, Dr Erica Neeganagwedgin (right), who helped her to
embrace her Taíno heritage”,-- Jamaica Gleaner, Saturday , July 5, 2014
Ms. Moxam-Dennis' reluctance to identify as Taino is also true in the other Caribbean
territories as well as in the United States. Some Taino descendants with DNA proof of
heredity from the indigenous Caribbean Amerindians are currently undergoing attacks of
skepticism for asserting their cultural identity. The controversy comes from some academics
who make the traditional erroneous statements of "extinction of the Taino people, soon after
the arrival of Columbus" . However, Taino descendants are fighting back by gathering
undeniable proof of survival.
Fidel Castro Ruz
President of Cuba was born into a large, prosperous Cuban farming family in
Mayari, near Brian, Cuba, on August 13, 1926 or 1927. He overthrew military
leader and dictator General Fulgencio Batista and on January 1, 1959, he took
power of the largest island in the Caribbean. This controversial leader recently
admitted Taíno ancestry and is the second Caribbean head of state after
Jamaica's Alexander Bustamante to connect himself to the region's indigenous
people.
President of Cuba was born into a large, prosperous Cuban farming family in
Mayari, near Brian, Cuba, on August 13, 1926 or 1927. He overthrew military
leader and dictator General Fulgencio Batista and on January 1, 1959, he took
power of the largest island in the Caribbean. This controversial leader recently
admitted Taíno ancestry and is the second Caribbean head of state after
Jamaica's Alexander Bustamante to connect himself to the region's indigenous
people.